İdil Naz Kaluç: a fun and candid interview about fashion with Turkey’s most stylish woman
I’d like to start with this question: how did your passion for fashion begin?
Well, it’s not really a passion I can say had a precise beginning. But ever since I was little, I genuinely always loved getting dressed and studying people who dress well. There’s something about me: I absolutely adore women who dress well, and I have never felt any jealousy along the lines of “how does she wear that, how could I not think of it?”
I don’t copy what I see one-to-one; instead, I try to adjust things to myself by thinking about how I could express myself better. I can’t say there was a starting point; I think it’s something that comes from within. So you created İdil Naz by studying women who dress well? Yes, I don’t copy and paste one-to-one, but I adapt what I see on them to my own style.
Image: Colourful evening dresses on racks and a mannequin dressed in a wedding gown (representative image) — Gennady Grachev from Moscow, Russia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
So where do you prefer to shop, and what do you pay most attention to when getting dressed?
You have touched on a really good point, because dressing well or being chic isn’t about wearing expensive clothes. For example, all the small boutiques and sellers in Taksim know me.
I can buy really beautiful pieces very cheaply, so I don’t feel the need to buy every piece at a high price. In many of the boutiques in Taksim I can find unusual things designed in-store. But of course there are things I pay attention to when shopping there.
Shopping habits and attitude to brands
For example, the most important thing I pay attention to when dressing is that it’s not something everyone has.
It’s a cliché, but you know there’s such a thing as a “cool clash” — turning up in the same outfit as someone else. Clashing in expensive pieces doesn’t stand out much, but clashing in things you bought at the market can be a bit glaring. So rather than must-have pieces, I choose pieces and clothes that let me show what makes me different.
For example, even if a piece I want to buy or like is flawed, I buy it, rework it to suit my style and wear it. I have never been someone obsessed with brands. When it suits, I even dress from the market. But of course, when it’s called for, I also spend more money on important pieces. Everyone knows about my passion for sunglasses, for example. There are times when I spend more on sunglasses, shoes or bags. I never use fakes of these. If I can’t afford it, I’ll use something unbranded, but never a fake. I’d advise everyone to do the same. No one is obliged to dress in brands.
From this answer we can see that the Turkish public really made a very good decision in voting you number one.
Actually, I think they found something of themselves in me. Because, contrary to appearances, I’m not a very flashy girl. I don’t hang out in very expensive places or dress from very expensive places as they might assume. People who have a very “we’re different” outlook voted me first because they related to the pieces I chose and to my style.
Fans and reactions after the competition
So how do people react when they see you in the street? Or let me put it this way: are your fans only women, or do you also have a large male fan base?
I’d say it’s fifty-fifty. Alongside a large female audience, I also have a large male fan base.
Do you get lots of messages from male fans, along the lines of “what a great style you have, how well you dress”?
Of course I do, but the messages I get from women make me happier, because, when you think about it, it’s quite hard for one woman to admire another.
What kind of reactions do you get in the street?
I’d say 90 per cent of the reactions I get are really lovely. As you know, I have been through two competitions: one a style competition and the other a competition with very different content. The first was a competition where style and beauty were at the forefront.
In the other competition, they saw the real İdil — the sincere, natural İdil. The combination of these two competitions gave me something really special. As for the 10 per cent, there are people who don’t like me, of course there are. In fact, I can share a memory about that.
While I was in the style competition, on one of the days I was shopping on Bağdat Avenue, an older lady walking on the other side of the street threw her bag at me 🙂 She said, “You attack everyone.” I said, “Auntie, it’s a very different atmosphere,” and I cried right there. Afterwards I was really down and very upset.
Actually, I’m someone who gets on very well with everyone. But it’s a competition, and since you’re in a rivalry, you don’t have to get on with everyone. As I said, competitions are programmes with a very different atmosphere. Alongside those who love me, there are those who don’t. But as you know, it’s the tree that bears fruit that gets stoned.
Fan messages and an emotional approach
Do you like the fact that men make up 50% of your fan base?
Not exactly, no. Of course, alongside the lovely messages, I also get some very disturbing ones.
I can fall in love very quickly and become attached in a really beautiful way. I have never cheated on a man to this day. Because I’m that kind of woman, the messages from men don’t really interest me — other than flattering me, of course.
Style advice for those around her and her view of fashion
So, İdil Naz, do people close to you ask for your help when shopping? Do they ask you whether they can pair a piece they have bought with something?
I don’t come across that situation very often. For example, my best friend would never call me when shopping for herself, because I think shopping is connected to the spirit or the personality. What each person wears reflects their spirit or personality.
