Curated by Pınar Goodstone in collaboration with Özlem Kaya acclaimed fashion designer and professor at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Orkun Sevim, founder of KUUN Agency in Milano, Italy. For this project, Sevim personally conducted extensive archival work in Milan, uncovering the original sketches of Austrian artist Engelbert Kocian for La Mode Masculine magazine.
Kocian’s original sketches for La Moda Maschile are feats of precision and beauty the kind of work that today’s designers might entrust to software, yet in the 1950’s were executed entirely by hand. Every line is deliberate, every proportion exact, every shade thoughtfully chosen. His mastery of color breathes life into the garments, while his extraordinary expression of texture from the sheen of silk to the weight of wool or the crispness of linen is rendered so vividly you can almost feel it. With the accuracy of a draftsman and the soul of a true artist, Kocian’s illustrations transcend fashion sketching; they are works of art that tell the story of fabric, cut, and the enduring elegance of mid-century menswear, crafted stitch by stitch.
In the mid-20th century, illustrators like Kocian often worked in anonymity, their names absent from the publications they helped bring to life. This exhibition seeks to return those names to history, honoring the artists whose vision and skill shaped the aesthetics of an era yet went uncredited in their own time.
Created entirely by hand, Kocian’s work reflects the artistry and precision that defined the golden era of tailoring. La Moda Maschile, founded in 1927 aimed at professional tailors was more than a style publication it was a technical guide, a source of inspiration, and a cultural touchstone. It offered detailed garment patterns, seasonal trends, and even hosted competitions for fashion professionals of the era. Kocians work for the magazine bridged the worlds of artistry and craftsmanship, translating the ideals of Italian elegance into lines on paper that would become garments in ateliers across Europe. Seeing these original sketches today is not only a glimpse into the golden age of tailoring, but also a celebration of the manual techniques and creative vision that remain timeless.
After its Istanbul run, the exhibition will travel to Milan - the birthplace of La Moda Maschile for Milan Design Week in April 2026.
As part of her ongoing commitment to link art with social responsibility, curator Pınar Goodstone has partnered with a nonprofit in every project. For this exhibition, a portion of the proceeds will support Kuzey Ege Ortak Yaşam Derneği, a volunteer-led organization based in Çanakkale that has rescued, treated, and rehomed thousands of animals since 2011.
Pınar Goodstone
