In this life, you either exist or become. We are discussing the stages a person goes through in the process of becoming themselves with Ali Elmacı in the Self-Made or Never Made series.

“I was born like that. This was a necessity for me and that desire never faded. It was painting for me, for example. This may not necessarily come naturally to everyone, but it can be realized through experience.” Ali Elmacı got together with the platform that made him who he is at a very young age, and he thinks that this platform helped him find himself. He both found himself in his profession and his profession made him who he is. He adds: “Profession and practice play a role in finding oneself. People find themselves only by setting off to a journey within. The skills and experience are the tools that help people find themselves in this inner journey.”

“I’m trying to push myself into existence, I don’t exist yet, this is a path. IfI can leave a meaningful sentence behind after living my life, that’s happiness to me.”
-Ali Elmacı

Although he believes in the existence of other factors within the process where we find and create ourselves, Ali Elmacı argues that we should take a stance against them. “Environmental factors, cultural perception, our families; all play a role in making us who we are, however, people should be brave enough to stand against these factors for what they believe in. We must protect our values no matter what. And sometimes it requires you to risk being on your own. The consequences of the action may isolate you at times, and one must be able to face this. Being oneself may be a painful process, but every effort spent on this path is always useful.”

Ali wears a t-shirt by **MT1012**. His cap and glasses belong to Ali’s collection.

According to Ali Elmacı, this journey will never end and he believes that one should always remain aware of this path. “I am trying to push myself into existence, I don’t exist yet, this is a path, and if I can leave a meaningful sentence behind after living my life, that’s happiness to me. I’m working really hard to exist. This existence comes into being with me being my own person and my view of the world, I can say that “This is how I am.”, and I don’t do anything stranger to myself in life.”

Creative Direction by Duygu Bengi
Hosted by Can Remzi Ergen
Photographed by Ege İşlek
Styled by Murat Kıvık

Hair by Mertcan Pekgüzek
Make Up by Alper Kabadayı

Creative Team Ceydanur Demir, Şevval Küçüktür, Umutcan Öncü, Doğukan Özpıçak

Creative Production Miray Kaya

A big thanks to you Gözde Tekay, Serkan Aykut Kargacı and Zorlu PSM Team

From Based Istanbul N°42 – me, myself & I Issue. “Talk to yourself like someone you love.⁠ Perhaps then, the balance might change. This time ask yourself: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” Buy your copy now!

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