Featured in Marie Claire, VOGUE, Forbes + Her Couture worn by Kim Kardashian & Anya Taylor-Joy: A ONE YEAR UPDATE WITH BERFE ZENAL AT PARIS RUNWAY OFFICIAL

Story by: Brit Olivia

Berfe Zelal: A Year of Milestones in Fashion’s Most Fearless Visionary

It is hard to believe that our first article with Berfe was more than a year ago now. Last summer I came across this designer and instantly fell in love with not only the designs but her background. Being a fan of the turkish culture, I instantly dove into getting to know her more and what her art was telling the world.

Berfe Zelal has already made her mark on the global fashion map with a visionary voice that blends avant-garde aesthetics, cultural depth, and an unwavering commitment to originality. Over the past year, her name has appeared in the pages of VOGUE, Forbes, Marie Claire, and other prestigious publications, solidifying her reputation as one of fashion’s most compelling new talents.

Born in 1996, Berfe turned her lifelong passion for fashion into a professional career after graduating from Şişli Vocational School. What began as a personal exploration of style quickly evolved into a mission: to challenge norms and redefine what fashion could be. Her journey led her to found Sagalassos in 2020, a brand that has become synonymous with artistic expression and modern strength. Named after the ancient city, Sagalassos stands as a metaphor for timeless beauty and architectural power—a perfect reflection of Berfe’s design ethos.

The past year has been especially pivotal for the young designer. She styled international icons such as Kim Kardashian, Anya Taylor-Joy and Lady Gaga, bringing her boundary-pushing sensibility to red carpets and editorial spreads alike. These moments weren’t just career highlights... they were declarations that Berfe’s artistic vision belongs on the world stage.

At the core of her success is Sagalassos, a label that transforms the surreal and poetic into wearable form. With each collection, Berfe merges references from art, nature, and intellectual thought, presenting bold, sculptural pieces that challenge the definition of modern luxury. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: “Every woman and man should dress for themselves first.” This ethos permeates every stitch of her designs, creating clothes that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually arresting.

Beyond her work with Sagalassos, Berfe serves as a fashion coordinator for a growing retail network, develops capsule collections for export companies, and continues to deepen her expertise through ongoing education. Balancing an ever-demanding professional schedule, she remains grounded by spending time with her family, reading, researching, and attending cultural events that fuel her inspiration.

Berfe’s creative evolution is mirrored in the growing reach of Sagalassos Studio... a space that offers imaginative, editorial-driven collections that marry innovation with tradition. Like her influences such as Coco Chanel’s permanence of style and the enduring voice of non-conformist creators, Berfe Zelal is creating more than just garments. She’s building a cultural language that speaks to a new generation of fashion lovers.

In an industry often dominated by repetition, Berfe stands out for her courage to be different. And as the fashion world watches her rise, one thing is clear: her story is only beginning.