Ay Moda April 2024 Issue 1

AY MODA

TURKISH FASHION TURKISH FASHION TURKISH FASHION

ARTS FESTIVAL ARTS FESTIVAL

ARTS

We are London’s first ever Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival. Our event has been organised as a means of celebrating Turkish fashion and arts a century on from the establishment of the modern-day Republic of Turkiye.

As part of our show, we will be showcasing the great work of our Turkish fashion designers and their prestigious collections. Including some traditional outfits with a modern twist. In our second festival, we hope to showcase the evolution of Turkish fashion and arts throughout history, from the prerepublican Ottoman era to present-day trends, brought to you from a range of top artists and designers from among the Turkish and Turkish-speaking community.

Photos: Vasile Onofrei | @alinphotos_ / Outfits: Shadiye Balikcioglu

MEET OUR TEAM

GULAY ERMIYA AYSEN DJEMAL ERTAN KARPAZLI

Aysen Djemal is the cofounder of the Turkish Fashion and Arts Community Council UK. Having worked as a presenter on Euro Genc TV, Aysen has also hosted several Turkish Cypriot cultural festivals in London and a number of fashion shows, including for SMGlobal. An awardwinning model herself, Aysen is also an experienced actor, singer and dancer, with commercials for PepsiCola and appearances in EastEnders to her name, in addition to starring in feature films and being the face of several well-known brands.

Gulay Ermiya is the Managing Director of Euro Genc TV, the media partner of the Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival. Gulay, has been an active member of the London-based Turkish Cypriot community for many years, and currently serves as the General Secretary of the Turkish Community Football Federation, having previously worked on the committee of DTB and Brimsdown Football Club. She is also the co-founder of the Turkish Fashion and Arts Community Council UK and Chair of the Alashiya Youth Platform.

Ertan Karpazli is the Chief Editor of Ay Moda magazine, a publication released to support the Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival. Ertan, who was born in East London to Turkish Cypriot parents, is an experienced journalist who previously worked for TRT World while living in Istanbul, Turkiye. He is also a regular contributor for Politics Today, T-Vine, Euro Genc TV, and more. His main area of interest is fashion and art from the Ottoman era, and, more specifically, Ottoman-era men’s ring designs and ancient Turkic symbology.

TURKISHFASHION&ARTSCOMMUNITYCOUNCILUK

The Turkish Fashion & Arts Community Council UK was established in 2020 with the aims of promoting the arts and fashion of UK-based Turkish and Turkish Cypriot creatives.

Fashion plays a significant role in our lives, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and wellbeing. By choosing clothes that make us feel good, we can boost our mood, express ourselves, and improve our overall quality of life.

It reflects and encourages individual tastes, cultural values, and historical influences, shaping how people present themselves to the world and interact with others. Fashion is not only about following trends but also about personal style, creativity, and identity.

The clothes we wear tell stories of our culture and our heritage – things that can't easily be taken off at will. Tradition is also passed down in the creation and construction of our clothes. The way things are made, the materials, and the process, are all embedded into our communities and cultures.

Art and fashion are connected through the use of colour, pattern, and texture. Fashion designers often draw inspiration from art when selecting colours and patterns for their collections. Hence why we felt we needed both of these things as a focus for our festival. Both have a very strong historical root in Turkish culture and Turkish trade.

When our council was established, we wanted the Turkish Fashion & Arts Festival to bring creatives together and provide opportunities for busy, hardworking and often struggling artists, giving them a creative platform to celebrate their ideas and achievements. By bringing the community together and showcasing our youth, our up and coming new businesses, and by having our well-established creatives supporting us and guiding us, we form a strong connection and link that shows to the world what we as the Turkish community can do.

AYSEN DJEMAL CO-FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH FASHION & ARTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL UK

Photos: Vasile Onofrei | @alinphotos_ / Outfits: Shadiye Balikcioglu

EURO GENC TV

London’s first ever Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival is being brought to you by Euro Genc TV. Euro Genc TV has been serving both English and Turkish-speaking audiences in the UK since 2017.

