A Realistic Dreamer in Fashion: Dilayla Kopuz
Dilayla Kopuz is making waves in Scandinavia as a young Turkish entrepreneur in the field of sustainable fashion, drawing attention with both her personal style and her innovative clothing brand, [IM]perfectionists. We spoke with Dilayla about her brand and her decision to work with industrial hemp in her designs.
Q: As a Turkish woman entrepreneur, you own a brand in Scandinavia—but beyond that, who is Dilayla Kopuz?
I’m a sustainability entrepreneur—22 years old, to be precise, having just turned 22, which makes this my very first interview at this age. I was born in Istanbul and moved to the UK at 17 to study at university. Later, shaped by the pandemic and the impact of Brexit, I co-founded my brand in Copenhagen with my business partner, in what is considered the capital of sustainable fashion.
I have always described myself as a realistic dreamer. I believe that dreaming is essential for success—but only when it remains grounded in reality.
Q: As a sustainability entrepreneur, why fashion?
The fashion industry is among the most environmentally damaging industries in the world. Every year, more than 100 million tonnes of clothing are discarded—most of it made from synthetic, non-biodegradable materials. Much like plastic bottles, these garments can take years to break down.
Synthetic textiles also cause environmental harm at multiple stages, from the dyeing process to everyday washing in household machines. I wanted to create products that could offer solutions to these issues. Of course, my lifelong interest in fashion also played a role in choosing this path.
Let’s talk about [IM]perfectionists. Your brand’s creative vision frequently references concepts such as industrial hemp, digital fashion, innovation, and biodegradability. Could you tell us more about this approach?
I usually describe [IM]perfectionists using three words: sustainable, ethical, and innovative. I use natural materials in every detail of my designs. At present, my pieces are made from a blend of industrial hemp and organic cotton. From embroidery threads to sewing yarns and even our labels, everything is 100% cotton.
In terms of biodegradability, we are working to become one of the pioneering brands in this space. Biodegradability refers to a product’s ability to break down naturally through biological processes involving microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi, returning safely to elements like water and CO₂. By ensuring that every component of our designs is entirely natural, we aim to achieve full biodegradability.
We practise ethical production, meaning our team works in healthy environments and is never paid below the minimum wage. Innovation plays a key role not only in our use of new, natural fabrics but also in our design process. By creating our prototypes through CLO 3D, we significantly reduce waste caused by incorrect sampling.
We also have a 3D avatar, named Fei Fei, developed in collaboration with 3D artists Gülistan Kavvasoğlu and Emily Switzer. Even our launch event one year ago was presented entirely in 3D.
How did the brand name [IM]perfectionists come about?
The word [IM]perfectionists does not actually exist. It is a term I created by drawing inspiration from movements in Turkish literature and by playing with the word “mükemmeliyet,” the English equivalent of “perfection.” The meaning behind it is the idea that our imperfections are what truly make us who we are.
For many years, the fashion industry—regardless of gender—has imposed certain beauty standards, and I believe these standards place unnecessary pressure on people. Rather than encouraging individuals to look in the mirror and try to resemble ideals created by others, [IM]perfectionists symbolises the freedom to simply be oneself.
https://happyfashionandfood.com/2021/10/30/modada-realist-bir-hayalperest-dilayla-kopuz/