Chickens, Fashion, and Historical Inspirations

Erdem Moralıoğlu is one of the UK’s most admired and creative fashion designers. Born in Canada to a Turkish father and British mother, he studied fashion at the Royal College of Art and went on to found his eponymous label in 2005. He has dressed the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman. His Spring Summer 2024 collection was inspired by the the late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, also known as Debo, one of the famous Mitford sisters - the ‘It’ girls of the 1930s and '40s. Working closely with Susie Stokoe, head of textiles at Chatsworth House, Erdem has drawn on his own designs and many of the Duchess’ clothes and created an exhibition called Imaginary Conversations. Belinda Naylor meets Erdem at his studio in east London to discuss his inspirations and visits Chatsworth House to observe the installation of the exhibition.