Gökay Gündoğdu, the mastermind behind the meteoric rise of T.A.G.G., has carved a particular path to success by a dynamic mix of worldwide training and modern considering.
With an undergraduate diploma in enterprise administration from Yeditepe College, adopted by an enlightening trade program in New York specializing in advertising and model administration, Gündoğdu’s journey took an thrilling flip when he pursued a grasp’s diploma in enterprise design at Domus Academy in Milan. This distinctive educational background has positioned him as a trailblazer within the artistic industries, spearheading T.A.G.G.’s ascent to grow to be one of the crucial quickly rising and customer-adored manufacturers of latest instances.
Coming from an industrialist household, he satisfied his household of his profession alternative as a designer after a lot effort. Regardless of his household’s preliminary want for him to obtain an training in a area that will put together him to work of their firm, Gündoğdu excelled in all the colleges he attended and finally obtained permission from his household to pursue training within the area he desired. Acquiring his training at Milan’s Domus Academy in 2007 was a interval of additional shaping his curiosity and expertise in design and trend design. After working with varied manufacturers and offering them consultancy companies, he established his personal model in 2014.
“I all the time wished to create a ready-to-wear trend model. My experiences in model administration and advertising actions within the luxurious section inspired me extra in direction of making a model quite than simply being a designer,” he says, recounting the times when he formally stepped into the style world.
He initiated his model with out the monetary backing of his household and established its foundations utilizing the cash he saved from his work. Bringing his model to its present standing is one in every of his biggest sources of pleasure. After I requested how his household seems to be at his achievements now, he mentioned: “Certainly, they’re very proud. Additionally they have nice respect for the collections being well-received not solely in Türkiye but additionally overseas. However, after all, it’s additionally a incontrovertible fact that whereas I used to be on this path, there have been instances after they actually wished me to surrender and return to the household enterprise.”
Gökay Gündoğdu, the mastermind behind the meteoric rise of T.A.G.G. trend model. (Photograph courtesy of Gökay Gündoğdu)
Whereas having espresso with Gündoğdu at his new showroom on Şişli’s Halaskargazi Avenue, I can’t assist however point out that it’s nonetheless a piece in progress. Each room is a hive of exercise, and artisans often enter the room with clothes in hand to substantiate particular particulars earlier than exiting. The showroom exudes a chic, all-white ambiance with fashionable cornice particulars, making it really feel extra like Paris than Istanbul. As I ponder these ideas, Gündoğdu continues together with his phrases: “We’re extremely busy in the meanwhile. Subsequent week, we’ll be presenting to patrons throughout Paris Style Week. We’ll be internet hosting purchaser groups there for a complete week. After that, I’ll be showcasing my assortment at Dubai Style Week. As for the opening of this showroom, who is aware of when that can occur.
Moreover, we’ll be collaborating with the Style Designers Affiliation (MTD) on the Qatar Expo. We’ve got a particular mission with 40 designers, all engaged on the theme of “Dance of Flowers.” We select one look from our personal assortment and remodel it. Your entire runway present will revolve round this theme of transformation. The whole lot is going on one after the opposite proper now.”
With inexhaustible vitality, Gündoğdu can be behind the design Tarkan, a Turkish megastar, wore at his latest live performance in Monte Carlo. The designer defined: “It was the primary time Tarkan carried out on stage in outfits he had designed himself. He had a dream of making his personal stage costumes, and he had sketches. We got here collectively to carry his sketches to life. Stylist Ipek Ersoy introduced us collectively. Remodeling a sketch on paper into an precise garment is sort of a special journey. He’s a really particular artist, and it was a pleasure to work with him. Nevertheless, such collaborations or couture work aren’t on the middle of my trend journey until there’s somebody I’m very enthusiastic about.”
“For years, I’ve been making an attempt to include the idea of silent luxurious into my designs. Typically, a mannequin that won’t appear too daring on a hanger transforms into a really glamorous and assertive piece when it meets the feminine physique. My type is all about sturdy and impactful ladies. This girl in my designs by no means must be masculine or current herself as a sexual object. With what she wears, you’ll be able to simply discover each her female class and that energy she carries wherever she goes,” explains Gökay Gündoğdu, outlining the general path of his collections and the T.A.G.G. girl.
When requested, “Which traits of the area we had been born in affect you probably the most?” Gündoğdu mentioned: “The factor I battle with probably the most in my life. I really like easy, easy issues. The shape is essential to me. The facility that kind provides to you is essential … I assume this area serves as an inspiration for me in precisely this regard. I wish to see ladies as sturdy and empower them … As a result of sadly, within the area we had been born into, ladies face challenges on this regard. Ladies might be sturdy with their femininity. It’s treasured to attain this with out shedding the lady’s traces. What ladies are uncovered to makes me wish to see them even stronger. You possibly can clearly see this in all of the collections I’ve created.”
I see a designer earlier than me who showcased his first assortment in Milan and entered seven shops with that assortment. The designer says: “I’m strolling in direction of a dream. And I imagine I’m getting nearer to that dream. I wish to grow to be a model recognized on a world platform. Making a mark within the trend world relies upon not solely on design prowess but additionally on the monetary assets you have got. Proper now, our collections are bought in lots of international locations. We’re engaged on opening shops in Paris and Milan. Within the U.S., we’ll enter the market with corners in several cities. Subsequent 12 months will likely be much more formidable for us.”