Since everyone’s perspective is different, this will be reflected differently in their clothes. That’s why I don’t think it’s really right to get help with clothes. But of course I help people who call to ask me about something.
For example, my mother and my cousins call and ask me to tell them something, and I offer my opinions. But they don’t necessarily have to act on my ideas.
Because I don’t think it’s right to dress according to other people’s opinions — “your style is romantic, so you should dress romantically”. For example, I wear the dress I have on right now, the skirt, with both trainers and heels. Of course you can pick up little tips, but I don’t think it’s right to dress according to what someone else says.
Fashion in Turkey and the definition of chic
So how do you find the approach to fashion in our country compared with abroad?
Of course I find it further behind, but the approach to fashion in our country has moved forward a bit compared with the past. At least we’re trying to take some inspiration from the approach to fashion abroad.
Some of our most important models have started taking part in shows abroad. For example, a few weeks ago I happened to see Ebru Şallı wearing a beautiful dress on the red carpet, and I loved that dress.
There is progress, but if you ask whether we can catch up, for now I see that as impossible.
According to İdil Naz KALUÇ, one of Turkey’s most stylish women, what is the definition of chic?
In a word, I’d say difference, because difference is important to me. Women who are different attract my interest; not every woman is one on whom that outfit can look chic.
What does dressing for your body proportions mean to you? Or how should it be done?
Dressing for your body proportions is of course very important. You need to know yourself and your body. Say, for example, a woman with wide hips wants to wear shorts. That woman’s legs may be heavy, but her bust may be lovely. Then covering her legs and showing a neckline would make her look more chic. For example, I think my bust is nice and I don’t shy away from showing a neckline.
What does İdil Naz, Turkey’s most stylish woman, see in the autumn trends?
One of the things I find most ridiculous is this whole summer or winter trend business. I wear whatever I feel like that day. I don’t claim to be a fashion designer or to be involved in fashion. I simply trust my own style and dress accordingly.
Free time and never compromising on style
What else is there in the life of İdil Naz, Turkey’s most stylish woman, apart from fashion? What does she like to do in her free time?
I play tennis; in fact I’m studying at an academy. But even when playing tennis I show what makes me different. I make sure even the socks or the skirt I wear are different. I love being stylish even there.
Apart from that, I have my workplace, and I take care of it. I have a business partner and my friend Elçin. I could come here in a tracksuit every day, but that’s not me. Even coming here, I prefer to be stylish. Because I’m someone in the public eye, I think I have to pay attention to my style even when coming to work. Outside work, I spend all my time with my closest friends. The time I spend with them gives me great pleasure.
I’d like to ask this: say you have put on an outfit during the day — are there pieces you’d say you could never stand wearing?
Definitely — coats. I can’t stand coats at all; they feel really restrictive. I was born in summer anyway, so I’m a summer girl. More generally, it’s women who aren’t very slim wearing waist belts.
Competition memories and friendships
Are there moments from the competition programmes you took part in that you’d say you’ll never forget? Would you like to share them with us?
Definitely. I’ll never forget it. It’s in my mind as if I’m still living it. I’d had a fight with a friend on the programme. That day’s guest was Bülent Ersoy, and she took both of us aside. She said things to me like, “You have been raised very well, you have a beautiful heart, you don’t need anything else.” I can never forget that day.
Just imagine: a diva who’s been on screens for years, whom you have watched with admiration, says things like that to you. What she said still echoes in my ears. I was so proud of myself, my shoulders swelled. After that day I didn’t really need much else.
Is your dialogue with Bülent Ersoy still going? We don’t talk all the time, but whenever I come across her somewhere or run into her, I always go and kiss her hand and hug her. I truly have enormous respect for her. I’m in touch with Sibel Arna. I have huge, huge respect for her; I see my future self in her. I feel as if I were her child. She loves me very much too.
Do you still keep in touch with any friends from the competition programme?
No, I’m definitely not in touch with any of them.
Is there a particular reason?
I don’t think they added anything to me. Maybe I can’t add anything to them either.
They’re all very good people, but this is what I pay attention to in my life. I have one very close friend. If a second person is going to come between us, they need to add something to us. I don’t like empty or foolish people, and I don’t keep them around me.
Private life and a busy work schedule
Is there someone in the life of İdil Naz, Turkey’s most stylish woman?
No. There’s no one in my life right now. The reason I’m not in a relationship at the moment is that I work very hard. With this intense work schedule, I can’t find a man who can handle this life.
I DJ at a club and I’m very busy. For now I don’t think there’s a man who could handle that. Maybe that’s why I’m not in a relationship. When I look back, I have always been a woman who gives a sense of security anyway. And lately I have just come out of a very intense, full-on love affair. To be honest, yes, I haven’t completely closed some things in my mind, because I experienced some very beautiful things. We were in the same house for 100 days.
