Sophia Demirtas is the Haitian-born founder and designer of the luxury women's fashion brand Fanm Mon. The brand is known for its vibrant, hand-embroidered, and sustainable ready-to-wear pieces, with operations in the U.S., Turkey, and Ukraine. 

Career and Brand

• Background: Demirtas grew up in Haiti, where she was influenced by women who made their own clothes and her grandmother, an avid embroiderer. Before launching her fashion career, she worked in social work in New York City, which she states shaped her path.
• Founding Fanm Mon: After moving to Turkey with her family in late 2013, she decided to pursue her passion for fashion and launched Fanm Mon (which means "mountain woman" in Haitian). The brand gained significant attention after she posted a dress she made for herself on Instagram, leading to high demand.
• Design Philosophy: Her designs are inspired by nature, her Haitian heritage, and the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and are characterized by their romantic silhouettes, bold colors, and intricate, folkloric embroidery. The brand emphasizes slow, ethical, and sustainable fashion, using high-quality linen and cotton, with most items made to order and hand-embroidered by artisans in Ukraine and Turkey.
• Business Approach: Demirtas employs a collaborative leadership style, allowing her team to take ownership of their responsibilities, and focuses on providing dignified employment for her artisans. Her husband also works on the administration and business side of the company, allowing her to focus on creativity.