Hakan Akkaya Collection Inspired by Existentialism

by | Sep 21, 2017 | Fashion

Hakan Akkaya’s SS18 collection was inspired by existentialism.

Existentialism became popular in the years following World War II, and strongly influenced many disciplines, fashion included. In the view of the existentialist, the individual’s starting point is characterized not only by the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual.  The predominant idea of existentialist thought is commonly acknowledged to be FREEDOM, a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

This season, Hakan Akkaya created a collection of dramatic proportions and hard-edges. The presentation is about an existential attitude, hence the mixture of models. In Hakan’s opinion, beauty is not about how you look, but what people see in the things you value and love.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: Barron Hilton (C) walks the runway for Hakan Akkaya fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Hakan Akkaya)

Laurean Ossorio gets up close with Designer Hakan Akkaya!

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway for Hakan Akkaya fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Hakan Akkaya)

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway for Hakan Akkaya fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Hakan Akkaya)

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway for Hakan Akkaya fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Hakan Akkaya)

  1. Who is Hakan Akkaya?
    Hakan Akkaya, a professional fashion designer for 16 years, left his education in Bilkent University (Architecture) to study Fashion Design at İstasyon Art Academy. After graduation, he started working as Design Department Manager for leading brands including Boyner Holding, Altınyıldız, Sarar among others within the Turkish textile industry. In 2010, he established his own atelier and firm. In 2012, he had the honor of become the first Turkish designer in “Who’s Next Paris” and “Bread & Butter” exhibitions. In addition to having served as a Consultant for the ITHIB (Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association), Akkaya also arranged and presented ITHIB’s 9th, 10th and 11th International Fabric Design Contests. Hakan Akkaya has participated in NYFW since 2012.
  1. What is your inspiration and vision for this collection?
    My SS18 collection was inspired by existentialism. Existentialism became popular in the years following World War II, and strongly influenced many disciplines, fashion included. In the view of the existentialist, the individual’s starting point is characterized not only by the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual.  The predominant idea of existentialist thought is commonly acknowledged to be FREEDOM, a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will. This season, I created a collection of dramatic proportions and hard-edges. The presentation is about an existential attitude, hence the mixture of models. In my opinion, beauty is not about how you look, but what people see in the things you value and love.

3.What fabrics are you using this season? For SS18 I used a variety of different fabrics including cotton, silk, tulle, fishnets, and grosgrain.

  1. Who is the Hakan Akkaya woman? She is a strong, confident, stylish and independent woman.
  1. What is the key color of your spring 2018 collection? Black and white.
  1. What is your signature piece from the collection? My signature pieces are the black and white striped pieces.
  1. What silhouettes are you offering to the Hakan Akkaya woman this season? This season I’m offering chic silhouettes that are confident, edgy and unique.
  1. Who would you like to be the ideal Hakan Akkaya women? Someone edgy and cool, like Alexa Chung.
  1. What are the essential items every woman should have in their closet? A little black dress, a black pencil skirt, and a great pair of sexy stilettos.
  1. What is your favorite color? Black.
  1. What music are you listening to in your playlist? I listen to everything, from pop to jazz to Turkish music.
  1. What is your favorite song right now? Any song from Madonna, always.
  1. What is your favorite genre of music? Mostly pop music.
  1. Who’s your favorite artist? Turkish photo-realist artist, Taner Ceylan.
  1. Who’s your favorite musician or group?Madonna, of course!
  1. What’s your favorite food? I like any kind of traditional Turkish food.
  1. What is your favorite drink? Vodka.
  1. What is your favorite travel destination? It’s a tie between New York and Mykonos.
  1. What are you currently reading? Why, Downtown of course.
  2. What is your favorite gadget? My phone, I always have it on me!
  1. What did you last google? My NYFW show.
  1. What was your last purchase? A pair of Adidas Stan Smiths.
  1. What is your favorite TV show? Project Runway.
  1. Who is your favorite actor / actress? Nicole Kidman.
  1. Give us one phrase to describe spring fashion?

“Think Positive.”

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway for Hakan Akkaya fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Hakan Akkaya)

Photo Credit: Gettyimages

 

 

 

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