Collection Summer Song, printemps/été 2010.
Talented, for sure, but also endearing, Asli Filinta conquers you in a few minutes by her charm and her kindness! Originally from Turkey but based in New York, this energetic designer designs clothes above all to please herself, letting herself be guided by her spontaneity! Positive, fulfilled and endowed with an overflowing imagination, let’s bet that Asli still has many beautiful surprises in store for us!
For now, a third season made of dresses that become bags, bra pads that become pockets or epaulets and a multitude of other curiosities to enjoy without moderation…
Asli Filinta, you studied economics, what made you leave this field?
I actually tried to work in economics but it was too boring for me. In addition, the company where I was an intern closed. I figured that was a reason to leave the industry. The major problem with this job was that I was criticized for the way I dressed. People used to tell me, “You can’t come to important meetings dressed like that!”
How did you go from economics to fashion?
In fact, I’ve been in this business for about ten years. After my experience in the economy, I moved to New York where I took some classes at Parsons School and FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). Since I didn’t have a full education, I’m not very knowledgeable about trends, shapes, fabrics, and I feel free to do what I want. Nobody put any limits on me. That’s the good thing about not having studied fashion; the bad thing is that I need someone to make it.
I started my brand because I was wearing accessories that I had made myself (hats, t-shirts, scarves etc.) and people would stop me on the street to ask me where I had found them! I told them: “At home! It was cheap, I made them myself!” They wanted to buy them from me! I offered them but little by little, other people contacted me and I couldn’t keep giving things away! So they convinced me to sell them; that’s why I’m here now.
How do your collections take shape? How do your themes come together?
It all starts from how I feel, from the time of my life. It depends on whether I’m in love or not, what I’m listening to at the time. Everything is there (she shows her heart).
Your pieces are not all easy to wear, what kind of people do you imagine wearing them? Are some of them more for parties or special occasions?
Some are just for me! I don’t know if I could sell them but I try to do things that are out of the ordinary; it’s experimental. I know I’m not a top seller but I’m not trying to please everyone. My clothes are for people who are able to be crazy, to try new things. A t-shirt with six sleeves or a dress with twelve sleeves sounds crazy but if you have your own taste, your own style, you will find the perfect way to wear them. I’m not afraid of anything. I may not become a milionaire but I will continue on this path, because it is fun; otherwise I would be bored.
Are you thinking of returning to Turkey?
I couldn’t leave Istanbul completely, mainly because my family lives there and the production is based there. My family is also in the textile business, they support me a lot, emotionally and financially. But I can’t leave New York either, I love this city. It’s just a shame it’s so far away. But we’ll see. At the moment I’m happy to go to Istanbul for the production and then travel to Paris, Tokyo, back to New York, and then back to Turkey. I can’t confine myself to one place. Wherever I am, I never feel far from home, the place I am at any given moment is the place I need to be. Now I’m in Paris for four days, so it’s home for now!
What is the inspiration for the spring/summer 2010 collection?
This collection is called Summer Song, like SS (Spring Summer). Each model has a name that corresponds to a few words of the same song, which is obtained in full when the whole collection is put together.
The universe of this collection comes from an Ottoman painting by Osman Hamdi, “Turtle trainer”, inspired by the sumptuous parties that the Sultan gave. As they were held in huge gardens and there was no electricity yet, candles were put on turtles that were brought by thousands. This painter was inspired by this story and his inspiration became mine. That’s why this collection contains turtle shapes, prints, different evocations of this animal.
In Turkey, we have an incredible culture; I am obsessed with it. Although I live in New York, I am still very attached to it. I like to use these kinds of stories.
As for the rabbits in this collection, they refer to the fable of the hare and the tortoise, that’s why they look angry! And the mice are because I had four of them in my apartment in New York!
www.aslifilinta.com
Available at Franck et Fils, 80 rue de Passy, 75016 Paris.
Isabelle Huber
Collection Summer Song, printemps/été 2010.
Collection Summer Song, printemps/été 2010.
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
