FASHION
Let’s Talk Europe with Publication Creatives of the 21st Century
Joined by Vogue Turkey Writer and Numéro Production Manager
BY VANESA KRIZONYTE
City of Love Photoshoot. Image credits to Kelly Fountain.
From one generation to the next, fashion conversation has always revolved around the big European cities, passing down admiration for Giorgio Armani’s modernity, Christian Dior’s feminine silhouettes, and Thomas Burberry’s tailoring. With flights connecting cities within a couple of hours, fashion styles have become a hybrid of destinations, weaving stories of travel and experience. Since the first international edition of Vogue launched in 1916, the distribution of trends has accelerated, with New York ideas landing in Parisian hands. In these blurring times, we wonder if fashion leaves room for European creatives to carry their culture into expressions and the shaping of these affluent cities.
To explore this further, we invited leading creative perspectives from insiders and outsiders of the European sphere. Zeynep Yeniceri, a prominent writer for Vogue Turkey, shares stories rooted in her Turkish background and transition into wider Europe. Kelly Fountain, production manager and features editor at Numero offers insights into how Europe elevates her creativity and how city cultures intersect.
The early twenties are all about living to the fullest. Zeynep Yeniceri, born by the seaside in Turkey, moved at age 19 to study at Bocconi University in Milan. Landing in the heart of the fashion world in London. Nautical miles away, in New York, Kelly Fountain at age 20 worked for Marie Claire under Creative Director Nina Garcia. A few years later, she connected to Europe through her work with GQ Italy and moved to London to work for Tatler.
Through these youthful stories, we can see cultures mixing in the fashion realm. Unfolding a conversation about how different parts of Europe influence creative publications.
Has your Turkish background and Milan experience influenced your creative lens?
Zeynep Yeniceri: 100%! My fashion is heavily influenced by Milan. Loud luxury is more common in Turkey. It is a sign of status. In Milan, they are not showing off the luxury brands and are buying luxury for good quality. That has changed my view on fashion.
When I first went there, I could not believe it was summer. Everyone was wearing Doc Martens or chunky boots with shorts. It does not happen in Turkey. They have a Cool Girl vibe that I like and adopt.
I think Turkish people are witty and funny. Everyone says my articles are easy to read. I talk a lot and write as it comes to mind, like a dialogue — that is what I bring to Vogue Turkey.
Where in Europe have you lived before? Do you source inspiration from there?
Kelly Fountain: Fashion Weeks has always been inspirational to me. Every season feels like a renewal and a revival of creativity. They all have different energies and represent the cultures of cities and the designers that show in those cities.
New York is very edgy and has a street style. A lot of the fashion happens at the after-parties, where you see flamboyant looks. I love the Brick Lane feel in London. It’s very grungy and edgy. It recalls the punk era. I see a lot of Vivienne Westwood here. Milan is fun and colourful. Paris has a lot of textured, well-tailored clothing, and classic black looks.
With 195 countries, it is no surprise we have an array of designs with every creative embedding their culture while adopting others. If we do not search for origin, it is easy to get lost in consumption and not realise that we are infusing a rich heritage and tradition. Diving into Yeniceri’s story reshaped our understanding of Turkish culture with a clear distinction in their signature:
What fashion elements are you bringing from Turkey?
Zeynep Yeniceri: Drama.
My grandma used to be a tailor. My mum designs jewellery and bags. She made me a Vivienne Westwood-style necklace. Turkish culture brings made-to-order pieces rather than mass production. I always like to wear jewellery that means something. We do crafts and put a meaning behind it.
Zeynep Yeniceri article featured in Vogue Turkey May 2025. Photo credits to Vogue Publication.
Would your writing be different if you were not writing for Vogue Turkey?
Zeynep Yeniceri: If I were to write for another publication, maybe in another country, I would have loved to try different tones too.
These insights highlight how Turkish creatives draw on family tradition and passionate expression to shape their work, while Kelly Fountain taps into European cultures to fuel her creativity.
Do you encounter the shoot locations beforehand? Is it a first-hand experience?
Kelly Fountain: I studied in Amsterdam. I love to travel solo. My experience of cities is walking around, going to museums, getting coffee, and trying to take it in as an American in Europe.
Photoshoot with Model Frida Aasen in Paris. Photo credits to Kelly Fountain.
Do you have a different approach depending on the editorial location?
Kelly Fountain: We have to think about the audience a lot. There are loads of meetings on who is going to be the cover. Is this going to be someone the country admires, and what are they up to recently? Thinking about the feel of clothes and colours in that issue.
Clothes come to life in these places.
Following the detailed discussion of the process behind their creative lens, it was right to explore favourite features to see how Europe plays out.
Kelly Fountain: My favourite feature was the City of Love for Numéro Russia in 2022.
We shot Duckie Thot on a rooftop in New York and Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver in LA. The following week, flying to Paris to photoshoot with Frida Aasen.
All the cities had their energy and expression. We had Duckie on the rooftop in very tailored, monochromatic pieces. She looked fierce and strong but also very feminine. Josephine was in a very soft, flowy dress and Frida in the Haute Couture looks in Paris.
All of the models had their energy and played to the culture, but were part of a larger narrative.
Numéro Russia 066, Model Frida Aasen, Photographed by George Livieratos. Image access by Production Manager Kelly Fountain.
Zeynep Yenceri: My first article for Vogue and how cities influence fashion was one of my favourites.
I put in my experience of how cities have different styles. It is interesting to see why we dress differently. In New York, it’s one of the coolest things to wear to Alo Yoga. When I was in Paris, my friend told me not to wear activewear in public as it is not fashionable.
I get to become a different person not only in Paris but also in London, Turkey, or anywhere I go! I like to dress up based on the events and cities. I have a new character unlocked because that’s what fashion is about.
Zeynep Yeniceri, Senin gardirobun, benim gardirobum, Vogue Turkey, November 2021.
It is fair to say publication creatives are producing the art of storytelling. Every story contains first-hand experience of their culture and beautiful fragments of others. We must consume with an open eye because the moment you pause, a story unfolds. Through Zeynep Yeniceri’s lens, we see how fashion publications can become easy-flowing conversations. Meanwhile, Kelly Fountain reveals the wonders cultural exchange can bring to creative expression. In the present times, our personal stories shine brightest when they connect and grow-through the cultures we embrace.
Interviews for this story were conducted in May 2025. With gratitude to the creative minds of Zeynep Yeniceri and Kelly Fountain.
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