Normally, in a relationship, that would add up to five years. My family wouldn’t let me live in the same house as a boyfriend outside. So the relationship I had in the house was very different from one I would have had outside. We were together every day and shared so much. That’s why it will definitely take some time to forget. Every day we spent together; it was like my job. I can never overlook the beautiful things we lived through; I gathered lovely memories. But believe me, right now I have no time to have a relationship, neither with my head nor with my heart. My priorities right now are very different.
Design, shopping and future plans
Do you have designs of your own?
Yes, I have. But those designs are just for myself; that doesn’t make me a fashion designer.
Are you someone who shops all the time?
No, I don’t shop all the time, because I don’t have the time for it. But when I do shop, I go all out. For example, when I go shopping I end up with 10 bags in my hands. People might think there are pieces worth 30 billion lira in there, but I’m spending one billion. As I said, I don’t spend a lot of money. I go out and buy according to what I need. You couldn’t say I spend money pointlessly.
Career plans and acting
Do you have any fashion-related plans in your career? What projects will we see you in in the future?
Right now you couldn’t say I’m fully immersed in fashion. All I do at the moment is show off ready-made or preferred pieces in outfits that suit me. I don’t think I’m fully inside fashion. What I do is really about creating my own style.
Of course I’ll be in fashion-related projects, but I never think I’ll become a fashion designer who directs people. Of course, you shouldn’t speak too soon. If in future there’s a project that really catches my attention and appeals to me… If there’s a chance to work on that project with people who can shape me and truly show me the right way at the end of the road, I’d like to take a step towards something like that.
You have been through two programmes. Do you get offers for acting, such as film or TV series?
Of course I get lots of offers, but I don’t want to consider them right now. Rather than dipping my finger in every pie, it makes more sense to me to take solid steps in the work I start and leave a lasting impression. And I don’t have any acting training at the moment. With so many good actors in the industry, I shouldn’t throw myself onto screens.
People might ask, “who are you?” I might not be able to give an answer to those questions. I’m thinking of getting training this year. In the coming years, after getting my training, there will be programmes I take part in. Because I always believe in taking solid steps. I don’t want people to watch me and comment, “what is she doing on screen?”
In the end, with so many people who love me this much, I wouldn’t want to go into a project that isn’t completely solid and alienate them. Besides the little children who love me, there are older ladies too. For example, they come here every day; we eat together and chat. And I don’t treat people who come to my workplace like customers. I can sit and chat for hours even with people who come here for treatments.
Names she admires and keeping in touch with fans
So, İdil Naz, are there names on TV screens or on runways whose style or outfits you like?
I like Didem Soydan’s style enormously. Also Umut Eker and Sibel ARNA. Beyond holding a special place for me, these three are people whose style I genuinely feel close to and admire. When I was competing on the programme, I studied them in great detail and tried never to miss the outfits they put together.
You have a lovely fan base — where can your fans reach you?
I look at all my Instagram messages — that is, I try to reply. My workplace addresses are also known. During the day I’m at the beauty centre and at night at the club, so people who say “we can’t reach you” don’t seem very sincere to me. I really do try to reply to my messages, because many of the people trying to reach me there might really need me. I don’t ignore them.
I don’t use Facebook. I have Twitter, but I don’t use it very actively. I only use Instagram. My email address is also on my Instagram account, so they can email me.
Merve İlhan: The İdil Naz I knew from the screen and the İdil Naz I have actually met are the same: a genuine person, inside and out, and very sincere. I really congratulate you. I’m very, very happy to have met you. Thank you so much for making time for us and for letting us do this interview with you.
İdil Naz Kaluç: Likewise, I’m very pleased to have met the Fresh Models Magazin team. Thank you for wanting to do this interview with me.
Key takeaways from the İdil Naz Kaluç interview
The most striking thing about the interview is the idea that chic is not about wearing expensive clothes. İdil Naz Kaluç explains that she interprets pieces bought from small boutiques and even markets in her own style. Rather than pieces everyone has, she chooses clothes that set her apart. She stresses that she allocates more of her budget to pieces she will use for a long time, such as sunglasses, shoes and bags, and that she never uses fakes.
- Rather than copying a look you like one-to-one, adapt it to your own style.
- Focus your budget on long-lasting accessories rather than basic pieces.
- What matters is not the brand but the piece that suits you and expresses who you are.
For our other conversations with models and style enthusiasts, you can see our interview with Dilara Kırmıt about modelling. And for the history and cultural dimensions of fashion as a concept, the fashion entry on Wikipedia is a good place to start.