It is a well-known, well-respected community television channel established by its founder, Turkish Cypriot journalist Alp Ermiya. The channel has a loyal following across a range of social media platforms and has dedicated segments for news, sport, politics, history, current affairs, music, art, fashion, culture, food, travel and much more.

www.eurogenctv.com eurogenctv@gmail.com / @EuroGencTV instagram.com/eurogenctv facebook.com/eurogenctv

The Turkish Community Football Federation celebrates its 48th year. It was founded in 1976 by our esteemed elders with great effort and service. Since its establishment, for 48 uninterrupted years, we have continued to serve our community and youth. We have not only supported as a football network but have created an extended family support network.

After serving for 10 years in the Turkish Community Football Federation comittee, I was elected as the chair of the federation with the support and request of the clubs and fellow administrators. One of my dreams when I became chair in 2022 was to do something for our children together with our Turkish schools. Fortunately, this dream came true when the Turkish Community Football Federation came together with Turkish schools in London, creating teams for our young children.

We are proud to provide a platform to support the physical, mental and wellbeing development of our youth, who are our future. Our main goal is to keep our youth together and guide them on the right path. Especially, to ensure that our young people do not detach from their routes and to allow them to stay linked to their culture. In order to establish this, we have built great bridges with our sister country, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We have been arranging visits with the Cyprus Football Federation for many years forming close links there for our youth.

It is one of our greatest duties to ensure that Turkish-speaking schools participate in beneficial projects like this. Expanding our efforts, we have recently visited our motherland, the Republic of Turkey. Foundations have been laid for our future youth to play football in our motherland through joint efforts with the Turkish Football Federation. The establishment of these networks have not only motivated our youth but has brought joy to families and our football community.

I express my gratitude to our motherland and our sister country for their support in keeping us connected to our culture but also allowing us to provide great opportunities for our youth. I extend thanks to our presidents, coaches, valuable managerial colleagues, and teachers who have dedicated themselves to serving their communities in Turkish schools, tirelessly and selflessly, on green fields for years. Additionally, on behalf of myself, I owe a debt of gratitude to our media members who have always advertised our services in the best possible way, and a big thank you as well as to all the businesses who have sponsored us to be able to come this far.

I want to take this opportunity this opportunity to wish the Turkish Fashion & Arts Festival committee all the best of luck with their first festival. It is very inspiring to see their efforts in keeping our culture alive by showcasing this through fashion and the arts. Additionally, it’s very positive that they have provided a platform for our youth to also showcase their work too. I hope this grows and continues in years to come.

Best wishes,

Irfan Davulcular, Chair and Honorary President of the London Turkish Community Football Federation.

BRIEF HISTORY OF TURKISH FASHION

THE EVOLUTION ofTurkishfashion in the past century is as complicated as the country’s politics. Many changes in Turkish fashionhadalreadytakenplacein the100priortotheestablishment oftheRepublicofTurkiyein1923,

AN EVOLVING REVOLUTION

Ertan Karpazli

with the gradual adoption of trends coming from the West. Nonetheless,Turkishfashionfor the most part found a way to balance its traditional oriental character with its newfound infatuationforWesternstyles.

Throughout much of the 19th century, in fact, Turks were gripped by an inner-conflict of identity as they struggled to redefine themselves in an evermore industrial and capitalistworldofnation-states. Butbytheearly1900s,theedge was officially given to new emerging Western trends as Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the secular republic, moved to steer Turks more towards the West by revolutionising Turkish attire. Thetraditionalfezwasdropped for a top hat, and collarless shirts were replaced by shirts with collars. Turkish women were encouraged to remove theirIslamicheadscarves,which forAtaturkhadcometo

representculturalbackwardnessand female oppression. But while these changeswerequicktoappearamong the upper echelons of society, Turkiye’s largely rural population weren’tsoquicktoadapt.

However, by the 1980s urbanisation was in full swing, with many young Turksoptingtomovetobigcitiesfor economic reasons. The subsequent riseoftheTurkishmiddle-classsoon ledtoariseindemandforthelatest Westerntrends,suchasdenimjeans and big brand names. Of course, Turks had already long been in the businessoftailoringforsuchbrands, but their increased income meant that they could now afford to buy themthemselves.

These developments also paved the way for Turkish designers to enter the global market with their own designs. But instead of merely mimicking European trends, many Turkish designers decided to draw upon their long lost traditions for inspiration.

