Interview with Serpil Karuserci

Politics Newspaper: Ms. Serpil, can you tell us briefly about yourself?

Karuserci: I was born in Gaziantep. I finished primary, secondary and high school in Gaziantep. I won the Economics Department of Adana Economic and Commercial Sciences Academy. In 1973, I worked for Gaziantep Municipality for 5 years. While working at Gündüz Belediye, I attended the evening courses of the Girls' Vocational High School for 2 years, attended sewing, batik, embroidery, stained glass, ceramics, handicrafts courses and received certificates. In my spare time, I made batik covers, flowers, oil painting, stained glass and ceramic paintings. I received a lot of training in my field.

After three months of work with Spanish designer Miguel Valls and his design team, we launched the DreamON Brand ; We have patented in 54 countries. With DreamON Brand, we have reached 145 sales points and 14 franchises in Turkey. DreamON has dealers in many cities of Turkey such as Ankara, Istanbul, Adana, Antalya and Cyprus. We export to 24 countries including world fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan and New York. Our designs under the DreamON brand are available in 148 boutiques in Italy. It has agencies in the Netherlands, France and Poland. We organize fashion shows at home and abroad. I have been working in many NGOs for years. In addition to the studies on women, I make presentations on entrepreneurship at vocational high schools for girls.

Political Newspaper: You started your designer life with the dress you made for your doll when you were only five years old, and you continue as a famous fashion designer who exports to the world's fashion centers such as Milan, Paris, London and 24 different countries. Did you envision such success back then? Could you share with our readers your process of coming to these days?

Karuserci: My dreams have always been high. Of course, the process of coming to these days has not been easy. Women in Anatolia, in particular, have to work harder and work harder than in the west. But I say there is nothing that a woman cannot achieve if she wants to. As long as the woman is given the opportunity. I have always set the bar high. If you set a goal and work hard towards that goal, you will reach the goal you want. Of course, you have to work with passion and determination.

Political Newspaper: In addition to the success of our women in business life, as in your example, their activities and successful activities in non-governmental organizations and professional organizations are also becoming widespread. In your opinion, how can the successful work of our women in non-governmental organizations contribute to the increase of their activities and weight in the field of politics? What do you think should be done about it?

Karuserci: Apart from their work in business, women's employment in non-governmental organizations opens some doors for them. They need to increase their effectiveness in the field of politics and take part in decision-making mechanisms. Women make up 51% of our population. We still cannot use the rights that our Great Leader Ata gave us before the whole world, the rights presented on a silver platter in 1934. Despite their legal rights, women are never where they should be. This is because we live in patriarchal families. Traditions, women's responsibilities, oppressive family life such as motherhood, housework, parental care; Father, spouse and older brother pressures are some of the reasons.

Political Newspaper: Fashion has a position that we can call a knife-edge, which is consumed quickly by its nature, can feel the effect of a certain period. Do you think it is possible to put fashion on a permanent basis? Which areas do I need to interact with for this?

Karuserci: Fashion is consumed very quickly. Of course, it is not possible to put fashion on a permanent basis. The important thing is to become a brand, if you continue in your line when you become a brand, if you make preparations without sacrificing quality, you will achieve success.

Now, in our age, everything is changing so quickly that we see that it has undergone a rapid change in every field from clothing to home textiles, from technology to technology. Designers sometimes design goofy products. I think it is necessary to work on the market. Fashion tells consumers " buy and throw ". That should be the slogan.

Political Newspaper: How do you evaluate that Turkey, which is ahead of many countries in textile production, does not have a world-renowned and popular brand in the field of ready-to-wear and accessories? What do you think should be done to create a brand?

Karuserci: The fact that our country, which is ahead in textiles, does not have a brand in ready-made clothing and accessories, is because they cannot become a brand. I am very against contract manufacturing. In our country, it is necessary to make an incredible amount of innovation and make a difference, especially in ready-made clothing.

Political Newspaper: In addition to your fashion designer identity, you also have the identity of a business woman with the employment you have created and the added value you have added to the economy. What are your plans for the future? Can you tell us about your roadmap for the coming years? Does this roadmap have an arrow pointing to the direction of politics? What strategy do you intend to follow in branding and opening new stores?

Karuserci: As DreamON wedding dress company, we have many goals in the future. First of all, we plan to move forward with the dealership system. We also aim to open our own stores in certain provinces. We are making efforts to expand our network abroad and have agencies outside the EU countries. In order to become a brand, we allocate a certain annual advertising budget and make our plans accordingly.

Finally, what are the points you would like to add?

Karuserci: Finally, there is no development without women. Women should meet with democracy and multiply as women in business life, which creates economic value. Wishing that women will no longer be exposed to violence since 2013, and that they take an equal place in decision-making mechanisms, in all areas of business life and in politics, according to their population.

DreamON Designers