Designer Focus: Zeynep Kartal – Designer Of The Decade

Zeynep Kartal is a name, which was barely known a few years ago but now Zeynep Kartal is a renowned fashion designer who’s regularly showcasing at London Fashion Week and who dresses celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Rochelle Humes. I met Zeynep at her showroom on King Street after hearing so much about her and she was exactly how I thought she would be – bubbly, funny and very driven. Watch this space because Zeynep Kartal is slowly but surely overtaking the fashion world.

Has anything exciting happened since last time you spoke to VIVA? Yes, hopefully we are going to New York! Because we received an invitation for the New York Fashion Week; probably in September but I’m not sure yet. We will definitely decide in a week. There are three fashion weeks which are really important – New York, Paris and London – and this is the first year I have received an invitation for New York Fashion Week. It’s really good for me. I have just finished London Fashion Week, this year was my fourth season. Also, wedding fairs – we’ve been two times.

What are you currently working on? We are currently preparing a ready-to-wear collection for a big company in London. Also in Turkey, a big celebrity is starting her own new brand so I’m preparing her collection as well. I can’t say her name but she’s a WAG.

What should every woman have in her wardrobe? Leather trousers, black blazer, a black mini cocktail dress and a white shirt. Every woman definitely needs these in her wardrobe. 

So would you say it’s worth investing in these pieces? Yes, absolutely.

What is your biggest achievement so far? I think Lady Gaga. She’s already worn many of my dresses. I also dressed Amanda Holden; Cheryl Cole, on her single album cover; Nicole Scherzinger; all the soap stars and Rochelle Humes She actually said in an interview for OK magazine, “My favourite designer is Zeynep Kartal,” so I was really proud when I read that. I also dress Coleen Rooney, Pixie Lott, Emma Miller from LA and so many others. 

If you could choose a brand ambassador, who would it be and why? It would have to be Kate Middleton, she’s such a classy lady.

What would be your advice for aspiring fashion designers? Be patient; it’s not easy to own a label. There are many students starting their own label but, after a few months, they are gone. It’s not all about money. You need experience as well. Work experience and dedication are very important. 

With having showrooms in both London and Manchester, which city do you prefer? Definitely Manchester! I live here, my husband and kids live here, my life is in Manchester and it’s very safe here. I will never move to London. I will grow up here with my Manchester family helping Manchester uni students and Manchester ladies.

Considering you have done so much already, is there still some dream you would like to achieve? My dream is a big chain of Zeynep Kartal stores in every country and every city. That’s what I’m planning for the future and it will happen. I believe in it.

What will be happening in the near future? Some fashion shows, maybe London, maybe New York… We are also going to Cannes. We have been officially invited to the Cannes Film Festival.

See more of Zeynep Kartel’s work at www.zeynepkartal.co.uk

Photos; Shani Birkin Hodson. www.shanibirkinhodson.com.
Makeup; Danni O’Sullivan & Hair; Sophie Wohlters at Creatives.
Model; Sophie Parkin.