Bora Aksu founded his label in 2002, after graduating from the MA in Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins where garments from his collection were purchased by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana as inspirational pieces. Following early critical acclaim from the fashion press for his singular approach to occasion wear, Aksu was awarded NEWGEN funding for eight consecutive seasons, and has shown on-schedule at London Fashion Week for the past 14 years.
‘My aim as a designer is to create my own definition of beauty, and for me the female form is the most important tool’ notes Bora Aksu, whose design aesthetic fuses a romantic sensibility with raw elegance. Delicately textured fabrics and whimsical detailing are underpinned by a distinctive twist on tailoring that sees darker, more storied elements temper decorative shapes and a translucent use of color. ‘There is an imperfection to my work which creates purity and beauty’ the designer explains.
Bora Aksu’s deftness of touch and investment in craftsmanship also draws on his Turkish roots, giving his collections a unique demi-couture quality; an element that has distinguished the designer’s position in the fashion industry over the last 15 years. ‘My grandma and my aunt were constantly working on creating something beautiful and I try to bring this handcrafted approach into my own design identity, to make the designs unique, but also to keep craftwork relevant to fashion today’. Most recently Bora Aksu experienced significant expansion in Asia. The label currently has 61 stand alone boutiques across the Asia Pacific region including a flagship store in Beijing.
With this growth, a range of dresses separates and jackets are now being produced in addition to Bora Aksu’s ready-to-wear offering. Combining the designer’s central themes of romanticism and raw elegance with everyday luxury, these additions celebrate a fun, accessible approach to dressing.
Over time Bora Aksu’s designs have come to represent a very distinctive and unique voice that remains unparalleled in the industry. The designer has dressed a multitude of film stars including Keira Knightley, Emily Blunt, Rachel McAdams, Elle Fanning , Lucy Boynton, Zoe Kazan, Anya Taylor Joy Marion Cotillard, Sienna Miller and Zendaya and designed costumes for musicians that include Rita Ora, Lily Allen, Tori Amos and Ellie Goulding. Today the Bora Aksu label is synonymous with an engaging and beguiling take on female style that is distinguished for its exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional demi-couture quality. Consequently, through Bora Aksu’s uncommon approach to femininity, a new narrative around female beauty has emerged.
Photographer: Zuzu Valla