Turkish Cypriot Mert Özyürekliler to show 10 looks from his migration-themed collection in Sydney

Turkish Cypriot fashion designer Mert Özyürekliler, founder of the Shirvanna label, will present ten looks from his new migration-themed collection in Sydney in November. The works will be shown at the Fabrics of Modern Australia (FOMA) festival, a showcase of textiles and contemporary design.

The 28-year-old designer’s workshop is located in his grandfather’s house in Akdoğan. He uses old tablecloths and fabrics inherited from his family, while drawing his themes from everyday life in Cyprus and the way of life on the Mesaoria plain (Mesarya).

Özyürekliler studied in England at the University for the Creative Arts and named the Shirvanna label after a character he invented as a child. He bought his first sewing machine in 2019 and has been producing items in small batches for around six years.

His first official collection was “Mandıra”, for which he used sheep’s wool from a torn blanket found in the same house belonging to his grandfather. The designer uses traditional Cypriot techniques in his work, including hesap embroidery from Lapta and Lefkara embroidery.

The new collection grew out of conversations with Cypriots who moved to Australia, England and other countries: what they left behind, what they took with them and what they passed on to future generations. It will be presented in full in December at the designer’s first show in Northern Cyprus.

Özyürekliler himself says he wants to preserve disappearing crafts and, in time, teach them to young people.