Self-Made or Never Made: Bora Akkaş

In this life, you either exist or become. We discuss the role of our professional decisions in shaping our personalities in the Self-Made or Never Made series with Bora Akkaş.

“Being yourself means, being yourself. What we talk about here is in fact the state where you are unlike anybody else. Above all, an issue of originality. You definitely have traits that are similar to others, but we are talking about a state in which you did not choose these characteristics.” Bora Akkaş believes that originality requires self-confidence. He adds: “We can shy away from doing certain things because of other people’s opinions. In my opinion, being like everyone else is the most terrifying thing in life. If you are stuck among people who claim that black and navy blue do not look good together and you believe otherwise, you should be able to live in an environment where you are comfortable defending this. Self-love and self- confidence play very important roles in achieving this.

Bora Akkaş prefers to make use of this self-confidence with caution. He is quite mindful of his environment but he is also careful about measuring his impact on this environment every time. “I refrain from intervening in other people’s lives unless it is someone I am very close to.” However, he doesn’t avoid making small touches in the lives of those around him, so that they can get closer to themselves. “Sometimes recommending a theater play, movie or book can be a good way to remind people of themselves.”

“Being yourself means being yourself. What we talk about here is in facts the state where you are unlike anybody else. Above all, an issue of originality. You definitely have traits that are similar to others, but we are talking about a state in which you did not choose these characteristics.”

-Bora Akkaş

According to Bora Akkaş, there is no fixed definition of being yourself. “What you call being yourself must constantly change. It’s an experience. Just like everything else, this changes as well.” Within this fluctuant definition, he is constantly making new deductions about himself both in his personal life and in his professional practice, and the issue of being himself is in constant flux: “While we were rehearsing the director said that I laugh when I get nervous. I sat down and contemplated for a while on why I laugh when I get nervous. A person knows and understands himself most of all by establishing relationships.”

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.