Thiscoincidedwitharevived interestamongTurksintheir Ottomanpast,whichwas arguablyfuelledbyanewwave TVdramasbasedonlifebehind thewallsoftheSultan’sharem.

The lifting of the headscarf ban in Turkiye in the early 2010s opened up the doors for designers of ‘modest fashion’ to begin rethinking traditional Islamicdressandbringingitinto the21stcentury.Turkssuddenly found themselves bridging the gap between the traditional and the modern, especially among their fellow Muslims. Now, after 100 years, Turks are finally finding their place in the world offashion!

THE FEZ is a traditional crimson red hat that many today associate with late Ottoman and early Republican Turkish culture. Also known as a ‘tarboush’ in other parts of the world, it can also typically be identified via its black tassels that dangle from the top of the hat. Its origins are not completely known, but it is believed to have originated in the city of Fes, Morocco, hence the name.

The hat was widely worn throughout the Ottoman Empire and its peripheries. Muslims initially tended to wrap a turban around their fez, while Jews and Christians wore it without a turban. However, by the 1820s, the Ottoman establishment started enacting reforms to modernise the empire. Sultan Mahmud II incorporated the plain fez as part of the Ottoman military uniform and had turbans removed. The new, turbanless fez thus came to symbolise modernity among Ottoman aristocrats and the wider society in the post-Tanzimat period.

As Ottomans began to look elsewhere for their fez production, different styles of fez started to emerge in the empire.

The Ottomans would initially import their fez hats from Tunis before encouraging fez makers to move their production to Istanbul, but the introduction of low-cost synthetic dyes soon had them importing the fez from Czechia, which was at that time under Austrian rule.

This continued until 1908, when AustriaHungary annexed the largely Muslim region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which led to a boycott of Austrian goods in Ottoman lands.

After Kemal Ataturk abolished the Ottoman Empire and founded the Republic of Turkiye, he moved to ban the fez in the country. He wanted to replace the fez with top hats and caps to bring Turkish men’s attire more in line with fashion trends in Europe.

He argued the fez represented cultural backwardness, and in 1925, the abandonment of both the turban and the fez became law. But not everyone in Turkish society was ready to accept this law, as many saw the turban and the fez as symbols of their religion, and its abandonment as a heresy.

He argued the fez represented cultural backwardness, and in 1925, the abandonment of both the turban and the fez became law. But not everyone in Turkish society was ready to accept this law, as many saw the turban and the fez as symbols of their religion, and its abandonment as a heresy.

Several protests against the law erupted in different parts of Turkiye, including big population centres such as Istanbul and the capital Ankara. The protests led to many clashes and arrests, and in some cases, even imprisonment and execution.

Over time, the fez slowly began to disappear from Turkish society, but it continued to thrive in other former Ottoman territories such as Egypt and Palestine, until it was phased out there too. In Morocco, the fez remains in use even till today.

However, since the early 2000s, Turkish society has gradually been coming to terms with their Ottoman past. Although it was shunned for many decades, the growing

trend of television dramas set in the Ottoman era has led to a new acknowledgement and acceptance of the fez as being a traditional symbol of Turkish fashion.

Many of the taboos surrounding the fez have been overcome, and the fez is now a common sight in touristic areas in Istanbul, where they can easily be bought as souvenirs. If you look closely enough, you can even spot the odd individual wearing the fez as they go about their ordinary, everyday business.

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DESIGNERS OUR FASHION

KIANNARA T HAZINE

Kiannara T Hazine’s collection boasts of a very savvy assortment of classic beautiful garments.

She says her designs allows women to appreciate their sensuality, and envelopes them in the confidence of their individuality.

Many of her designs can be seen on her professional Instagram page, which can be found using the @kiannara.fashion handle.

@andersson_rodriguezz handle.

ULTIMATE FORCE

Arif Kokkoz has made his living working as a Close Protection Officer, but has recently entered the world of fashion, starting his own brand, Ultimate Force Training.

Arif, who is of Turkish Cypriot heritage but was raised in East London and currently lives in Essex, says that his life has been centred around martial arts training, which enabled him to ‘protect and fight all over the world’. This involved ‘protecting VIPs including diplomats, and royalty’, he explains, adding that he is also the founder and chair of the Turkish Cypriot Security Council UK.

