Meet Diko Pekdemir-Lewis | Fashion Designer & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diko Pekdemir-Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diko, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up with creative parents paved my path into working in a creative field. My mom was a singer and a poem writer and my dad is a bespoke tailor. Both enjoyed and loved their career and shared their joy with me. In a young age I knew that I wanted to follow my dad’s path and pursue a career in fashion.
My dad always amazed me by how he was able to create a men’s suit out of a piece of fabric. And how I loved my one of a kind garments, they made feel special and unique. In my early childhood he inspired me to start making clothes for my Barbies and dolls..

I went to college to study bespoke tailoring and Fashion Design with a minor in art. At college I learned how to develop my technical skills, solve problems creatively and to master the fundamentals.

Designing and creating is my passion and has only grown over the years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was born and raised in Germany in a multicultural environment. Both of my parents were immigrants from Turkey. I grew up speaking two languages and started learning English and French in school.

I moved to SC with my family in July 2016. My two daughters Antoinette “Anton” and Maxine are the name givers for my label.

After graduating from college and working several for fashion brands in Germany, I decided to do my own thing and worked as a Freelancer. I taught basic design and sewing skills at a craft center before I launched my first accessories label DPL, in 2009, which became Anton & Maxine in 2014.

Since then, I provide my community with beautiful women’s designer clothing focused on comfort and style. Made with quality craftsmanship and detailed for positive compliments.

I have always been fascinated by the art of designing and creating garments. From the moment of selecting the fabric and having the vision. Followed by the process of designing and creating, to the moment of seeing it on a happy customer, is like magic. When I design a new collection for my label, Anton & Maxine, I want each design to evoke a feeling of confidence and beauty. My goal is for my customers to find their own style and look.

Each Anton & Maxine garment is designed, cut, and sewn one at a time in my studio by me. I love the process of creating a garment from the very first idea on a paper to the end piece on a happy customer.

What makes my designs interesting is that they are inspired by European and Asian street styles, with the combination of American comfort.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to a Columbia, SC downtown 5 Points tour. For the first 3 days I would take them to have lunch at Enzo’s, Crave Delicatessen and The Gourmet Shop. For a coffee break Drip Coffee. To shop and meet artists and designers to The Outpost and along the shops at Saluda Ave. For Dinner I would take my fiends to Bourbon, they have the best Mac & Cheese in town, The War Mouth and for Mexican inspired food Coa’s or Cantina 76. For drinks Bourbon Lounge or Hendricks. To see art I would take them to the CMA and the 701 Contemporary gallery. On Friday I would take them to NOMA Warehouse for an evening market and some street food or delicious pizza next door t Il Focolare. On Saturday morning to Sodacity, which is one of the biggest farmers markets in SC. After the market I would drive to Charleston and eat, drink, and dans at Trio and stay there over night. The next morning after breakfast, I would go to the beach at Sullivan Island or Folly Beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
After both of my parents, my husband Michael ,who always supports me with my business and my dreams. Both of my daughters Antoinette and Maxine, who are the sweetest. Big fans of my brand and patient when I have to work long hours. My sister and both of my nieces. My amazing artist friends Flavia Lovatelli, Tabitha Ott, Ce Scott – Fitts, Mary Catherine Kunze. and Mom, They made it moving to the US and living here very easy for me. My amazing interns Jacob and Alexa, who are the best inters you could have. Big shoutout to my wonderful models, who worked with me for the past 5 years. My amazing creative friends Latonya, Stoi, Soul, Shae, My Turkish girls Filiz, Gul, Tuba and Zeynep, you girls are amazing. Shoutout to my wonderful family and friends back in Germany and Turkey. I miss you all.

Website: https://www.antonandmaxineclothing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonandmaxine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonandMaxine

Image Credits
Photographer Jacob Zambrano