unframed

Reflect w/ Neslihan Atagül Doğulu

UnframedSeptember 23, 2020

Stop everything for a moment and just hold a mirror to your soul, let it reflect! Embrace all the emotions that make you who you are… Every time we get together with Neslihan, we push the boundaries of consciousness a little more… What we know on one side, and what we can see beyond it on the other. “The boundaries we set on ourselves keep us away from happiness,” says Neslihan. Not following her path is impossible! Now it’s time to acknowledge or even transcend our boundaries, and be inspired! We are taking on a journey within the collective consciousness and civilization, beyond what we have been taught, what society has given us, and beyond our own boundaries. Out of bounds, we hold a mirror to our soul, join us!

Jacket & Knitwear & Bootie: Balenciaga / Zorlu Boutique, Tayt & Kemer: Belongs to Fashion Editor, Shirt: The Jacquelyns, Socks: Calzedonia, Earrings & Rings: Terzihan

What are you currently feeling about acting?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: The reason acting appealed to me was because it kept me away from myself. Now I’m getting closer to myself through acting. When I’m closer to myself, I understand people better. It is exciting and encouraging for a person to know themselves, to also know the “human” by doing so.

“I feel like dreaming is a state of wanting what is accepted as improbable.”

Do you like to dream?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: I thought I was dreaming when I was a kid. I was actually predicting what was going to happen. Because of that, I no longer dream. I know that if there’s something I want deep down in my heart, as long as I work for it and keep that wish inside my heart, it will happen just at the right time. I feel like dreaming is a state of wanting what is accepted as ‘improbable’.

T-Shirt: Cult of Cuddle, Corset Belt: Alexandre McQueen, Sweatshirt: GCDS, Sneaker: Balenciage/Beymen, Trousers: Christopher Esber/ V2K, Earrings: Terzihan

Let’s talk about the project “Hadsiz”, what motivated you to make it happen? With what motivation does it continue to happen?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: At certain times in my life, I felt unable to fit into my body, the city I live in, the world I am in, or even the universe. I tried to figure out what that feeling was and why. Then I thought about what it would be like if there were no boundaries between our hearts, between us humans, between countries, if there were no limits to sharing knowledge. Especially when the people of the world collectively do the same things in their homes. I thought that I should act on it. Soon after, “Hadsiz” happened. ‘Had’ means limit, ‘hadsiz’ means unlimited. Although generally, people use it to refer to ignorance, meddling in the affairs of others, we strive to transform this concept. The concept we’re trying to give a new meaning is definitely not mindlessly invading people’s space. As a society, we are not happy with our situation because of the boundaries we have set. We have to see, know, and transcend our boundaries. We are having a conversation with people who go beyond presuppositions, who strive for it. We are having a conversation with whom we deem unlimited. To be an inspiration. To be unlimited.

Corset: Salih Balta, Trousers: No Ka’ oı/ V2K Designers, Shoes: Balenciaga/Zorlu Boutique, Earrings and Earrings as Hair Clips: Terzihan

“I think we should exclude individuality and look at things from a wider perspective.”

As an independent woman who stands on her own feet, how do you interpret what we’re going through in 2020?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: Humans are still evolving. The world is evolving too. So I’m not surprised by all this. I saw that we are in a state of great collective consciousness. I think we should exclude individuality and look at things from a wider perspective. We have to go out of our way and know our rights and tightly embrace them. We must forget what we have been taught and remember what we know! Sometimes the pressures expand us. It is certain that all the issues that seem unpleasant to us make us more conscious and more ready. It’s not the first time we’ve experienced them as human beings. We’ve either forgotten them or they haven’t been passed on to us properly. If we can ideally pass the information on to generations after us, they will be much more conscious and less affected.

On the right: Bomber: Les Benjamins, Body: Waldorf, Tights & Skirt: Alexander Wang/Beymen, Socks: Calzedonia

What bothers you about the positioning of women today? Do you see this as a local problem?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: I’m not uncomfortable with my position in society. Not with the position of women either. What discomfort can I feel about the positioning of women? Being a woman shouldn’t be seen as a problem or a burden. I think the problem is the “perception” of women. The position of a woman in male perception needs to be changed as soon as possible. Part of the community involved in this is very sensitive and they do what needs to be done. Changing the position in perception is only possible with rehabilitation, it is necessary to improve people. At the same time, if we can educate today’s children, who are the future, as necessary, that will be the most civilized action. I believe that it is necessary to deal with children and young people to create a fundamental solution.

Jacket: Saint Laurent/Zorlu Boutique, Bra & Trousers: Tayfun Kaba, Sneaker: Balenciaga/Beymen, Earrings & Rings : Terzihan

How would you define passion?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: Non-volitional enthusiasm.

Jacket & Knitwear & Bootie: Balenciaga / Zorlu Boutique, Tayt & Kemer: Belongs to Fashion Editor, Shirt: The Jacquelyns, Socks: Calzedonia, Earrings & Rings: Terzihan

What is more important, life’s offerings, or your wishes?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: Both. Life offers me what I want. I want what life has to offer.

“Isn’t living a “power” in itself? Does being strong means making what we want to do happen? I think it’s the effort to transform the existing conditions and adapt.”

T-Shirt: Cult of Cuddle, Corset Belt: Alexandre McQueen, Sweatshirt: GCDS, Sneaker: Balenciage/Beymen, Trousers: Christopher Esber/ V2K, Earrings: Terzihan

How would you describe being strong? Do you consider yourself strong? What emotions do you abandon to stay strong and which ones do you adopt?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: What does power mean? Why do you need power? A senior executive working in a plaza is strong but a farmer in some village is weak? Or vice versa? Isn’t living a “power” in itself? Does being strong mean making what we want to do happen? I think it’s an effort to transform the existing conditions and adapt. And the simultaneous judgment of your understanding and heart as you adapt. Everyone’s power has different potentials. So everyone is already strong. We have to have a goal and we have to strive for it. We have to put aside the doubt and move on with courage.

Anything is possible, and you’re making a wish, what would that be?

Neslihan Atagül Doğulu: Civilization.