Wearable Modern Art
Written by: Stella Polyzoidou
Gloriosa by Fanm Mon
Full of creativity, Sophia Demirtas has turned her passion for fashion into a luxury clothing brand.
One of the best parts of starting a new hobby is the ability to turn something you love into a profitable business. That is the case for Fanm Mon—a Turkish fashion label that launched in 2013. Behind this vision is the Haiti-born, Turkey-based designer Sophia Demirtas who, along with her husband, has created a brand of bold and colorful ready-to-wear.
Demirtas worked at a homeless shelter in New York City before moving to Turkey and pursuing her dream in the fashion industry. What makes this brand unique is the different backgrounds combined into modern silhouettes. Fanm Mon embraces the craftsmanship of masterful artisans from Ukraine and Turkey and the rich cultural heritage of Haiti.
Known for a mix of delightful colors, bold patterns, and handmade embroideries weaved into beautiful garments, Fanm Mon offers modern alternatives to traditional styles. Each piece has been carefully hand-embroidered by skilled craftsmen at the brand’s headquarters in the US, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Οriginally, Demirtas got involved with jewelry making, but within two years, she transitioned to womenswear, realizing that brought her greater joy. The pivot was born from a need to showcase her jewelry with eccentric garments. “It really started out of personal necessity to make designs that were reminiscent of my childhood. Having been born and raised in Haiti, I got into these interactions with color, pattern, and texture,” Demirtas says on a Zoom call.
Sophia Demirtas, founder of Fanm Mon
Sophia Demirtas, founder of Fanm Mon
Sina by Fanm Mon
The brand offers intricate handmade pieces inspired by the cultures of Haiti and Africa. Through each collection, the designer pays homage to her Haitian heritage, roots, and community. The home feeling inspires her most, accompanied by a love for nature and admiration for women. “Nature is my main source of inspiration and my childhood memories. I grew up surrounded by many women who embrace their femininity with floral prints, bold, vibrant colors,” she explains.
Growing up in Haiti, Demirtas could see firsthand what her grandmothers, aunts, and neighbors wore, which was a strong point of reference later in her life. This feminine energy is now mirrored in the brand’s creations.
The choice of the name Fanm Mon couldn’t be random. Fanm Mon is a Haitian phrase that means “peasant woman,” a nurturer intertwined with nature. The term is used to describe all these women rooted in their village’s upbringing. Demirtas has given a new interpretation to this colloquial expression. “Fanm Mon signifies the woman that nurtures and understands nature and is one of the most powerful beings on earth. For my brand, I wanted to highlight the feminine aspect of our culture, the significance of the Mon people, especially the women,” she highlights.
After leaving Haiti at a very young age, Demirtas kept in mind the value of these women, and as she grew up understood that their spirit was universal.
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