By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK- A force to be reckoned with – Turkish fashion designer Peyman Umay has made his mark on the fashion scene in America and is here to stay. As one of New York’s leading fashion designers, Umay is one of a kind. Originally from Mersin, Turkey, he went from modeling in Istanbul to doing his second degree in fashion design to working in brand and product management as well as every aspect of clothing design for famous, international Turkish and foreign fashion brands. Starting out at Damat, Orka Group then moving onto Beymen, Boyner Group, gave Peyman his vast wealth of versatile fashion experience so he could take on the next big step in his well-heeled fashion career – moving on to Beau Brummel fashion brand where he became head designer in 2007.
Peyman’s name first came up in conversation, over a decade ago, when a very famous Turkish designer friend in the high-end handbag business, raved about Peyman’s clothes – not just the clothes though – also about what a wonderful person he said Peyman Umay is. Now that the fashion brand Peyman Umay is on the lips of some of America’s most famous affluent, celebrity men and women – it’s about time the rest of the world got to know this high-end fashion designer. He recently launched his new fashion label AY, which means moon in Turkish and is considered a casual but ‘statement-making’ leisurewear collection for the modern and discerning traveler.
The unique designer, who had focused primarily on menswear, began designing women’s clothes in 2013 and started his online store in 2010, the same year he founded Peyman Umay LLC In only three years, Umay achieved every fashion designer’s dream of having loyal clientele that include major news anchors, athletes and actors among his numerous clients. In 2013, he launched his women’s made-to-measure line of exclusive custom clothing with the same style and flair he brings to his elegant menswear. Then in 2014, Peyman Umay Ready-to-Wear was launched. During that same year, Umay opened his first Peyman Umay shop in Aspen, Colorado in December.
In a recent press interview after Forbes Magazine published an article on him, Umay said: “People don’t think much about the power of the clothes they wear. The clothes speak for you without saying anything. Dressing well is more than having a closet of very expensive clothes, or buying new season brand clothes. I think dressing well is a good way to live, like decorating a place…A well-dressed person is someone who knows body proportions and colors that suit them.” Peyman became known for his unique style – a marriage of European elegance and American comfort. The recipient of numerous fashion awards including having won the Rising Fashion Star Award in Menswear in 2017, Peyman has held many shows and exhibitions in Italy as well as France and Germany. He has appeared on Design Star, Million Dollar Listing, Celebrity Apprentice and The Real Housewives of New York. You could definitely say that Peyman Umay has finally arrived.