His brand, which consists of t-shirts, hoodies, and caps, also sports a logo designed by Peter Shergill, the owner of H25 design. Arif explains: ‘Peter designed a logo which embodied my life achievements, trials, and tribulations. We worked on the logo and meaning of it for a couple of months, to make sure it reflected my vision, and to be inspiring.’

Having spent many years living in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, Arif is inpired by Asian culture. Describing his time in Asia as ‘amazing’ and an experience he will never forget, Arif says he has returned to the UK ‘humbler and more appreciative of culture and global religion’.

Arif, who was once told he would never walk again after undergoing a series of ‘life changing surgeries’, has not only made an amazing recovery that has defied doctors and medical experts, but he is now fulfilling his lifelong dream of launching his own clothing brand based on his life and achievements.

Necati Seven, born in 1948, started his journey as a tailor apprentice at the age of 16, marking the beginning of a unique story. Moving to London in 1970, Necati took his experience in the leather industry to the next level, engaging in a series of successful collaborations and forming a strong partnership with a factory specialising in tanning and stitching in Izmir, Turkiye.

Over the years, the company, under the brand ‘Yasin Antilop’, proved to be an industry leader in London, showcasing its quality. After a hiatus in 2000, the company returned to the industry in 2017, further elevating its success with the participation of Necati’s son, Yasin. Throughout this process, they gained international recognition by exporting to a range of countries worldwide.

The uniqueness of the company stands out not only through the diversity and quality of its products but also in its ability to offer customised solutions to customer demands. Meeting customer requests with creative and unique designs has become an art form. This capability for custom production highlights Yasin Antilop’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to the dynamic demands of the industry.

The participation of Armagan Öztürk in 2023, alongside Yasin Seven, and their accomplishment of exporting over 10,000 units, indicate that the company is poised for significant success not only in the past but also in the future. As they prepare for 2024 with even more innovative and ambitious goals under the updated brand identity of ‘YANT’, a new layer of excitement has been added to the company’s success story.

YANT LONDON

SHADIYE BALIKCIOGLU

Shadiye Balikcioglu is a well-known fashion designer and theatre actor. Having first come to London from her native Cyprus in 1973, Shadiye initially arrived to perform a Turkish Cypriot play that was very popular at that time.

Shadiye says she only intented to stay in the UK for a year . However, with the war taking place in Cyprus at the time, Shadiye decided to stay in the UK longer than she originally intended.

Seeking a means of livelihood, Shadiye started working in clothing factories as a tailor. Soon after that she discovered that she had talent for designing and creating her own clothes and started attending evening classes while at the same time starting her business.

As her business grew, Shadiye went on to purchase a building for her business. The building in Holloway, London, is still serving its purpose today, with the business being run by Mustafa Aslantürk, who Shadiye refers to as a ‘fantastic colleague’ and a ‘brilliant designer’.

Shadiye says that her family, particularly her sisters, her husband, and her daughter-in-law, have also put in a huge amount of effort in making her business become the best version of itself. ‘Without them I couldn’t have done it’, she says.

She adds: “I’d like to say thank you to all my family, especially my granddaughter, who has been there since she was a baby, for giving me the motivation to keep working.”

The two collaborators have seamlessly combined their talents and experience to create a dream destination for

They also produce dresses for prom, as well as evening dresses.

With seven years of expertise in tailoring and management, they've elevated the business to new heights.

Their brand specialises in bespoke dresses that cater to all of the needs and desires of their customers.

Their collaboration has truly made every dream dress a reality, as is demonstrated on their Instagram account, which can be found on the @boutiqueliflondon and @modabele.bridal handles.

Alternatively, one could visit their store at 841 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 8EY to see their astonishing collections up front and in person.

Customers are encouraged to call them on 07775 917 650 or email them on info@modabele.com if they require more information about their stunning and elegant dresses.

MODABELLE & ELIF BOUTIQUE

Ebru Turk and Elif Uzun are the dynamic duo behind the expansion of Elif Uzun's original business.

bridal wear.

