Ever since the 2005 media jamboree that followed the globally televised trial of Saddam Hussein, in which the fallen Iraqi despot donned a succession of Recep Cesur’s creations, Cesur has been profiled in many of the world’s most famous publications with the ominous branding of the “Tailor of the Dictators”.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EKİN ÖZBİÇER TEXT BY BORAN GÜNEY
After being paraded in the international media as some sort of novelty from the Middle East, the Kurdish tailor from Diyarbakır, whose surname means “brave” in Turkish, had his apparent 15 minutes and sunk back into obscurity. While some of the articles dealt with his unassuming, humble image as a hapless merchant from the East, unaware of his newfound fame, others focused on the easy, newsworthy contradiction that he was a Kurd serving Saddam, a sworn enemy of the Kurds in the region.
What they failed, with orientalist fervour, to take notice of, was how his sharp and colourful creations were taking over a world under the radar of the western gaze: smart and bold suits, in full technicolor, fit for Kosovan rebel leaders, Afghan presidents and even the late Nelson Mandela; all designed by Recep Cesur, in his little boutique in Laleli, Istanbul’s textile district.
Ever since the 2005 media jamboree that followed the globally televised trial of Saddam Hussein, in which the fallen Iraqi despot donned a succession of Recep Cesur’s creations, Cesur has been profiled in many of the world’s most famous publications with the ominous branding of the “Tailor of the Dictators”.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EKİN ÖZBİÇER TEXT BY BORAN GÜNEY
After being paraded in the international media as some sort of novelty from the Middle East, the Kurdish tailor from Diyarbakır, whose surname means “brave” in Turkish, had his apparent 15 minutes and sunk back into obscurity. While some of the articles dealt with his unassuming, humble image as a hapless merchant from the East, unaware of his newfound fame, others focused on the easy, newsworthy contradiction that he was a Kurd serving Saddam, a sworn enemy of the Kurds in the region.
What they failed, with orientalist fervour, to take notice of, was how his sharp and colourful creations were taking over a world under the radar of the western gaze: smart and bold suits, in full technicolor, fit for Kosovan rebel leaders, Afghan presidents and even the late Nelson Mandela; all designed by Recep Cesur, in his little boutique in Laleli, Istanbul’s textile district.
Ever since the 2005 media jamboree that followed the globally televised trial of Saddam Hussein, in which the fallen Iraqi despot donned a succession of Recep Cesur’s creations, Cesur has been profiled in many of the world’s most famous publications with the ominous branding of the “Tailor of the Dictators”.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EKİN ÖZBİÇER TEXT BY BORAN GÜNEY
After being paraded in the international media as some sort of novelty from the Middle East, the Kurdish tailor from Diyarbakır, whose surname means “brave” in Turkish, had his apparent 15 minutes and sunk back into obscurity. While some of the articles dealt with his unassuming, humble image as a hapless merchant from the East, unaware of his newfound fame, others focused on the easy, newsworthy contradiction that he was a Kurd serving Saddam, a sworn enemy of the Kurds in the region.
What they failed, with orientalist fervour, to take notice of, was how his sharp and colourful creations were taking over a world under the radar of the western gaze: smart and bold suits, in full technicolor, fit for Kosovan rebel leaders, Afghan presidents and even the late Nelson Mandela; all designed by Recep Cesur, in his little boutique in Laleli, Istanbul’s textile district.
POSITOPIA
17
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Mim Kemal Öke Cad. No.6 D.6 Nişantaşı, Şişli, İstanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com
POSITOPIA
17
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Mim Kemal Öke Cad. No.6 D.6 Nişantaşı, Şişli, İstanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com
POSITOPIA
17
OUT NOW
is a large format international biannual magazine from Istanbul. Focusing on arts, culture and society, each issue tackles various universal subjects within a distinct theme.
Address
Mim Kemal Öke Cad. No.6 D.6 Nişantaşı, Şişli, İstanbul, Turkey
+90 212 232 4288
contact@212magazine.com