Women’s Bodies: Not a Man’s Territory
Once again Dilara Findikoglu established herself as my favorite designer as her visual narration of the female distress and sexual liberation just keeps getting better, stronger and more powerful.
Photo: Guen Fiore via Another Magazine
Continuing her exploration on female sexuality appropriation and liberation, her team and her took us to an old chapel in London where stilettos crashed the wood floors delivering an oddly serene atmosphere where a theatrical runway show took place.
A sensual and vivacious collection in the form of a social commentary; get your hands and orthodox beliefs off of Womens bodies!
Critics are calling Dilara’s collection a masterclass on seduction. Tapping into the discomfort of fetishes and sexual tensions through garments that represent both the dark and light socially constructed side of female sexuality.
Why dwell in discomfort? Simple, destroy mandatory modesty. If a woman wants to wear skin-baring clothes, unzip her coat, cover her head she will do so freely and willingly. It really comes down to the freedom to choose.
Photo: Guen Fiore via Another Magazine
Never shying away from vocalizing what she and her team stand for, utilizing fashion as a means to reflect on urgent social, political or environmental matters. Creating a space where women are in charge of everything that makes them who they are is what Dilara does best.
Powerful women and the liberation of their sexuality is at the forefront of Dilara’s designs and this time it felt personal. Back in September 22 years old Mahsa Amini was beaten to death for not wearing her hijab correctly at the hands of the Guidance Patrol officers in Syria. Amini’s death didn’t go unheard of as activists and feminists around the world made sure everyone knew what happens to women, how their life means nothing to some and how easy it is for their freedom to be stripped away. How our bodies aren’t ours.
A collection ignited by fury showing a distressed feminine version of what is expected. A gothic sex appeal where leather, wool, lace, bursting seams, transparencies, bodices, corsets, latex, faux fur and bejeweled underwear explored how one can undress and dress the body.
Classic Dilara symbolism included chains referencing bondage, skin-baring lingerie and even knives! A message of protest and anger delivered in black, shiny grey, flesh nude and her signature bright red. A color she uses in every collection and this time it took on a deeper meaning as it symbolizes life itself. Blood.
An incredible details collection as every look is perfectly layered from head-to-toe one look literally had knives head-to-toe! What makes this collection even more perfect are the names of each look; look 17 “not a man’s territory”, look 7 “‘full control” or look 3 “bad reputation”.
Everyone since forever has something to say about women’s bodies. About how women dress, how they take care of their bodies, about what they wear, how much skin they should show blah, blah, blah. Stop. Just stop. Women will dress however they please; it's as simple as that.