The exhibition launched at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris as part of the main closing events of the Turkish Season in France, before travelling to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture events. In 2012 Istanbul Contrast visits the Amsterdam Museum, as part of events celebrating the 400th year of diplomatic and cultural relations.

After winning the Jameel Prize 3 in 2013, a dedicated exhibition for the winners opens in Hermitage-Kazan Museum, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia before travelling to the Museum of Islamic Civilisation in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

And what was the inspiration behind such richly detailed pieces?

Istanbul is a complicated, beautiful, flawed, eclectic city. From the haunting grandeur of the historic monuments, the domes of mosques, the imposing Galata Bridge to the noises and colours of the markets, the tastes and smells of our childhood, the Bosphorus uniting East and West, the city remains a kaleidoscope of colour, texture, history and architecture. The ultimate moodboard.

The Hagia Sophia dress, a contemporary interpretation of the impressive archangel Gabriel is one of the strongest pieces of the collection, showing different layers of civilization from the Byzantine era through the Ottoman Empire. Entirely hand stitched, the complex embroidery of this coat bows down to the extraordinary mosaic work at Hagia Sophia, while also aiming to embody the historical complexity of this monument. A unique symbol of peaceful coexistence of confessions, Hagia Sophia is one of only places of worship generous enough to host two religions and their iconography, Orthodox Christianity and Islam.

Galata Bridge, spanning the Golden Horn like its ancestor built by Justinian the Great in the 6th Century, is also transformed into an architectural dress, reminiscent of the unrealised designs of Leonardo da Vinci’s Golden Horn Bridge.

Memories of Istanbul are not only visual: Tastes and scents are also important triggers. Scents and symbolic meanings of flowers, often depicted in Ottoman imagery, have been influential for this collection.

The tulip symbolizes abundance, indulgence and Istanbul’s historic position as a hub; while the magnolia, the forerunner of spring, refers to Istanbul’s feminine charm and fragility.

The omnipresence of birds also evokes thoughts of the maritime character of Istanbul, connecting distant seas. Doves, symbolising peace and messengers, lent their wings to a pure white coat in the collection.