Pant Along

How did the name "Pant Along" come about? How does this name reflect the spirit of the brand?

The idea for Pant Along emerged in 2019 while filming the TV series "Sefirin Kızı" (The Ambassador's Daughter) in Bodrum. I always wanted to combine it with my own industry; I had a desire to find a business idea that would allow me to effectively use creativity and visual arts, and do it with passion. I was considering leaving this field, but I evaluated my possibilities and started analyzing my life journey from the very beginning. My story also began with me remembering being in a fashion workshop while still in my mother's womb. Since my mother was a former fashion designer, I grew up with the stories of that fashion house. I realized that my interest and curiosity in design stemmed from this, and I aimed to create a brand related to fashion. During this time, I shared this idea with my actress friend Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, whom I met on the set of the series. She motivated me a lot in this regard. Then, our first productions started with Italian-cut men's trousers in my uncle's textile workshop. The first products I produced were immediately sent to Neslihan, and I received her feedback. However, The brand structure already existed. Neslihan, who has excellent style and taste, put her heart into it; we thought about it for a few days, and she came to me with the idea of ​​Pant Along, which incorporated the concepts of consistent unity and breath. I really liked the idea and immediately started the patenting process. Thus, Pant Along was formed both materially and spiritually.

What is the story behind your slogan, “Unique Hands from Istanbul”?

The slogan “Unique Hands from Istanbul” emphasizes the cultural heritage of Istanbul, the craftsmanship forged in this cultural mill, and how special the craftsmen who produce these items are. Therefore, today, it's possible to see the hands of our craftsmen, and even the hands of their masters. At Pant Along, you're essentially experiencing a work of art passed down from generation to generation. This slogan contains both our own taste and a tribute to the masters in their respective fields through our collective efforts. In every area of ​​our production, we prioritize ensuring that every product, whether manufactured or not, is preserved in a way that satisfies the hearts of our entire team. It's not just one hand, but several... We are formed from the coming together of hands. That's why we lived and embraced the slogan "The Special Hands of Istanbul."

How does Istanbul shape the aesthetic and production style of your brand?

For Pant Along, Istanbul is not just a city; it's like a living character that uses our production method and aesthetic understanding. In this city, you can encounter both centuries-old art and a very modern perspective on the same street. Our design language is born from these encounters. On one hand, there is the fragmented handcraft culture of the Grand Bazaar, and on the other, the constantly transforming contemporary structure of Istanbul. At Pant Along, we try to melt these two worlds together in the same pot. You can sense both traditional structure and modern touches in our designs and productions.

What art movements, periods, or disciplines inspire you?

It's difficult to say that we draw from a single art movement, but managing the entire process with a sense of unity is our greatest inspiration because the aesthetic world of Pant Along is formed by the coming together of different disciplines, periods, and cultural layers. Especially minimalist art, traditional culture, and a timeless design language. It makes us feel connected to familiar spaces. In addition, cosmic forms and architectural surfaces also nourish the aesthetic world of our designs. The structure of our first collection, designed by Elif Asar, was inspired by lace motifs from Anatolia. It emerged from the idea of ​​taking patterns of real lace textures piece by piece, transforming an old handcraft into a more modern and timeless form. While the texture of our designs is taken from lace, the names of the pieces are taken from the stars in the sky. This actually describes the aesthetic world of Pant Along very well; on one hand, cultural memory from the past, and on the other, a cosmic world that gives a sense of infinity.

Besides fashion, what are your areas of interest that inspire you (cinema, literature, politics, etc.)?

Besides fashion, cinema is one of the developments that inspires us the most. Cinema directly changes the world of Pant Along with its storytelling, use of light, character creation, and atmosphere-building methods. At the same time, we have started producing a series under the leadership of "AURA" within Pant Along, featuring names that have made their mark in their fields. This project includes interviews, fashion shoots, and content created by bringing together creative people from different disciplines. It is located in a place where we witness the stories and experiences of people who inspire with both their productions and their lifestyles. We are starting to begin. These productions do not leave Pant Along's healing power solely in a product-based context, but also carry it to a visual medium. I think this is precisely one of the aspects that makes the brand unique.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an independent brand in Turkey?

Being an independent brand in Turkey gives us the most freedom. Because we can completely create our production language, our aesthetic understanding, and the world we want to portray according to our own taste. Instead of following trends, we have the chance to create a production and design method that we truly believe in. The challenging aspect is that independent production requires serious effort and patience. Especially in handcrafted production, you need to be directly involved in every stage. You try to manage the design, production, content, communication, and creative aspects of the brand simultaneously. In an era where people encounter hundreds of brands every day, building a sincere and sustainable relationship of trust takes time. It's not easy to make people believe in you without being as visible as large structures. That's why we have prioritized transparency from the very beginning, making our production processes visible, and producing work that we are truly passionate about.

If Pant Along were a person, what kind of character would it be? Trustworthy, dangerous, or distant?

If Pant Along were a person, I think at first glance it might seem a little distant. It wouldn't be a character that reveals itself quickly, but rather one that shows its layers over time. Quiet but with character, someone who makes their presence felt without shouting. Their trustworthy nature stemmed from their sincere approach to situations.

Do you believe in the concept of "trends" or do you completely reject it?

We don't completely reject the concept of trends because each era creates its own aesthetic language and mood. Seeing what people are drawn to can be important in terms of reading the visual memory of the age. But we think that producing solely trend-focused work eventually leads to a lack of identity. You can't always adapt to change so quickly; it's against the nature of the work. What's important for us is not chasing a fleeting trend, but creating a character that can withstand the test of time. That's why at Pant Along, we work on productions that are more timeless, that can live on for a long time, and that can blend into a person's own story.

Have you ever had a piece where you thought, "This won't sell well, but I have to make it"?

No.

Can you sense the difference between someone who truly understands you and someone who only consumes?

We can, and I think that's one of the best things about independent brands. Over time, you start accumulating not just customers, but people who speak the same language as you. And that connection is incredibly valuable to us.