In Conversation with Züleyha Kuru
In the world of contemporary couture, where craftsmanship and emotion must coexist in perfect balance, few designers capture the spirit of modern romance quite like Turkish couturier Züleyha Kuru. Since founding her eponymous label in 2014, Kuru has quietly built an international reputation for creating pieces that feel both poetic and powerful, designs that honour traditional couture techniques while speaking fluently to the sensibilities of today’s woman.
From her fashion houses in Istanbul and Ankara to an expanding presence in Los Angeles, Kuru has cultivated a distinctive aesthetic rooted in timeless elegance, feminine strength and exceptional artisanal detail. Her early collections, first unveiled in Paris and New York, immediately drew attention for their sculptural beauty and emotional depth, establishing her as a compelling new voice within global couture. Since then, her work has continued to evolve with a clarity of vision that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Below, we speak with the celebrated designer about her craft, the evolution of her business, and the recent extraordinary bridal couture commission that marked a defining moment in her creative journey.
The Wedding of Bilge and Cengiz photographed by Katarina Fedora.
The wedding of Bilge and Cengiz was such a monumental moment. What did creating that couture design mean to you personally, and what made the gown such a defining moment for your creative bridal journey?
The gown I designed for Bilge and Cengiz’s wedding became one of the most emotional and artistic projects of my career. It was not simply a wedding dress; it was a culmination of the aesthetic vision, craftsmanship, and imagination I have developed over many years. The romantic atmosphere of Rome, the dramatic spirit of Baroque art, and the bride’s strong personality all came together within a single story. For this reason, the design became much more than a couture piece—it became one of the strongest expressions of my brand’s creative identity.
The main wedding gown drew inspiration from the elegance of antiquity and the grandeur of Baroque artistry. Crafted from luxurious silk taffeta, its sculptural silhouette celebrated modern femininity, while intricate handcrafted detailing extended throughout the train, becoming one of the design’s most striking features.
Each motif was meticulously created by hand, informed by ancient architectural ornamentation, historic reliefs and the decorative richness of the Baroque period. The train became a living work of art, creating a sculptural presence that came to life with every movement.
A standout element of the bridal look was the veil, crafted entirely from vintage silk chiffon. Its soft, fluid texture and ethereal movement caught the light beautifully, lending a romantic and timeless quality to the overall design.
Every flower, branch and three dimensional embellishment adorning the veil was individually handcrafted from the same vintage silk chiffon. Through its organic forms and exceptional artisanal craftsmanship, the veil became far more than an accessory, evolving into a couture work of art that completed and enriched the narrative of the gown.
The dress and kimono designed for the bridal preparation moments were also created from the same vintage silk chiffon. Inspired by the historic atmosphere of Rome, their flowing silhouettes and handcrafted floral details created a seamless visual connection between the getting ready look and the main wedding gown.
Couple: @bilgeyenigul @cengizunder
Photographer @katarinafedora / Videographer @puciwed / Additional photo + video content from couple & guests / Event design + Planning @gulizsnr @ra.experience / Make up @serhatsenn / Hair @cemilirez / Gown @zuleyhakuru @zuleyhakuruwedding / Accessories @kubrapakdesign / Shoes @canes1978 / Suit @faruksaracofficial / Venue @castellotorcrescenza_official / Catering @mercuryevents / @californiacateringrome / DJ @tanerozturkmusic / Band @theshakesliveband
Your work is known for balancing softness with structure so beautifully. How do you approach creating silhouettes that feel both romantic and powerfully modern?
For me, romance and strength are not opposites; they complement one another. I believe a woman should feel both graceful and powerful at the same time. To create that balance, I combine soft fabrics with architectural forms and fluid movement with strong corseted structures. The result is a silhouette that feels both emotional and modern.
Corsetry has become a signature within your collections. What draws you to this form, and how do you reinterpret it for the contemporary woman?
Corsetry has long been one of the most powerful symbols in women’s fashion. However, my approach is not about repeating history but reinterpreting it. I see the corset not as a restriction, but as a structure that enhances confidence, posture, and presence. Comfort, freedom of movement, and natural femininity are always at the forefront of my designs.
All imagery featured below is from the latest Züleyha Kuru L’Âme De Versailles collection.
Your designs often feel deeply evocative and cinematic. Where do you most often find inspiration when beginning a new collection?
