Hi! My name is Ilke โ Iโve worked as a successful multi-product designer and maker in the fashion industry for almost 10 years.
Iโd like to summarize myself as a multi-talented and multi-approached designer and maker with sustainability in mind. I have excellent knowledge of print design, fabric design, production (in print, weaving and clothing), garment construction and sewing.
This being said, I also offer Design & Consultancy services to help other businesses to help make better choices.
Alongside Ilke Usluca Design products, we also offerย bespoke designย services. If you are looking for something truly bespoke just for you or themed to your own personal requirements, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Iโve completed my MA in Textiles at Chelsea College of Arts / London and my BA in Textile and Fashion Design at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University / Istanbul.ย After Iโve been granted a scholarship after aย Fabric Designย competition I won (You can see Arakne Collection in the link below), I got accepted to UAL and I moved to London in 2014 for my MA. It was a great start to discovering more about the sustainability practices in textiles and seeing what can change in the industry. During my MA at Chelsea College of Arts, I specialised in sustainability and zero-waste in textiles.
After that, In 2015 I started my business as Design & Sewing Services business to help companies and designers. Iโve had a chance to work with many names including Mango, Asos, TK Maxx / Rockins, Strawberries & Cream, Petit Pli, Heidi Klein, Doc Cotton, Little Bevan, Lisa King, Fyodor Golan, James Hock, Gosha London, Bagpad London, and Geraldo Forazao. I even madeย Kylie Minogueโsย red boiler suit for her 2019 tour! During my freelance period, I focused on pattern making, sampling, bespoke sewing, small-sized productions as well as various design and consultancy services.
More about Ilke Usluca Design
Ilke Usluca Design focuses on creating earth-friendlyย andย consciousย textile products that are aiming to bring some joy while being eco-conscious. After working long enough in the fashion industry, I became increasinglyย aware of how unsustainable the fashion industry was. My care and passion forย sustainabilityย are not only in my products but also reflected in my life. I am doing everything in my power to reduce my carbon footprint by following a zero-waste lifestyle.
Therefore, I wanted to carry the sameย zero-wasteย approach to my brand, for people like me who areย conscious, eco-friendlyย and love their planet.
The reason I am using zero-waste practices in my products is to help cut down the pre-consumer waste.ย All the patterns are made from blocks of shapes and the excess fabric is folded into the product not to throw anything into the landfill. I measure each fabric I use and map out the best and most efficient way to cut first so that there are no unwanted or useless pieces.ย Consciousness, qualityย andย multifunctionalityย are among the core of my products.
From what Iโve gained from my experiences in the field, I amย designingย all the printsย andย handmakingย the products in my little studio. I believe in the power of prints and colours and with that belief, I am creating products to help us feel good and live better.
All of my fabrics areย digitally printedย with eco-inks, and they are more environmentally friendly than screen printing.ย Digital printing uses a lot less water than traditional screen printing techniques. Also, all our fabrics areย printed in the UKย to reduce shipping miles. In addition, all the packaging I use is made fromย recycled kraft paperย and can be recycled or reused again. Furthermore, to avoid virgin papers or non-recyclable papers like tissue paper I send all my products in cotton drawstring bags that customers can also use for something else. In conclusion, I aim to provide aย sustainable process from design to delivery.
