Dilara Findikoglu’s debut bridal collection is an all-inclusive gothic romance
[D]ilara Findikoglu has delved into the depths of modern romance, creating an avant-garde all-inclusive campaign for everyone from homosexual lovers to singletons for her debut bridal collection, Die for Love.
“The collection seeks to question the meaning of love,” Findikoglu says. “And to challenge the way in which society views marriage and sexuality.” Findikoglu’s models are made up of NYC drag queen duo Harry Charlesworth and Scott “Sussi” Sussman, real couple Joss-George Gilbert and Anna Taylor, interracial couple Georgina D’Silva and Keown Gardner and artist/activist Saffiyah Khan.
The campaign, in collaboration with Ellie Grace Cumming and Casper Sejersen, looks like it’s straight out of an ethereal medieval novel. Think mounds of tulle, ribbons and crinoline. But in the name of love, it’s a guilt-free abundance of fabric as Findikoglu used recycled wedding dresses, vintage Victorian mourning jewels and leftovers from her other collections.
The Central Saint Martins graduate, who formed a protest runway in her final year for design students who didn’t make the official press show (#encoreCSM), continues to challenge conventions with her unusual wedding designs embracing all-inclusive romance. Taking inspiration from tragedies like Pyramus and Thisbe, where the lovers end up killing themselves; Findikoglu’s bespoke collection choose passion over a happily ever after.
