HOW IT WAS BORN

Hi, I'm Merve, and KELOGLU is my baby.

Let me share my story with you from the beginning, and it's going to get a bit personal.

I’m 28 years old, and I'm an engineer by profession. Up until today, my focus has always been on school, studying, and later on, my career. There was little time for pursuing my passions. Every day, in every phase of my life, I've given 100% to excel in what I do. I had numerous goals I wanted to accomplish, such as completing my bachelor's and master's degrees, earning a good income, and working for a prestigious employer. I consistently achieved these goals.

I thought that having it all would make me happy. I believed I loved what I was doing. But at a certain point, I felt something was missing. I came to realize that what was absent from my career was my passion for fashion. My mom once told me that even as a child at the age of 5, I would choose my own clothes and pay attention to the fabrics. This statement stayed with me over the years, evoking positive feelings of happiness and fulfillment. As an adult, I continued to prioritize clothing quality, follow fashion trends, and keep an eye on prices. It was challenging to find fashionable and high-quality clothing at a fair price.

But how could I pursue my passion for fashion and give people like me the opportunity to access high-quality, reasonably priced clothing? Should I start my own label and design clothing myself? How could I do it when I hadn't studied fashion design? How could I reach people with my fashion? I'm not an influencer - I had no reach, no network. I thought I couldn't do it. At that point, my husband said to me, "You can do it, you will succeed, I know it. I believe in you and will always support you." His words touched me and made me think. I realized I needed to turn my dreams into reality and create something more meaningful for myself. And that's how KELOGLU was born – my own fashion label.

THE IDEA BEHIND KELOGLU

Sometimes, I really liked a piece of clothing, but something just didn't feel right - the quality, the fit, or the feel. Other times, I found some great pieces, but they were just too expensive. I have a very particular taste, and I want people to feel great in my clothes – stylish, confident, and comfortable.

I'm really proud of the fabrics we use; they look and feel amazing. Our clothes are fashionable, but they also have a classic vibe, so you can wear them for years. We work with smaller ateliers, not big factories. They're run by families, and I've been to each one to see how our clothes are made. I've talked to the owners and seen the hardworking people who make our clothes. It means a lot to me. Clothes have value, so they shouldn't be something you wear once and then forget about.

We're not about fast fashion. We take our time to create clothes for two seasons: Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. It's all about making clothes that last and feel great.

CHALLENGES

Did you know that many factories avoid using natural fabrics because they cost more and mistakes during sewing can lead to high expenses? It was always tough to find the right place to make our clothes and the fabrics needed. Sourcing materials takes a lot of time and effort – it's a full-time job. And because we were so specific about what we wanted, our options were limited. I designed knitted pieces, but many factories couldn’t make them because they required special equipment. Plus, making the knitted fabric itself was a big task, taking up time and money that we didn't have. Sadly, we had to drop those knitted pieces from our first collection.

We're trying to use as little plastic as possible, and we're hoping to do even better in the future. Polyester is used in fashion not only because it's cheaper but also due to the diverse benefits that this fabric offers. However, despite its advantages, polyester has its drawbacks. It’s not biodegradable and contributes to the issue of plastic pollution. Therefore, our aim is to diminish the use of polyester and explore more sustainable alternatives, aiming to provide both high-quality and eco-friendly clothing.

Sometimes, you're fortunate in life, and we were lucky to find an excellent partner in Istanbul who helped us connect with the right people. I'm endlessly thankful for everything they've done and their patience with us. I can’t thank the people around me enough.

SO WHY KELOGLU

We face the challenge that fashion must be either high-quality, wearable, or affordable. Please remember: if a product seems cheap, someone in the production chain likely didn't receive fair compensation. We aim to provide clothing that you (and I!) will genuinely adore and proudly wear.

We're far from perfect and recognize there's a long road ahead for us, as well as the entire industry. However, our goal is to become a fashionable and high-quality brand with fair working conditions and an affordable price. I'm proud of our progress in such a short time, and I assure you, we're dedicated to continuous improvement. I've poured my heart and soul into this, and I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

In Love, Merve