3 Minute Thread: Elif Gencer
"I’ve tried out so many styles, whilst exploring the million selves contained within me"
Do you remember when I wrote about the indie boutique defying the retail fallout? One of the five independent designers I spoke to was Elif Gencer, the designer behind the brand Elif. Elif sounds like elegant, and that’s exactly what she is. Here she is showing us that less is more.
Who are you?
Elif Gencer, Londoner with a Turkish twist. I run my brand Elif & co-run Alta Store and design at Cou Cou Intimates.
What are you wearing?
I’m wearing a white button down (base to many of my outfits) from my brand, Elif, with a secondhand Ralph Lauren jacket and Marques Almeida jeans. And the most beautiful and unfussy bag I own, from Fane.
Why did you choose this outfit?
I think a classic white shirt has so much power. I love wearing clothes with collars, cuffs and all that good stuff. I’m quite a silly person by nature, so the contrast between looking ‘serious’ and then being very much the opposite is amusing to me.
I’ve tried out so many styles, whilst exploring the million selves contained within me, and found that I feel most comfortable in clothes that are not overly designed, but are special (to me?). Ones which I can wear on rotation with slight tweaks. Doing less, but better, seems to work for me right now. My mother - who tirelessly whispered classic style tips in my ear - is proud.
Where did you wear it/ where are you planning to wear it?
A very usual day in London winter (+ a wool coat top layer that doubles as a blanket).
What’s the best style lesson you’ve learned over the years?
Wear what feels natural and is instinctive to you in that moment. Getting dressed is supposed to be play and your clothes do not define you.
One person you think has great style?
My mum in the late 90s, Carrie Bradshaw, Caroline Bassette Kennedy.
Best life hack?
Owning less is key to reducing unnecessary time spent in the midst of wardrobe malfunctions.
Your favourite person to follow?
Simplicitycity for beautiful archival moments.
One recommendation to read/ watch/ listen/ see or do?
I recently met a very special friend from Istanbul who showed me this album and I’ve been playing it on loop since then; ‘The Ballistic Brothers - Ballistic Brothers V the Eccentric Afros Vol.1’.
Follow Elif on Instagram here and here and discover the brand on her website.
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