INTERVIEW WITH THE FABRIC DESIGNER. The history of the creation of the world-known brand.

Today our guest is Hande Baytimur, a very unusual and bright personality.

16.02.2015, Стиль и цвет

She is from Turkey. She is a designer and runs her own fabric brand, sets trends and sells her ideas around the world. Her designs are recognizable in the collections of suppliers. WilliZ were glad to get acquainted with Hande and learn how she manages to create such bright collections.

It took some time for Hande to come to the textile market, although her father is the owner of a large Turkish holding “Dilhan”.

After studying Hande started her career as a bank clerk, but soon she realized that banking was not for her. Then her father offered to organize the work at the just bought old factory. Unexpectedly, the young girl was among factory shops and decayed machines instead of the office. Hande hides behind a soft smile what she had to endure. Hande chose a unique author’s design as her advantage. For several years she made her company successful, introduced her own brand, provided representation around the world and she is not going to stop.

The head of WilliZ, Maria Belova, asks the questions.

- Thank you for finding time to come for an interview during the exhibition. By the way, how often do you visit the Heimtextil?

We come here every year to be aware of fashion and new tendencies. This is my eleventh trip. Here I learn about what is happening, and about our place in the industry.

Moreover, always we buy a unique, striking fabric at the exhibition.

-A European one?

Yes, Italian. Sometimes something makes me do crazy things.

- I saw some of your new designs at the MosBuild. And I have seen some more your designs during the year so now I can recognize your work, because it stands out among others.

I try to make my style unique so that it will stand out among others. I love to work with fabrics. From time to time I have different ideas and I think about how to use them and what to implement them into.

-When do such ideas come? What inspires you?

For the most part, flowers, fresh flowers and plants inspire me. And once I looked at butterflies and thought "how beautiful and bright they are!”

(these flowers are placed manually, so they look more natural)

-I really liked your design with butterflies.

Three or four years ago, this design was not popular, but we took the risk and made it, and a year later...

-It became one of major trends in Europe.

Yes, you are right. Sometimes I have great ideas and I think what to do with them. We need to explore an idea thoroughly, to look at it from all sides. Sometimes the design may seem rather simple, but actually, all the complexity is hidden in small details.

-For example, in color?

Exactly. In my opinion, women are better at noticing the details than men. When I was a child, I felt so hurt because I thought that textile production is a men occupation, therefore my brothers would do it. Now I understand that, actually, this is a women occupation. Because we are the main buyers of textile products.

- Women determine the main trends in textile fashion.

Exactly! When I was invited to Russia, I realized that mainly women own this market.

-Yes, in Russia it is more female industry.

And they are so strong! I always congratulate them with the purchase. Men, as a rule, just carry what they buy.

- Yes, maybe. For example, many textile shops are run by women. Women decide what trading platforms are needed, what design, model and the like.

Yes, women are experts in this deal; we all know what we want. And of course , a uniqueness is very important for women. I create things that are selling well and at the same time, they carry something special. For example, now I am working on the design with birds, but we will not mass-produce it right away, we will first make a small consignment. Last year we used a laser processing of colored fabrics and printed patterned colors one by one.

-When did you start to use a laser processing?

Many years ago, as far as I remember, in 2006.

-Really? As far as I know, laser processing became widely used only 2 years ago. You were one of the first.

If you are in Bursa, I will show you our old models and colors. Unfortunately, a design also gets out of date. Although, sometimes a second birth happens. Once one of the Greek agents saw our old designs and said, "Wow, it’s a very interesting design”. He introduced himself and invited us to Greece. I went with my models and people liked them. After that, we became quite successful players in the Greek market. Every year they made me do something new, they wanted to see something modern. Even when I did not have the inspiration, they still demanded something new.

- And now Greece is one of your main markets?

It was before the crisis. Now everything is different, but we still have sales in Greece. When someone buys something, someone else comes and wants to buy the same thing. And we have to answer that it was already sold. Then he or she asks us to make more. And we make a triangular and quadrangular models, I think, all possible forms. They ask me to make something. I do different models with different colors and many other things. There is the same style, the same technology, but many different implementations.

-What do you think about the Russian market? Is your design successful there?

-Yes, my models are quite successful in the Russian market. I know very well what you prefer. When a Russian woman comes to us I know what may be interesting for her in my collection, I know her preferences. I also sell my models in Japan, Singapore and China, where, incidentally, they like most of all the quality of my products. And, of course, I sell in the USA, Europe and around the world.

-What is the difference of preferences among these countries?

Last month I was in China and they really like everything that is connected to flowers. But in Russia the flowers pattern is not popular. Russians prefer the classic style because they believe that classic meets rich, successful people. Thus, China loves flowers, Russia does not like them. However, in Europe people love the bright colors, shining lines and limited collections. And the colors should match well.

- For example, beige, white.,,

Yes, beige, white and green. Russians love these colors as well, and also gold color. In the Middle East, where we also sell a lot, they prefer dark colors and emphatic details. When I am going to some country, I think about the tastes of its people. My mind begins to think differently, I think, as a Russian, a Chinese and so on.

-In other words, you think about how they wear their clothes, what they look like, what colors they prefer and stuff like that?

-Exactly. Each time is different.

(This fabric is very expensive because it contains real feathers of peacocks)

-Do you make designs for “Dilhan”?

Yes, I do.

- And does the company “Dilhan” produce everything?

-No, we have another factory. The “Dilhan” has its own fabric and we have ours. But I design something for them. I purchase fabrics everywhere and constantly compare the prices and quality. Any company can become my supplier, but I still prefer to work with the “Dilhan”. I constantly communicate with them; tell them what to do and what do not to do. Sometimes other companies can delay the delivery for some reason. It is easier to work with “Dilhan”, but sometimes I purchase fabrics from others. I purchase what I need, I do what I want and always can sell the products to “Dilhan” or someone else.

- You sell you fabrics through the textile companies and you have your own brand of fabric, don’t you?

-Yes, I have my own brand, which is called Yanni.

-You have your own brand, own company and you are completely independent from the family. Is it right?

Of course my family helps me with models.

-I thought that the Turkish families are quite traditional and it is difficult for women to do business.

My father is not like others, he always supports me. He believes that you should pay more attention to the girl than men, because men are able to work anywhere, but girls are not; therefore he treats me with understanding. I do everything in my power, and he knows it and believes in me, he supports me. And this is one of the reasons of my success. When I was a child, he protected me, he did not allow me to go to the parties and so on. Now I grew up and he allows me to do all that I want. He has changed so much.

- Thank you for the interview. We really like your models!

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