With the pandemic, Dilara Karaca, a fashion designer from Izmir University of Economics, created her own brand by turning the intense demand, for clothing made of natural fabrics, used for multipurpose and bring health rather than aesthetics to the fore, into an opportunity. Karaca, who started the "healthy fashion" era by creating sweat-free, ecological and recyclable designs, put the products of her brand called "in d’tales" for online sale. Karaca, who designs special, functional products such as pants with removable hems, jackets that can be worn both ways and sleeveless said, “Since I was a kid, I was interested in design and dreamed of creating my own brand one day. I did not want the pandemic to interfere with this dream and I brought my brand to life by considering the needs of people. I am very pleased with the attention.”
27-year-old Dilara Karaca, who lives in Çeşme, Izmir, graduated from Department of Textile and Fashion Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) in 2016. After graduating from university, Karaca, working with companies in Turkey and abroad to gain experience, won the first prize in SVP London Ready-to-Wear Fair Design Competition in England.
DID NOT GIVE UP HER PASSION
The pandemic could not stop Karaca, who does not give up her passion for fashion and sets her goal to work on making a difference in this field. Considering the change in clothing habits and demands with the increase of working from home, Karaca shaped her designs in this direction. Karaca, who has brought accessories to life as well as clothes that can be used in daily life and while going to work, made a rapid entry into business life with her own brand.
SURPLUS FABRICS
Stating that she takes the principles of functionality and sustainability as basis while designing her products, and that she also designs clothes that can be used by both men and women, Karaca said, “I use environmentally friendly or surplus fabrics and accessories in our products. I prefer a production process that respects nature and people, and I aim to create ecologically and socially sensitive products. We have once again seen the importance of health during the pandemic. I am very sensitive about the choice of fabric while preparing the products. At this point, I prepared the products by choosing natural fiber-based, sweat-blocking, easily washable materials.”
NEW PRODUCTS ARE ON THE WAY
Karaca continued as follows: “Pandemic changed our habits; our social order and work life were reshaped. Now sports, comfortable and multi-purpose designs come to the fore. For example, I acted with this idea when designing pants with removable hems, jackets that can be worn both ways. I completed my first designs within five months. They are all my designs. I create the designs, we supply the fabrics from the factories we have contracted. Everything is going well right now. We will be launching new products in a very short time. Our negotiations continue for different collaborations.”
