Why Dilara Fındıkoğlu thinks you should wear a corset to work
Hello, enfant terrible of London fashion. Is that a title you own?
Well-behaved girls never make history. It’s a funny, cringy saying, but it’s kind of true. I was never well-behaved in my family either, but what is well behaved? Rules are there so we can break and rewrite them. The 2020s are all about that, like the 1920s were too. I feel like it’s a new energy.
What’s got you most excited for this year?
I’m calling 2024 the year of the collabs for me — with brands and amazing people. You will have to wait and see who with. We’ve also shot our autumn/winter campaign with an amazing model that I have loved since I was a teenager. She’s our new face, and it’s coming out at the end of this month.
Can we expect a show in February at London Fashion Week?
That’s what we’re working for! Last season we had to cancel two weeks before, due to lack of funding.
How was it missing last season?
It was not very easy. There’s always this fear that if you don’t do a show then people are going to forget about you. There’s the old saying ‘you’re as good as your last collection’, but I don’t think it is true. You have your history, you have all those things that you’ve done.
What’s the best and the worst thing about showing in London?
The best thing is being in the most creative city in the world. I moved here to be a part of it and now I’m a part of it and that means a lot. The worst thing is you spend a lot of money.
What can we expect if you do?
Expect the unexpected. Something really, really exciting. Expect feelings, not only a fashion show. It’s never only about fashion, never only about clothes.
You dressed Madonna, Cardi B and Emma Corrin last year. Who is topping the ’24 bucket list?
Hunter Schafer. I would love to make something custom for her. And I’ve been a huge fan of Angelina Jolie for years and years.
Your Dark Versailles Halloween do was the best party last year.
Okay, in 2024 I have to do another Halloween party. I want to make it a tradition.
You sent a 48-page PDF reference deck with the dress code. Why is it important for people to dress to impress?
Every day we wear boring clothes. If I am trying to create a world, I really expect people to make so much effort so we can all be transported. It’s so important when you’re going to a party with a dress code to show respect — otherwise, what the f***? Please don’t come.
I’d never seen so many corsets in my life. When is the perfect time to wear one?
Whenever you want — going to the shop, to work, a costume party. There should not be any limitation to your corset environment.