CATWALK OUR

DIRECTOR

Although she works in finance, Sevil says her ‘real passion and purpose in life is to encourage, empower and inspire middle-aged women to enjoy life with confidence and positivity’, adding that she found inspiration in the late Queen Elizabeth II.

She is also a keen admirer of Michelle Obama, who she calls a ‘great role model, incredibly inspirational, super intelligent, a woman, mother, wife and an ambassador of diversity’.

An experienced tennis player and triathlon athlete, Sevil often runs to raise funds for various charities, which she states has been a ‘big part’ of her adult life.

“I believe we all have a responsibility to share knowledge, show love and compassion to those in need and give something back to society. Helping others gives me great happiness and pleasure,” she says.

Sevil is currently working on creating her own fashion brand focusing on fashionable underwear and tennis clothing, which will be launching very soon.

She says: “My logo design has now been completed and will be in use in the near future for fashionable underwear and tennis clothing, which is very exciting!”

Sevil is the Fashion Show Front of House and Catwalk Director for the First Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival in London.

MODELS OUR FASHION

British Grenadian model Cherelle Lewis, from London, started modelling in 2020.

She first featured in Moevir Magazine in April 2022 and has since appeared in other magazines including Love Medway, Polka Dot and LMA. In October 2023, LMA named Cherelle the Best Female International Creative Model Of The Year 2023.

A Drama Theatre and Performance graduate, Cherelle has a passion for music, dance, acting and modelling, and describes herself as a ‘confident, outgoing, creative and determined woman’.

BEN CHAI

Ben has performed in various dance groups throughout Europe.

He has also taken on diverse roles in film and theatre productions, including playing the lead in the musical ‘Godspell’.

He has graced the screens, both big and small with roles in films like ‘Shanghai Surprise’ and ‘Privates on Parade’.

As a lead presenter, he has also hosted 60 episodes of a cyber security show and co-hosted a health show on Sky TV.

Photo credit: Models I Shoot

Kimberley Edwards has many years experience in fashion and sports brand modelling, acting, dancing and singing.

She also loves playing tennis, going to the gym and doing make up.

She is represented by several acting agencies and has a degree in Performing Arts.

On top of that, she is also a qualified dance teacher, personal trainer and tennis coach.

Her portfolio includes modelling for tennis brands and products, and has won two pageant titles.

BASHUDEB SAHA

Bashudeb Saha is a model and actor. He was born in Bangladesh but now lives and works in London.

He has taken part in numerous fashion shows in the UK and France including for London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. He has also worked as a commercial model for Brooks Taverner and for several other companies.

Bashudeb has appeared in Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘The Crown’, and Apple TV’s ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘Silo’, as well as Sky Atlantic’s ‘Mary and George’. He also appeared in ‘Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny’ and ‘The 355’.

Photo credit: Models I Shoot

TIMOTHY ROBINSON

Mariana Prisadashka-Ilieva has been a professional model since 1998. and professional makeup artist since 2016.

She first moved to London in 2004 but then returned to her native Bulgaria to complete a number of makeup courses before coming back to the UK in 2019.

In addition to working for Radiant and Seventeen Cosmetics, Mariana has worked for the designer Pierre Garroldi as a model and makeup artist. She is currently working for the designer Marvin Nonis as a model.

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, Timothy Robinson has been living in London for over a decade.

He has attended various fashion runway shows, including Kigali Fashion Week, Aberdeen Fashion Week, CMG Paris Fashion Week and Vogue Fashion Show.

Timothy says he loves travelling and learning about different cultures. He particularly loves spending time with friends and family in his spare time.

AKBER RASHID

Daizy is a London-based dancer and model who has been active in the industry since 2019. She has so far shot in Lake Como, Marrakesh, Mykonos, and Fuerteventura.

She has featured in catwalk shows at LFW 2023 and LFW 2024, and has also appeared in campaigns for Nike, Stamford Incense and OG Hair & Aesthetics.

Daizy has also made appearances in a number of films, including Netflix’s ‘Heart of Stone’, Amazon Prime’s ‘Red White and Royal Blue’, feature film ‘Saltburn’, and BBC’s Kirkmoore.

Akber Rashid is a British Asian model, presenter and actor. He has been featured in advertisements for brands such as Nirala Sweets, The Mortgage Centre, and Law Solicitors, and has graced the runways of London Fashion Week, Pakistan Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.

