Creator Spotlight : Gökay Gündoğdu, designer

Gökay Gündoğdu has an attitude — and it’s how he makes a living. In 2014, this Turkish designer started his label T.A.G.G., which stands for The Attitude by Gökay Gündoğdu. “I care about the attitude and the power of the clothes,” he says. “I am very sensitive about social issues and women empowerment.”

Although raised in Turkey, Gökay didn’t stay still for long: he studied in New York and Milan. In 2018, he won the OpenMyMed prize awarded by Maison Mode Méditerranée. This year, Gökay is opening his first monobrand store in the Galataport neighborhood in Istanbul and is releasing his next collection this month.

At Ichtus Magazine, we discovered Gökay’s work through Maison Mode Mediterannée and were itching to learn more about his dramatic yet simple pieces. We asked him a few questions on spirituality, his latest projects and Istanbul.

Ichtus Magazine
Where do you find inspiration?

Gökay Gündoğdu

I get influenced by women and social issues of the day. Also, the city of Istanbul is very inspirational. It’s full of culture and beauty. It’s quite impossible not to get influenced by it. To see today’s women with strong attitudes makes me feel much more hopeful for the future.

I can’t agree more with “the future is female.” Females are caring, loving, nurturing and giving.

Ichtus Magazine
Is there a woman who particularly inspires you?

Gökay Gündoğdu

It is definitely my best friend, Makbule. She is 67 years old, and she is my best friend in life. I learned so many things from her. She has always been a muse and a mentor to me. I admire her as a strong visionary, forward thinker and modern woman. She has a big effect on whatever I do, and I feel so lucky to have such a strong woman in my life.

Ichtus Magazine
You’ve spent some time in the United States. How has all of your experience abroad influenced you?

Gökay Gündoğdu

All the time I spent abroad studying and working helped me develop my vision. New York has a totally different culture and vibe than Milan and Turkey. I would say the city being full of diversity and art influenced my views and vision a lot. It’s knowing that you have to work hard to stand alone on your feet to be yourself and to make yourself. It has such a powerful, unique energy. The articulation of my thoughts were always heard. I feel like I won my voice there.

Ichtus Magazine
Would you consider yourself a spiritual person?

Gökay Gündoğdu

Ichtus Magazine
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

Gökay Gündoğdu

The most satisfying part of it for me is being able to put what’s on my mind into something physical, seeing it develop and come together and creating something new and beautiful.

Ichtus Magazine
Tell us more about your new store in Istanbul.

Gökay Gündoğdu

We have been so busy with our first ever mono brand store in Galataport, which is the hippest neighborhood in Istanbul now. Galataport is the welcoming point of Istanbul for foreigners traveling by cruises. I am so happy to have my brand’s first ever store in such an important location. It is so nice to have a store to reflect the brand’s vision and atmosphere and display different pieces from the collection. It is also so exciting to have the first feedback from the clients about their wants and needs.

Ichtus Magazine
Congratulations, that’s a huge accomplishment. You’re also showcasing your fall collection, ROOT, this month. What can we expect from these new looks?

Gökay Gündoğdu

I concentrated on silhouettes this season. The sculptural tailoring; fluid shapes with layering pants under long tunics; and shirts, dresses and overpieces with capes are references from palaces during Ottoman times.

The colors used are from the palaces’ interiors in Istanbul such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Palace, and Çırağan Palace. Shades of beige come from Çırağan Palace. Red color comes from the carpets covering the stairs in the Dolmabahçe Palace. Mint green is inspired from the ceilings and tiles in the Topkapı Palace.

Iznik lapis tiles with a tulip pattern in the Topkapı Palace also inspired me to make belts of tulips in a very modern form of this iconic flower of the Ottoman Empire.

Ichtus Magazine
What are your favorite Mediterranean spots in Istanbul, Turkey?

Gökay Gündoğdu

My favorite hotel: Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Da Mario, the best Italian restaurant in town
Pandeli, an Ottoman cuisine restaurant built above the Spice Bazaar. The atmosphere is beautiful and unique, the walls are covered with tiles, and the food is traditional and so delicious.
Fey is a boutique with a reflection of such a great taste for me.
Rumelifeneri, a coastal village near Istanbul. It is one of my favorite places near Istanbul where I feel peace deeply.

Kristin Blake