Fustany interviews Bora Aksu right after London Fashion Week and his amazing Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

F: How did you start your journey as a fashion designer?

B: I don’t really think there was a time I thought that was it and I wanted to be a fashion designer. It all developed very naturally since I was little. I know it sounds a bit of a cliché but I had been drawing people around me and I always have been enjoying drawings since then. I think it was my teen years when my interest in fashion developed fully and my drawings started turning into fashion illustrations. That was the time I was fascinated with these 2D drawings and how they can actually become 3D objects. Studying at Central Saint Martins under Louise Wilson's direction and winning a sponsorship award helped me to start my own label.

F: Coming from a country full of culture, how did that affect your designs?

B: Coming from a rich cultural heritage and living in such cultural diversity affects my design language; there are both clashes and contrasts. My design language is about finding a balance point between both.

F: What was your inspiration for your Spring/Summer 2010 collection in London Fashion Week? And how did people react?

B: I was inspired by "Little Prince" by Oscar Wilde and prom dresses after prom night is over. I have this urge of taking the concept of cliché beauty and turn it into a different level of beauty.  My Spring/Summer 2010 collection defines and challenges beauty in a new way.

There is an abstract way of seeing the details rather than the obvious overall look which also inspired me for this collection. Girl from David Hamilton photos meets with Blade Runner in a warm Sunday afternoon and listening to the band KISS while painting her prom dress with black brush strokes; gold, lace, silk chiffon, organza all hidden under thin layers of black shadows.

The delicate detailing comes in between the panels. Details such as lacey knits, appliqués are used not to adorn but to form. The inspiration for the intricate tight patterns comes from the 70’s band Kiss infamous make up. Standing in six-inch platform shoes, clad in shiny shoulder-padded costumes, and faces caked with Japanese Kabuki-styled makeup, the four-piece KISS took the rock and roll world by storm in the mid-1970s;hiding their true selves behind the intricate black make up.

The show had such an amazing respond and such great reviews that encourage me towards the way I am heading.

F: What is Bora Aksu's signature style?

B: I love working with contrasts, it's always a challenge to find a balance point of different contrasts. I really enjoy it when people around me and friends wear my designs, mixing them with their personality. Of course it's amazing to design for catwalk shows but the designs can only become real when people apply it to their everyday life.

F: If you had to pick one major accomplishment, what would it be?

B: Winning the New Generation Award from British Fashion Council for four times.

F: Tell us more about your upcoming collection, collaborations or exciting new projects?

B: I enjoy the collaborations with artists from different fields. An example for that was the collaboration with Artisan Armours for Autumn/Winter 2007-2008 fashion show, as that was an excellent craftsmanship. Another collaboration I enjoyed was with Converse for Spring/Summer 2007; a true challenging project.

In terms of people; working with Tori Amos for her "Bee Keeper" world tour and designing her stage costumes, which was truly inspiring.

I have a new line called “Bora Aksu Cocktail Line” based on cocktail dresses with different ways of wear ability. This is the latest and most exciting project as it's more about the function rather than ideas and concept.

F: What was the major challenge you faced as a designer?

B: I believe that a designer needs to be very laid back and work on what they believe in. A major challenge as a fashion designer is refreshing yourself every season without losing your signature style; repeating yourself or creating something that’s not reflecting your style is a major challenge.

F: You have designed so many unique and elegant pieces. Can you tell us which one is closest to your heart?

B: Each collection reflects a different mood and style of what I am experiencing in that particular time. It's hard to separate them from one another. My designs are part of a journey; each specific item has a meaning and place in this journey which is irreplaceable. Garments have an ability to create a visual language. I love the way fashion works because it's about creativity but also about function. When you have the right balance between both, the perfect design is created.

F: Three things you can't live without would be…

B: Peace, Creativity and God

F: A woman wearing Bora Aksu's designs should feel...

B: Romantic with a dark edge.

For more details about Bora Aksu, check out his website http://www.boraaksu.com