Akber has also been the face of prominent menswear brands like Desi Groom and Diya's, and has been featured in campaigns for Asiana and Khush magazines.

Named Model of the Month and Fresh New Face at London Fashion Week, Akber also finished runner-up in the Mr. Asia 2013 competition.

Natalie Gentle is a London-based model with catwalk, stills, editorial and film experience.

MICHAEL OGUN

Michael Ogun was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1984 and came to the UK when he was 10.

She has been modelling since she was a teenager and has since worked with several couture designers and brands including Adeybayo Jones, Vanity Hub Africa, TDG Bespoke, The Anko Shop, Kerasilk, and Monica B.

She recently had her first feature in Artells magazine modelling for Cassine by KO.

Natalie also makes hair accessories at home and is currently in the process of designing for her own small clothing brand and starting catwalking classes

Having studied Fine Art, Graphic Design and Illustration, Michael started modelling in August 2023 and currently works as a casting director, scouting models and designers for some fashion shows.

Michael says: “I am very excited by this new chapter in my life and I am excited to see what the future holds. I came to model and have been blessed with opportunities to showcase my creativity not just on the catwalk but also backstage, to enhance the the quality of the show I am representing.”

KONRAD STRAUSS

Chelo Valencia is a beauty queen, fashion, editorial and runway model, and an entrepreneur.

The former Ms. Maniland Glamour and Ms. Charity 2018 was recently chosen as a finalist in Top Model Foundation, emerging victorious in Self Styled and Ms. Charity.

Chelo owns SweetGlam, a Vibrant Wellness Stockist in London, and is also an active member of Filipino Womens Associations in the UK.

She has previously worked with Maniland Glamour, Cavitenios Association, Dabawenyos, Chabs-UK, FWAUK and many others.

Konrad Strauss is an actor, singer and model with Turkish and Arabic heritage. He has years of experience in acting on stage and has appeared in many theatre performances as a principal actor.

In recent years, however, he has been partaking more in film and TV projects, commercials, and modelling in lifestyle shoots.

He says: “I am also passionate about singing and have performed in front of small audiences. I am outgoing, passionate in what I do, friendly, bubbly and love working with people. I am proud to be a Turk in the industry because in England this is perhaps not common.”

CHRISTHEN GO

Ashena Green’s portfolio includes catwalks for renowned designers such as Adebayo Jones, Jose Hendo, and Rossi Barbossa.

She has done collaborations with both local and international fast and slow fashion brands, including MissyEmpire, Josh&Nicol, River & Mara, Makoki, Lounge Underwear, and many more.

She was honoured with a nomination for the Top Model Award by the Creative Industries, where she emerged as one of four finalists in 2023. Additionally, she is the current Queen of Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth and has featured in over 15 notable magazines, including Vigour, Artelles, Selin, and Malvie.

Christhen is of Russian and Latvian roots, and got into fashion after initially pursuing a career in entertainment. He has since collaborated with some of the world's most renowned brands in Milan and Paris.

Now based in London, Christhen often travels to New York and Riga for fashion events.

Aside from modelling, he is passionate about human rights and promoting diversity.

“Through my work,” Christhen says, “I strive to bring out the beauty of diversity and use my influence on social channels to ensure every voice is heard. I hope to create a better tomorrow by making a difference.”

OZZY CETIN

Sabrina Ide, 23, is based in Hackney, London. She says that fashion has been her passion for as long as she can remember, and that she has been driven to enrich her portfolio and acquire valuable knowledge and experience within the industry since moving to London.

She says: “Every photoshoot I embark on feels like a new chapter in my journey of self-discovery, deepening my understanding and appreciation for the nuances of the fashion industry.

She adds: “For me, It's not just about showcasing my talent; I'm genuinely eager to connect with fellow creatives and designers, immersing myself in every ounce of inspiration this event has to offer.”

Ozzy Chetin was born on 28th September 1984 in Istanbul, Turkey.

His ethnicity is a mixture of East Slavic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern.

Since 2018, he has been performing as an actor, voiceover artist and model in the UK.

Ozzy works as a psychedelic trance DJ, and has performed at over 250 international gigs since 2004.

