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In The Spotlight: Begüm Kiroglu

In The Spotlight: Begüm Kiroglu

Drawing inspiration from antiques, Asian Arts and classical movies, Turkish jewelry designer Begüm Kiroglu has charmed and fascinated the world with her inventive, more-is-more designs that evoke nature and mysticism. Her line, Begum Khan, was born with a pair of cufflinks she created and gifted her brother—fast forward several years later, that thoughtful gift morphed into a full-fledged business. Today the Istanbul-based line is carried by some of the world’s top retailers. Read on to learn more about her creative universe and covetable style.

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In the Cedrina dress at her flagship store in Istanbul. “Red silk and flowers made perfect sense,” shared Begum.

Color and nature play a key role in a lot of your pieces. How would you define your brand’s signature aesthetic and where do you find inspiration?

For me color, nature, fun, a sense of humor, elegance are everything. I get inspired from everything around me. I get inspired by music I listen to, or a woman sitting next to me when I’m in a restaurant, something I see in a museum, I really have open eyes, open ears, and an open heart. I have a colorful and exotic aesthetic—I think this is also why I love Silvia. We have a lot in common in our aesthetic. For me, a brand should be young and fun but elegant and timeless at the same time. Each design should be innovative and should have a sense of humor.

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During appointments in Paris Fashion Week.

We love your inclination towards prints, color and volume. What is your approach to getting dressed for an important event?

I love volume! I like to speak volume, paint in volume, dress in volume, I like to party in volume! And of course, prints & colors! When I’m getting dressed for an event, the most important matter is: what is the essence? A traditional black tie, a sexy party, or is it a ball gown situation? That’s very important. While I am getting in the mood for the event, I also want to express myself in a way I am comfortable. I always choose my dress very last minute. Literally sometimes last morning, last day, 2 hours before the events. Because my daily mood changes. When I put the dresses on, I must feel beautiful. One day I feel beautiful in one dress, sometimes I don’t feel it with the same dress. It is intuitive and spontaneous. But of course, I can be spontaneous because If I see a dress I love, even though I don’t have an event, I would buy it and keep it in my wardrobe and when it’s the time I would have few options to choose. And of course, it helps to have talented friends like Silvia.

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How did you first come to meet the ST brand and what attracted you to it?

I first met Silvia in Paris at a fashion week party when I was with Edgardo and Ricardo from Aquazzura, they introduced me. First of all, she is a Venus. She is a huge center of sweetness and strength at the same time. She is so elegant and so fun. It is difficult not to get attracted to her. And after I met her, I discovered her brand and it all made sense why the brand is so beautiful.

Inside Out