Based Istanbul TV: I PERFETCLY KNEW I WAS… Afra Saraçoğlu

_{Afra wears looks by Gucci Cruise 2025 collection.}

The way you love yourself teaches others how to love you.

It’s not some grand, glamorous getaway; it’s the place that feels like home.

But don’t worry, you’re no longer that little child hiding behind fears.

Now, everything is on track.

Growth, transformation, self-preservation…
Sometimes getting lost in the crowd, often feeling like being misused but overcoming it everytime.
Being neglected, being over-cherished, but most of all, reclaiming hope. Like you’ve never lost it. 
Finding a new reason to get through each day is survival. 
That’s what life is.  
Your heart beats faster, an idea pops in your mind, and the sun rises once again. 
And you make another promise to the child that never grows. 
To become a better version of yourself, to make peace, to rewrite the rules of the game, to put another check in your diary...
Everything…

Sleeping without fear.

Dreaming dreams, not nightmares. Not running away from the dark.
Making peace with the person you see in the mirror; giving yourself new promises and fighting with everything you’ve got to keep them—what else is it all for?
Dreams exist to come true; to rediscover yourself every single day.

Now, face yourself once more and take one more step toward a better version of you!

A better you is always possible.
 Your victories are only as big as the truths you dare to admit to yourself.

From Based Istanbul N°44 – Confessions Issue. “World is basically a “dynamic” mess of jiggling things. You need to confess your messy parts first.” Buy your copy now!

Cover Guest Afra Saraçoğlu

Creative Direction and Words by Duygu Bengi

Fashiıon Direction by Burak Sanuk

Directed by Merve Fatma

DOP Celal Burak Özgü

Fashiıon Editor Birce Naz Koş Murat Şentürk

Hair by Mustafa Akgül

Make Up by Aslı Bilge

Creative Production by BI Creative

Creative Team Aslı Kılbüker, Belgin Demirhan, Melike Duman, Tunga Yankı Tan, Umutcan Öncü⁠

3D Scanning and Animation by Çağatay Erbaş⁠

DOP Assistant Enes Akdağ

Color Utkan Topuzlu

Sound Designer Emirhan Ceylan

Gaffer Ömer Rauf Aksoy

Creative Production by BI Creative

Creative Team Belgin Demirhan, Birce Naz Köş, Şevval Küçüktır, Umutcan Öncü⁠

Gaffer Ömer Rauf Aksoy

Best Boy Taner Altundaş

Hair Team Enes Sakızcı, Yiğithan Yılmaz

Make Up Assistant Melisa Arslanboğa

Gaffer Assistants Berk Bayramlı, Doğan Güneş

Agent Beyza Eraydın PH7entertainment

Communications İpek Türer

Special Thanks to Ekin Bernay, Elif Petek Kızmaz