Turkish scientist Canan Dağdeviren walked the runway in a Mor Cepken design at “What Were You Wearing?” an event held as part of New York Fashion Week. Held in the historic trading hall of the New York Stock Exchange, the event aimed to raise awareness of sexual violence against women and approaches that blame victims of violence.
The design worn by Dağdeviren is called “Mor Cepken – The Purple Guard.” The event’s central message focused on the idea that clothing cannot be interpreted as a justification for sexual violence or as an indication of consent. In a statement after the event, Dağdeviren emphasized that women deserve to be believed rather than blamed.
The cultural meaning of Mor Cepken
The Mor Cepken narrative is associated particularly with Yörük and Turkmen culture as a symbol of women’s solidarity and a call for help. In this cultural narrative, the purple vest symbolizes a woman silently signaling to those around her that she has experienced violence or serious injustice. The contemporary design transforms this meaning into a visible message against violence toward women today.
The design brings together the textile and handicraft heritage of different regions. Hatay purple raw silk, Denizli handwoven pink silk pestemal, Hereke silk, traditional needlework and suzani embroidery were among the work’s prominent elements. The design was prepared by İkbal Gülin Şenyuva Aktuğ and created with the work of various artisans.
Science, cultural heritage and women’s rights meet at one event
The event’s English title, “What Were You Wearing?”, makes a critical reference to the question “What were you wearing?”, which is directed at victims of sexual assault and can contribute to blaming them. In this context, Mor Cepken was presented as a symbol that highlights cultural memory and women’s solidarity in opposition to blaming people based on their clothing.
Dağdeviren’s appearance on the runway made the message about cultural heritage and women’s rights visible at the same event through a figure known for her scientific identity. Dağdeviren is known for her biomedical engineering and wearable technology work at the MIT Media Lab. The event also brought attention to the reinterpretation of Anatolian textile elements through a contemporary design in a globally visible center such as New York.
