Erdem Moralioglu
Founder and creative director of Erdem
Erdem Moralioglu is the Canadian born, London based designer who founded the womenswear label Erdem in 2005. Known for richly detailed prints, florals and a romantic, historically informed femininity, he has become one of the most established names of London Fashion Week.
| Role | Founder and creative director, Erdem |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005, London |
| Education | Royal College of Art, MA 2003 |
| Born | 1977, Montreal |
| Honours | MBE, 2020 |
Who is Erdem Moralioglu?
Erdem Moralioglu was born in Montreal in 1977 to a Turkish father and an English mother. He is the founder and creative director of Erdem, a London label known for intricate prints, embroidery and lace, and for collections that often draw on historical figures and archives.
Career
Moralioglu studied fashion at Ryerson University in Toronto before moving to London, where he completed an MA at the Royal College of Art in 2003. He interned at Vivienne Westwood before launching his own label in 2005.
The brand won the inaugural BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund in 2010. Further awards include British Fashion Council Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014 and the Establishment Designer award in 2015. He was appointed MBE in 2020 for services to fashion.
Erdem opened its flagship store on South Audley Street in Mayfair in 2015. Its first international store opened at Shinsegae Gangnam in South Korea in 2024, followed in 2025 by a second Korean location and a second London store on Sloane Street.
Influence on the fashion business
Erdem is an example of a London independent label that has grown steadily from a design led base. Notable moments include:
- A 2017 collaboration with H&M, with a campaign directed by Baz Luhrmann
- A make up collaboration with NARS in 2018
- Costumes for the Royal Ballet's Corybantic Games in 2018
- Expansion into menswear and international retail
His work has been shown in exhibitions at institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the V&A and the Palais Galliera.
The label's awards also reflect its strength in eveningwear: in 2013 Moralioglu was named Red Carpet Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, and in 2017 he was named International Canadian Designer of the Year, reflecting his standing in his country of birth as well as in Britain. The brand expanded into menswear in 2021.
Why it matters
Erdem illustrates how a London designer brand can build a loyal international client base, use high profile collaborations to reach new audiences and grow its own retail network gradually. Its consistent aesthetic has made it a reference for contemporary romantic womenswear.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Erdem Moralioglu?
Erdem Moralioglu is a Canadian born designer based in London who founded the label Erdem in 2005. He studied at Ryerson University in Toronto and the Royal College of Art in London.
What is Erdem known for?
Erdem is known for romantic womenswear with detailed floral prints, lace and embroidery. The label also gained wide attention through its 2017 collaboration with H&M.