Every designer has a different story to tell. Behind each collection lies a unique perspective shaped by personal experiences, artistic influences and years of craftsmanship. For Turkish fashion designer Meltem Özbek, that journey began long before she entered the fashion industry.
We met Özbek at Hodan, a recently opened venue in Istanbul's Nişantaşı district, where she reflected on the milestones that transformed her from a student of international relations into a designer whose collections now reach international markets.
Growing up with art
Although Özbek initially studied international relations, she says art and fashion were always part of her life.
"I grew up surrounded by art. My mother was a painter who taught me to truly observe the world, while my grandmother was a seamstress. Drawing, colors, fabrics and creativity were part of my childhood from the very beginning," she said.
