Bora Aksu

Designer name: Bora Aksu

Origin: Originally from Turkey, Bora has been based in London for 15 years.

Career highlight: “There have been many: seven window displays at Selfridges; 4 times NEWGEN recipient; meeting with Queen.”

Design background: Bora set up his label upon graduation from his MA at Central Saint Martins.

Design signatures: “My signature style is based upon finding the balance point between contrasts. It’s romantic with a darker twist.”

How would you describe the Bora Aksu woman? “She defines beauty in her own way. Tori Amos captures this for me.”

What is your brand philosophy? “Creating demi-couture pieces that are timeless and unique.”

Trademark piece: “The cocktail dress.”

Three spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “Five handwritten postcards from 1905, found in Geneva Antique Market. The cards are all written by the same young woman to someone called Charles. I am very drawn to them despite the postcards holding such little information. The cards were the starting point of a big research trip.
I am also very drawn to handmade silk roses from 60s couture dresses. The wedding scene of Emily Watson in the 1996 movie Breaking the Waves was another inspiration.”

What’s next for your brand? “The new tights line produced by an incredible Italian manufacturer finally arrives in September. The brand new website will also launch in September; it means customers from the EU can purchase directly from us for the first time. There are some interesting areas to the website which we are very excited about. We are also introducing pre-collections from autumn/winter 2012.”

Who are your design heroes? “My ultimate design hero is Louise Wilson as she guided me in such a way that I realised everything I needed to know about my design identity. She has a gift in seeing people’s potential.”

What’s your favourite cultural hotspot in the capital? “The Whitechapel Gallery and the hidden car boot sales organised by local churches on Saturdays.”

In five years time I will be... “The designer who still absolutely loves what he does.”