Interview: Cengiz Orhan, founder of Strictly Designers United

By Marianna Cerini, January 22, 2014

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What is Strictly Designers United?

A platform for all kinds of artist, designers, creative and non creative people to come together and get inspired, or simply unwind for a while. Douchebags, hipsters and untalented artists are also welcome. We host events such as local English-language drama and theatrical performances, but also fine dining with a twist or Sunday tea. We are also a shop: we design, manufacture and produce furniture for clubs, bars, restaurants and residential apartments and we export some of our works to other countries.

Where do you like to hang out?

Strictly Designers United, Yongkang Lu and a ‘secret’ high-rise rooftop I discovered a while back. You can find me there on any sunny day, lounging. Well, actually you couldn’t. You don’t know where it is.

Your style in three words.

Uuhhhh, fuck style. 

Fashion is...

Groovy, wicked, sexy and sometimes dead.

Worst fashion faux pas for a man?

Crocs, with or without socks.

What inspires you as a designer?

My son Cem, the weather, flowers, food, people with good energy, sex, animals, the past and the future. My friends and my girlfriend - they are my biggest support.

Take us through a typical day for you.

Every day is different. I tend to wake up pretty early and head straight to the Strictly Designers showroom. I can’t sit at my desk for very long, so I usually start working on a new product or get into organizing the week's schedule. I have my own carpentry, paint and stitching studio at Strictly, so when I'm at work I feel like a child in a candy store. In the afternoon, I go from client meetings to browsing old shops in search of nice items I can give a second life to. Dinner is with friends at mine, or at places like El Willy or Garlic. Then, before bedtime, a walk with my imaginary dog Jacky. 

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