Young designer Alina Sonmez: “Fashion, in my eyes, is a dialogue between the creator and the wearer”

New faces. New talents. Interesting & cool designers just ready to conquer the fashion world. This spring we are going to meet some of the most talented emerging fashion designers, part of Romanian Design Week 2024 Young Design section. Let me introduce to you Alina Sonmez. 

Alina Sonmez is a young designer passionate about the structural manipulation of materials and always looking for innovative forms of print. Through personal experiments with various techniques and materials, she creates works inspired by contemporary art and deconstructivism.

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You can find Alina Sonmez on Instagram @son.mezon. 
Tickets for Romanian Design Week 2024 can be purchased from here. More details on website, Facebook and Instagram.

You are present in the RDW Young Design section at Romanian Design Week 2024. Which qualities/ strengths made you make it to the list? What do you think?

Being included in the RDW Young Design section at Romanian Design Week 2024 is an honour, and I believe that reflects my approach to integrating art into fashion. My “Edge of Reality” collection, which explores the interplay between reality and imagination, seems to align with the innovative spirit that RDW celebrates. I strive to blend traditional techniques, like quilting and draping, with contemporary ideas, aiming to create pieces that are wearable, yet thought provoking. This approach has shaped my style, and I hope it resonates with RDW’s mission to highlight emerging talent who bring new, avant garde ideas to design.

For you, as a designer, the fashion world is made of…

From my perspective, the fashion world is an expansive canvas filled with endless possibilities, narratives, and artistic visions. It’s a space where the boundaries of reality and imagination blur, where creativity meets functionality, and each thread and stitch tell a story. My journey during my years of study has shown me that fashion is an ever evolving art form, a beautiful fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative ideas. It’s about more than just clothes; it’s about the stories we tell, the norms we challenge, and the personal expressions we share. 
Fashion, in my eyes, is a dialogue between the creator and the wearer, an exploration of identity and expression, continuously evolving yet timeless in its quest for beauty. It’s a dynamic world, constantly changing with each season, where cultural influences and personal narratives intertwine to create a vibrant tapestry of styles and ideas.

Which are the biggest challenges for a young designer nowadays?

One of the most significant challenges is finding your own voice in a field teeming with talent and innovation. It’s about striking that fine balance between your creative vision and what actually resonates with the audience. Another challenge is embracing sustainability. It’s crucial, yet can be complex, especially when you’re trying to merge eco friendly practices with aesthetics and practicality. 
Another considerable challenge is keeping pace with rapid technological advancements that continually reshape the design and production landscape. Maintaining personal well being and staying true to the passion that initially drew me to fashion is a delicate balancing act. It requires resilience and adaptability to navigate these waters, without losing sight of my original love for the art of fashion.

Let’s talk about social media and AI a little bit. 🙂 Friends, enemies?

I’d say frenemies; social media and AI are powerful tools that can enhance and amplify creative expression significantly.  Like complex dance partners, social media is invaluable for its reach, enabling me to showcase my work to a global audience and engage with with those who share my vision. It’s a platform for expressing creative ideas and getting instant feedback. Meanwhile, AI opens doors for design innovation, pushing creativity with new techniques and perspectives. However, both can be demanding. The constant push for social media content can sometimes overshadow deeper creative work, while keeping up with AI’s rapid advancement requires balancing innovation with traditional design. But used wisely, they both offer new opportunities for creativity and connection in the dynamic world of fashion.

Name 3 moments that define you as a designer.

Graduating from UNArte was a game-changer for me changer for me –– it shaped not just how I design, but how I view the whole fashion landscape. 
Another moment is seeing one of my one of my designs go from a sketch to the final look: it is like watching a little part of me come alive. And the absolute best part? It’s seeing people out there wearing my creations. It’s incredibly surreal and rewarding –– that’s where all the hard work and dreams really hit home.

The designer you would like to ask for a coffee and a piece of advice would be…

If I had to choose just one designer for coffee and advice, it would be John Galliano. His visionary approach and unique aesthetic have always inspired me, and I’d love to gain insights from his rich experience in the fashion industry.

You wish you have invented…

Honestly, I don’t think I wish I had invented anything in particular. For me, the true joy of fashion design lies in the ongoing journey of creativity and innovation, building upon the past while shaping the future. It’s this ever-evolving process that I find most exciting and fulfilling.

What is next for you –– this year (school, collections, exhibitions etc.)?

This year is shaping up to be a time of exploration and diverse projects for me. I’m delving into various collaborations and projects that challenge my creativity in new ways, stepping beyond just creating collections. 
I’m also looking forward to participating in exhibitions to showcase my current work to a broader audience. Alongside these projects, I’m committed to continuous learning and evolution in my design approach, always seeking fresh inspirations and mastering new techniques to enhance my artistic expression.

Photography: Victor Oancea.

* Romanian Design Week is the multidisciplinary festival dedicated to creative industries, organized by The Institute, presented by UniCredit Bank and financed by the Ministry of Culture. This year it will take place between May 24 and June 2 in Bucharest, in the building of the former CINA restaurant (Benjamin Franklin, no. 10), near the Romanian Athenaeum. This year’s edition invites the public to explore the city and discover its potential, while investigating the ways in which creativity and innovation can shape the urban spaces of the future, under the theme “Unlock the city”.

* About RDW Young Design… 29 young designers and architects will be able to be seen in an exhibition dedicated to them, supported by Rompetrol and the Romanian Cultural Institute. Thus, the route of their personal development is contextualised, in a celebration of the beginnings of the road, as well as of the effervescence and courage of young talents.