He has also organised over 40 events in Turkey and UK since 2015.

KEVON JAMES

Izabela Kowalewska was born in Poland where she started her modelling adventure at the age of 16.

In 2017 she entered Top Model UK competition where she came second in the Over 25s category.

Since then she has been involved in numerous photoshoots and fashion shows. She is a regular participant at London Fashion Week shows and has also been modelling for many body-painting projects.

Izabela also works as a support artist in movies, series’ and commercials.

Kevon James is from the Caribbean island of Grenada. He says: “As a child, I was captivated by models in TV commercials, sparking a dream to grace the pages of magazines or strut on runways. Today, I'm embarking on the journey to live out that childhood dream.”

He adds: “Beyond the glitz and glamour, I find fulfillment in being an emotional anchor for my friends, fostering a strong support system. My story is a testament to the belief that resilience and a focus on one's goals can transcend any background.

“I aspire to be a beacon of encouragement for those who dare to dream, encouraging them to persist and make their aspirations a reality.”

MARCUS MONROSE

Shelly Kutcher has a love for modelling, presenting and being a competition judge.

Starting in her late 30s, she was named Miss British Isles Elegance in 2018.

This was followed by studio shoots including one at the Silverstone race course for a wedding brochure.

Shelly was also on the judging panel of a regional heat for Miss England, plus a guest judge and host for Fitness Model Comps (FMC). She has also appeared in TOWIE.

Marcus Monrose is of Indian and Caribbean decent from the Island of St Lucia.

He started modelling 2 years ago. He says: “Though not an easy journey it has come with its rewards and showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to, that I don't have to fit the status quo, being body confident and showing other men like me that they too can do it!”

He adds: “I have a great passion for dance, fashion, heritage and cultural arts.”

Flames is a seasoned runway model with over two and a half years of experience that spans both local and international fashion circuits

In September 2023, she achieved a significant milestone when she won the Top Model Charity Public Vote

She says: “With each step, I aim to redefine the narrative, celebrating diversity, creativity, and the enduring allure of sartorial expression”

She has previously been named Most Inspiring International Model, Top 100 Empowered & Modern Filipino – European Fashion Model, Photographic and Catwalk Model, and Upcoming Inspirational Model 2023

OUR EVENT HOSTS

DUYGU TAĞMAÇ

Aysen’s journey started as a child when she was enrolled at the famous SylviaYoungTheatreSchool.

In her career, Aysen, who has also been in two films and has secured a leading role in a third, has worked with various designers including Chalayan, Vivienne Westwood, Shadiye Bridal, Zeynep Kartal, ZeynepTosun,andmanymore.

Since2018,shehasbeenworkingas a presenter for Euro Genc TV, and has also hosted festivals and fashion week shows in major cities such as Paris,Milan,NewYorkandIstanbul.

HavingbeennamedMrs.WowGlobal 2021 and the 2021 Flame Awards’ Best Retro-Pinup Model, her achievements in modelling have been well-recognised. 31

Duygu was born in 1972 in Limassol, Cyprus and moved to the UKin1990.

Afterworkingforseveralyearsasa hairdresser and businesswoman, she beganworkingasatravelagent.

In 2013, she started working as a presenter at Kibris Genç TV's London studios. In 2018, she took overtheLondonbureauof KanalT.

In 2003, she began serving on the ManagementBoardoftheCouncilof Turkish Cypriot Associations UK and continues to serve in this capacity.

Since2020,shehasbeenservingas Vice President of the Limassol Association, where she continues to runvariousprojectsfortheelderly.

Shadiye, 20, is currently studying Drama at university. As the granddaughter of Shadiye and Osman Balikcioglu, who have both worked in theatre, Shadiye says that acting runs inherfamily.

Despite her young age, Shadiye has alreadyperformedinanddirectedher own play, at the same time raising £890 for the Mayor of Enfield’s chosencharities.

Aside from acting and theatre, Shadiye has also taken part in livestream television shows, sharing someofherrecipesasacook.

Furthertothat,Shadiyeisalsoanup and coming entrepreneur, having recently launched her own cake business, which she has called ‘SB Cakes’.

OUR PERFORMERS

ELIZ HASSAN

ElizHassanisayoungTurkish Cypriot dancer who is currently enrolled at Ignite Dance School. She plans to study performing arts in the nearfuture.