I often find inspiration in art history, architecture, travel, and the stories of extraordinary women. Sometimes a palace, a painting, or even an entire city becomes the starting point of a collection. When I design, I am not simply creating garments; I am building an atmosphere, a character, and an emotion.
There is a strong sense of artistry and storytelling in your work. How important is emotion in your design process?
Emotion is at the heart of everything I create. A design can be technically perfect, but without emotion, it feels incomplete to me. Every piece should tell a story. When a woman wears one of my designs, I want her not only to look beautiful, but also to feel unforgettable and deeply connected to the piece.
You launched your brand in 2014 and quickly gained international attention through Paris and New York. Looking back, what were those early years of building the house like?
They were intense, courageous, and incredibly educational years. I had ambitious dreams, but every step had to be built carefully and patiently. Presenting my collections in Paris and New York was a defining moment for the brand. Those years taught me the importance of discipline, perseverance, and staying true to a clear creative vision.
How has your perspective on bridal evolved as the modern wedding wardrobe has become increasingly expansive and less bound by tradition?
Today’s brides are no longer looking for just one look. They want different expressions of themselves throughout the wedding journey, from getting ready, to the ceremony, to the reception and after-party. I find this evolution incredibly exciting because it allows for greater creativity and individuality. Bridal fashion has become much more personal, expressive, and free.
Your designs are now worn by women around the world through your ateliers and international stockists. How do you preserve the intimacy of couture while expanding globally?
Even as the brand grows internationally, the couture philosophy remains unchanged. We maintain close communication with our clients and carefully oversee every detail, from measurements to fittings and final finishes. No matter where a client is located, we want her to feel that her experience is personal, unique, and truly special.
What details or craftsmanship techniques do you believe define a truly exceptional couture piece?
What makes a couture piece exceptional goes far beyond its appearance. It is the internal construction, the hand-finished details, the precision of the pattern-making, and the countless hours of craftsmanship behind it. True couture requires perfection not only in what is visible, but also in what remains unseen.
For brides beginning their couture journey, what guidance would you offer when searching for a gown that feels entirely their own?
I always encourage brides to listen to themselves rather than simply follow trends. A wedding gown should not only be beautiful, but it should also reflect the bride’s personality, spirit, and individuality. The right dress is the one that still feels hers authentically when she looks back at her photographs many years later.
What excites you most about the future of the Züleyha Kuru house, and what can we expect next from the brand?
What excites me most is continuing to grow internationally while preserving the soul of couture. We are currently working on new bridal collections, couture eveningwear projects, and collaborations across different parts of the world. Our goal is to bring our vision of timeless elegance and modern courage to even more women globally.
Thank you to Züleyha Kuru (pictured above right) for your time and insight.
Züleyha Kuru Couture brand information and history
At the heart of every Züleyha Kuru design is a profound understanding of silhouette. Delicate yet structured corsetry, fluid draping, soft vintage lace and voluminous architectural sleeves have become signatures of the house, each element thoughtfully considered to create garments that feel alive with movement and feeling. There is an unmistakable tension in her work between softness and structure, nostalgia and modernity, a balance that gives her pieces their unmistakable allure.
Inspiration is often drawn from the evocative spirit of cities, the quiet symbolism of nature and the richness of cultural heritage. Yet these references never feel literal. Instead, they are distilled into subtle gestures, the curve of a sleeve, the line of a bodice, the placement of hand-finished detailing, creating garments that suggest emotion rather than simply decoration.
This sensitivity to storytelling has made Kuru particularly sought after within bridal couture. Her gowns are not designed simply to be worn; they are designed to be experienced. Each piece is conceived as an extension of the woman wearing it, intended to amplify individuality while creating a sense of timeless occasion. It is this deeply personal approach that has made her a trusted name for brides seeking something extraordinary.
Beyond bridal, Kuru’s world continues to expand through luxury ready-to-wear and global partnerships, including collaborations with Anthropologie and international stockists such as Revolve. These ventures have introduced her vision to a broader audience while preserving the artistry and integrity that remain central to her work.
What makes Züleyha Kuru’s creations so compelling is their refusal to follow fleeting trends. Instead, they exist within a space of enduring beauty, garments that celebrate craftsmanship, femininity and self-expression in equal measure.
In redefining modern couture, Kuru offers something increasingly rare: clothing with soul. Pieces that transcend fashion’s fast-moving cycle to become stories, memories and heirlooms in their own right.
See more at zuleyhakuru.com or @zuleyhakuruwedding
