ZEYNEP TOSUN | FALL / WINTER 2012

For her fourth collection, designer Zeynep Tosun started with the image of the woman who would wear the clothes, not the clothes themselves. Fresh from opening her flagship store in Istanbul, Tosun designs for a woman like herself – strong, independent and in control. As such, the collection is an interesting mix of the expected and the eclectic.

Folky cloaks were worn with embroidered ankle grazing trousers and leather detailed leggings were featured as prominently as tailored structural coats and fluid silk tunics – certainly a designer trying to please a mass audience.

The collection also drew on a number of winter’s biggest trends. Tribal patterns were a favourite with the designer and she used them to good effect on high neck tunics finished with stunning metallic clasps. The effect was a brilliant balance between traditional Asian dressing and edgy cool for a modern urban woman. This feel continued throughout the show. Designs that felt almost mythical in their aesthetic were given inspired twists via intricate embroidery and careful attention to detail – this coupled with the models ethereal, icy make up and anime-style hair saw the collection become firmly part of next season’s futuristic trend.

A collection which cleverly plays on the juxtaposition between the ancient and the super-modern, Zeynep Tosun has created a highly experimental but aesthetically pleasing collection sure to be a hit with the sartorially daring.

- Zoe Dickens