How European Misinterpretations of Turkish Dress Inspired My Graduation Collection
Hi everyone!
I’ve been following this subreddit for a few years now, and ever since I joined Reddit, I always hoped that one day I’d have something of my own to share here. Now that I’ve completed my graduation collection, it felt like the right place.
Alongside the final photographs, I wanted to share parts of the design process as well—my research mind maps, mood boards, early development work, material exploration, and some behind-the-scenes photos. I always enjoy seeing how garments come together, so I thought some of you might enjoy the process just as much as the finished looks.
The collection was inspired by Turquerie, particularly the way eighteenth-century French artists and patrons represented Ottoman dress during the Rococo period. What fascinated me wasn’t historical accuracy, but the design language itself: Ottoman-inspired garments reimagined through French Rococo silhouettes, proportions, and aesthetics. Rather than recreating historical Ottoman clothing, I wanted to explore that same design approach in a contemporary graduation collection.For example, the beige trench coat is not intended as a historical costume. It takes one of today’s wardrobe staples and reimagines it through the same lens. While its overall silhouette recalls an Ottoman kaftan, details such as the structured side panniers and proportions are deliberately influenced by French Rococo fashion—as if an eighteenth-century French designer were interpreting Ottoman dress rather than reproducing it faithfully.
The project developed between November 2025 and July 2026, from the initial research and concept development to sketching, sourcing materials, draping, fittings, and the final garments.
One of my favorite pieces is the white blouse. It took around ten days to complete. The silhouette was first draped in tulle, then heat-set into shape before every remaining section was assembled and hand-sewn. Tiny flowers were individually added throughout the surface, the outer edges were carefully cut by hand, lace straps were built piece by piece, loop-and-button closures were sewn on, and finally needle lace was attached around the hem.
The white lace used throughout the blouse is especially meaningful to me. It was handmade by my mother many years ago, long before this collection even existed. Being able to incorporate something she created by hand into my graduation project made the garment incredibly personal.
Although I collaborated with a professional tailor for the construction of the final garments and with a needle-lace artisan for purple lily flowers( it is also stands for fleur-de-lys of French royalty)every creative decision—from the research and concept to the silhouettes, proportions, materials, color palette, styling, detailing, and the placement of every element—was directed by me as part of the project.
I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts, questions, or critiques. Thank you for taking the time to look through both the collection and the process behind it!