DJ CELIL

CelilisafamousDJandradio presenteronBizimFM.Hehas also presented his own shows on Genc TV famously known asthe“TurkishDelightShow”. He can be found on the Instagram@djcelil_uk. Contact for special events.

ERDOĞAN BACA

Erdogan Baca’s music career spans almost 50 years. The lead singer of the Kıbrıs Dörtlüsü band, he is also the chair of the London Bogaziçi Culture&ArtAssociation.

BESIME SEDAT (WRITER/POET)

Lifetime achievement award for contribution to Turkish Literature / Türk edebiyatına emek ve katkılarıyla.

ARIF KOKKOZ (ULTIMATE FORCE)

Main Sponsor Appreciation Award.

DIANA FIREFLY

LOUISE WHITE

Appreciation Award - Editorial Leader of the Year Award.

Best Female Producer and Head of Studio.

EYLEM

Female Contribution to Music and Arts.

BRIT SELLERS

Best Young Female Director of the Year.

ERDOĞAN BACA

Male Lifetime Achievement in Contribution to Music, Arts and Culture.

ARIF KOKKOZ (TURKISH CYPRIOT SECURITY COUNCIL)

Appreciation and recognition for years of dedicated service to the Turkish community.

HUSSEIN CHALAYAN

SHADIYE BALIKCIOGLU

Lifetime achievement award for contribution to Fashion and Arts.

Lifetime achievement award for contribution to Fashion and Arts.

OUR AWARD WINNERS

Profile: Besime Sedat

Besime Sedat is a Turkish poet and author and born in Cyprus. After finishing her High School education in Cyprus, she came to London for further education.

She worked for London Turkish Radio for 14 years, presenting 'Ladies Hour' and 'Medical Hour' with a Doctor.

She started writing poetry at an early age. She says: “I strongly believe in the power of the pen, that words connect people and places. Through poetry I believe that I share emotions and thoughts with my readers and take them on a divine journey called LIFE.”

Her first poetry book 'Beyan-ı Betik' was published in Cyprus, 2019. Her second poetry book 'Hurma Ağacı' was published in Istanbul, 2021. Her third book ‘Yaşımız Değil, Yaşadıklarımız Öğretir Bize Hayatı’ was published in Istanbul in 2023.

At present, Besime is working on her fourth poetry book ‘Teselli’ which will be published towards the end of 2024. She is also completing a novel. Some of my poems (EyvAllah, Muhtacım, El Hakk, Kıbrıs Türküsü, Gözlerimde İnce Sızı, Öyle Gel, Gönül Gözü, Aşka Yakarış, Çay İçelim Seninle, İnsan Olana) have been used by famous composer, Doğan Balyemez, as lyrics in his songs, which can be listened to on YouTube.

Profile: Hussein Chalayan

Hussein Chalayan is a British-Turkish Cypriot fashion designer. He has won the British Designer of the Year twice in 1999 and 2000, and he was awarded an MBE in 2006.

Born in Nicosia in 1970, Chalayan and his family were moved to the UK in 1978, where he studied for a National Diploma in fashion and clothing at the Warwickshire School of Arts before proceeding to study Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London

Chalayan established his own company in 1994, Cartesia Ltd., as well as his ready-to-wear line named after himself.

Known for minimalist fashion shows, Chalayan

blends contemporary interiors and urban architecture in his designs. Winning accolades since 1995, including a London fashion award, he collaborated with Björk and designed the cover jacket for her album ‘Post’.

His collections explore conceptual themes like erogenous zones, migration, and technology integration. Notable works include the ‘Remote Control’ dress, a wireless garment, and the ‘Table Skirt’, representing forced migration.

Chalayan expanded into menswear and collaborated with luxury brands like Puma and Swarovski. His brand transitioned to "Chalayan" in 2012, offering a diffusion line named Grey Label.

Images of our bespoke Canary Wharf shoot.

by Shadiye Balikcioglu, one of our prestigious designers showcasing at our event.

Specifically organised for our advertising campaign and launching of our first ever Turkish Fashion and Arts Festival.

Photography by Vasile Onofrei.

Styled

VASILE