THE ‘TURKISH DESIGNERS’ SHOW NYFW F/W20

Under the simple moniker ‘Turkish Designers’, Asli Filinta, Deniz Berdan, Simay Bulba and Hakan Akkaya, each showed strong visions that truly asserted their rightful place in fashions is on the runways of NYFW at Spring Studios, Gallery II.

The show, held on Tuesday, February 11th @ 7:00 PM, was generously underwritten by the Turkish Government as well as the Turkish Textile Council.

Designer Asli Filinta showed a collection of easy, draped, tunic inspired ensembles that has a decidedly nomadic feel. The fabrications represented a mélange of colors and textures that seemed at times clashing and at other times harmonic, but always inspired.

Deniz Berdan, mother and daughter team, showcase a very sporty collection. Neon was a large component in the color story, whether it was featured in the linings of hoods or parts of the pants and jackets alike. For fun and intrigue, the designing duo created jewelry that mounted on the models’ faces, heads and even in their mouths to lend an other-worldly, almost alien intrigue.

Creative director, Simay Bulbul offered an easy, inventive take on traditional evening wear that was versatile enough to be worn both day and night. Sheer organza and Chantilly lace were the staples of this monochromatic collection that drew cheers from the crowd as it undoubtedly will with the retailers.

Hakan Akkaya, after his solo showing of his Amish Punk inspired collection a few days prior in NYFW, presented his capsule line of leather and furs in bright metallic hues. Each model walked the runway with full confidence and the audience was visibility excited and surprised to see this side of Hakan. Who traditionally shows only collection in black and white. Fun note… Hakan’s right hand Atelier Assistant, Hilal was one of his models, making her runway debut… fun!

Watch the entire Turkish Designers’NYFW runway here.

FASHIONADO

HAKAN AKKAYA: “JUSTICE” COLLECTION NYFW FALL 2020

Photographer credits: Elvia Gobbo

Hakan Akkaya makes a strong statement of feminine strength and cultural melding for Fall/Winter 2020-2021.

 As the crowd looked on in amused awe, forty-five models made their way around the lengthy U-shaped runway at Pier 59, Stage C. It was, in a phrase, “a provocative feast for the fashionable-eyed observer.” The Istanbul based designer, now a fixture on the runways of NYFW, filled the cavernous, raw, black space to the brim with an audience dressed to impress, perfectly complementing the show-stopping looks that walked ON the runway.

 Akkaya stated his inspiration as “Amish Meets Punk”. The inspiration was clear throughout the collection from the first look to the last. Akkaya created a collection that reinterprets the iconic clothing of the Amish sect who, to this day, turn their backs to the Modern Age, while merging it with the attitude and detailing of the Punk Subculture. The cameras & phones went a-flutter when the key looks appeared (48 in total!). In his words, Hakan Akkaya says, “this season, my collection attracts all of the attention of femicide, justice, revolt and equality. Women who rock the runway – Women who rock the world!”

 The collection also strongly embraced the most note-worthy trend of recent fashion weeks –  androgyny. Many of Akkaya’s men wore dresses, skirts and tunic blouses while many of his women donned suiting and collared shirts, each referencing the garb traditionally found in the opposite genders’ closets, yet there was something different about the trend in the hands of a designer of Hakan Akkaya’s level of talent… the looks actually seemed like they have a chance of being worn as designed, unlike many others creating in this vein.

 Hardware also played a major role in defining the collection with garments pierced in a wide variety of places like caps of shoulder, up and down the legs and princess seams of jackets and dresses, as well as through the fingertips of the black latex gloves that completed nearly every look. The hardware was not strictly ornamental, but rather crossed the line to integrally function as part of the garment itself.

 As the finale walk-around commenced, the entire audience shrieked their approval, only to ramp it up even more when designer himself, Hakan Akkaya, appeared, nearly floating with pride as he blew kisses to his legions of fans, new & old alike, all the while wearing a black lace mask, which he tied onto his face during a stop on the runway. The crowd approved and Akkaya soaked up every single crack of applause and adoring shriek in a manner that is becoming his trademark.

FASHIONADO

HAKAN AKKAYA’S GLAM ROCK COLLECTION – NYFW FALL/WINTER 2019

Was it a 1970’s “Glam Rock” concert or the Hakan Akkaya Fall 2019 collection?  That was the question on everyone’s mind as they sat along the U-shaped runway at Spring Studios on Sunday.  The Istanbul based designer presented his 3rd collection as part of NYFW in the cavernous Gallery I.  The massive space was filled to the brim with an audience dressed to impress, perfectly complementing the show-stopping looks that walked.

 Black, White & Metallic Silver, with a small dash of Metallic Pinks thrown in as an accent, made up every look of the collection of a Women’s & Men’s full designer range.  The cameras & phones went a-flutter when the key looks appeared.  The various looks in Black with Silver studs & spikes for Women proved to be audience favorites as did the range of inventive, body-con dresses, some with incredible sleeve and super strong shoulder details.  A range of Black & White, bold-striped faux furs for both Men & Women had every person in the room taking notice. 

 As the finale walk-around commenced, the entire audience shrieked their approval, only to ramp it up even more when designer himself, Hakan Akkaya, walked the entire runway, nearly floating with pride as he blew kisses to his legions of fans, new & old alike.

FASHIONADO