This is because Süer is the only a fashion designer who has made an academic career for herself in Turkey. She now is a teacher at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, the same institution from which she herself graduated, and she offers a class once a week at the university. Süer's entry into the world of fashion design goes back to when she was preparing a fashion show for her own doctoral thesis. The outfits modeled at this show were so well received that Süer got orders from many people. You are a professor in the fine arts faculty. And actually, the world press gives you lots of special attention because of this.
For me to be able to share my own knowledge in this way is a great spiritual gift in my life. Contributing to education in general is, I believe, one of the most important acts we can engage in. Also, sharing knowledge is one way of really cleansing your own ego and any complexes you might have.
Of course, the fact that you do teach at a university brings you some extra respect, does it not?
Well, I really only teach because of how it makes me feel, but yes, I suppose the fact that I am a member of this faculty as well as a fashion designer places me in a special category. As a result of what I do, I get constant invitations to conferences, speeches and fashion shows outside of Turkey. The idea that a fashion designer whose creations are sold in prestigious boutiques would also be engaged in an academic career tends to attract a lot of attention. Investors offer me funds for opening stores, and the media show me much attention, too. There are not many fashion designers like me in the world, and the educational level of those on my team is high. We have a very academic style that manifests itself in our shows. There is always something we are trying to say, a manifesto we are trying to get across, in our shows.
But in the end, you too are producing clothing. Why should people say, “This is an outfit that really says something,” rather than “What a beautiful outfit”?
The most recent economic crisis has helped make it this way because it has become clear that money only gives you so much in the way of fulfillment. We are still in a world of great change. But what is not set to change are people's spiritual journeys. People are nowadays pursuing meaning. They want their clothing to have meaning, to have something to say. So, I really do a lot of research. I travel; I read. No doubt there are about 10 new books that enter my home, just for me, every month. More than books wherein the writers talk about their feelings though, I really love the books filled with lots of information. I use these books to help inspire my new collections.
In recent years, fashion has been described as an art of its own, and thus fashion designers are artists. What do you think is the reason for this?
The people designing the clothes you wear are also influencing your outlook on life. For example, a certain outfit might be sewn and presented as “This is a masterpiece, and it was created for this purpose.” And from now on, fashion shows will not really be about showing off new outfits but about being artistic performances. This new understanding of fashion means that rather than the old “Buy, wear and throw away,” we are seeing a “Buy a meaningful piece of clothing from the very spot it was produced and wear it.”
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