TITLE Destiny Issue #8 available in shop
In a collaboration based around fashion, heritage, and true identity, Cult Form and TITLE teamed up for the magazine’s 8th print issue, Destiny. The theme of this edition roots in journeys; how they take you through the past, into the present, and toward the future. The Destiny of what makes you truly unique.
Founder Merve Abedan sees destiny at the core of Cult Form, drawing on heritage craftsmanship and familiar connections to fashion in her creative process. “For me, the concept of heritage has become the core factor of my entire design process. At Cult Form, our primary focus is continuing the traditions that stem from our heritage. This is why I chose to center the brand around the craft of Yorgan. With Cult Form, I aim to highlight the sustainability of Turkish traditional handicrafts. Yorgan is a Turkish craft with roots dating back to the 1800s. It is a handmade technique where detailed motifs are stitched onto satin fabrics filled with cotton, using a special yorgan needle.”
Highlighting identity through craft is not only a key factor of Cult Forms’ staple pieces, but is woven into the fabric of the brand. “Through Cult Form, I aim to revive this culturally significant craft—one that has remained frozen in a specific historical period—by drawing inspiration from it and embracing its value within contemporary collections.”
In a boundless magazine format inspired by newspaper formats, Cult Form crafted belts that double as chokers to transform the loose print pages into a fashionable clutch. Using the brand’s traditional yorgan crafting technique, the belts are comfortable, colourful, and multifunctional. The accessory is available in 2 reds: burgundy and scarlet.
“The red quilted belts we designed feature the unique texture that defines our brand: hand-stitched quilting crafted by our artisans. For this project, we complemented the magazine’s aesthetic by incorporating abstract stitch details that harmonise with its visual tone.”
Cult Form founder Merve Abedan and EIC of TITLE Neslihan Degerli formed a partnership for this magazine that truly represents the core of what the Destiny issue is all about. “This collaboration emerged from the idea of bringing together the creative processes of my close friend Nessie—who comes from the same culture as I do—and myself. Through this project, we wanted to introduce a traditional touch to her magazine TITLE, in which she explores a wide range of creative topics.”
Matching with the magazine clutch, Cult Form and TITLE came together for a fashion editorial to highlight the classic feel of the collaboration. “For the ’70s-inspired cover series, we created a piece that resembles a newspaper one could carry as a clutch, combined with a hand-crafted quilted (yorgan) element made by our artisans.” With croquet handcrafted tops, skirts, and Cult Form’s staple leggings, the Destiny issue comes to life in a playful yet fashion-forward series, reminiscent of vintage magazine cover shoots.
Both Cult Form and TITLE heavily value the sense of community, culture, and identity. Destiny gave space to artists, creatives, and visionaries to find what truly determines their path and journey to authenticity through their passionate works. Cult Form lifted this concept through their brand’s belief in working with old techniques to find new meaning. Rooted in traditional Türkish craftsmanship, these creations take us from the past into the present. “My main purpose with Cult Form is to merge cutting-edge forms with traditional handmade arts—bringing together techniques shaped by master craftsmen with Western culture, and creating final pieces that retain their originality while staying true to their creative vision. Our collaborations with brands that value craftsmanship and aim to revive antique artisanal techniques are ongoing and will continue.”
As the world feels more chaotic and big corporations care little about history, sustainability, the health of their workers and humanity as a whole, brands like Cult Form show us that these values don’t have to disappear in the market. “Ultimately, I would like to establish an NGO: a cooperative that ensures equality in working standards and provides a mutually beneficial platform where both artisans and the brand thrive together.”
We asked Merve what the future holds for Cult Form and what we can expect from the brand moving forward: “In the near future, one of my biggest dreams is to explore various crafts around the world: to travel to where they were born, understand their essence, and reinterpret them in my collections. India, for instance, is home to many traditional crafts and is my next destination after Turkey.”
“My mission is to bring forgotten crafts—those left dusty on the shelves—back to the surface and remind people of their value. By doing so, I hope to help revive these crafts while creating job opportunities.”
Fashion Credits: Full Looks from Cult Form
Team Credits:
Photographer: Pascal Behring
Creative Direction & Styling: Neslihan Degerli
Hair & Make Up: Jasmin Oliveira
Managing Editor: Jasmin Kraenzel
Production: TITLE / avec nous
Production Assistant: Abnora Syla
