HEIRA LEATHERWEAR
HEIRA LEATHERWEAR is a New York-based contemporary luxury label redefining leather womenswear through sculptural silhouettes, provocative tailoring, and meticulous craftsmanship. Bridging New York’s fearless creative energy with Istanbul’s rich artisanal heritage, HEIRA creates statement pieces that celebrate individuality, sensuality, and unapologetic self-expression.
Handcrafted in the brand’s Istanbul atelier, each design is made from premium full-grain leather, with select pieces featuring supple lambskin and silk linings. From sharply tailored leather blazers and body-contouring dresses to dramatic trench coats and signature reversible outerwear, HEIRA explores the tension between strength and femininity.
Committed to considered production, the label embraces a made-to-order approach, prioritizing longevity, exceptional materials, and craftsmanship over mass production.
HEIRA’s distinctive aesthetic has attracted artists and cultural figures including Bebe Rexha, Kesha, Tinashe, and Lana Condor, with appearances in fashion editorials and publications such as NYLON.
Designed for women who embrace fashion as an extension of their identity, HEIRA transforms leather into a powerful expression of modern confidence.
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MEET THE DESIGNER
"Watching how a piece can transform the way a woman feels, carries herself, and expresses her personality is what I love most about what I do."
HEIRA LEATHERWEAR
MINI INTERVIEW
What's your favorite thing about being a fashion designer?
My favorite part is bringing something that exists only in my imagination into reality. Seeing an idea take physical form is a feeling that’s hard to describe, especially when the final piece turns out exactly as I envisioned it. But what makes it truly rewarding is seeing my designs worn by strong, talented women. Watching how a piece can transform the way a woman feels, carries herself, and expresses her personality is what I love most about what I do.
What do you think are the most important skills for a fashion designer?
I believe having a strong technical foundation is one of the most important skills a fashion designer can have. Studying Fashion Design at FIT has been invaluable to me, not only creatively but in almost every aspect of building my own brand.
Understanding patternmaking, garment construction, stitching techniques, and fabrics gives you the ability to turn an idea into something that can actually be worn. It allows you to understand what’s possible, how a garment should fit, and how to bring a design to life without compromising your vision.
There are incredibly talented designers who haven’t studied fashion formally, but I feel very fortunate to have had that education. Even today, when I’m working closely with my team on patterns and production, I constantly find myself grateful for everything I learned at FIT.
What's your favorite material to work with?
Leather. Leather. Leather.
How do you stay inspired?
Living in New York City is probably one of the most inspiring things for me. I’m constantly inspired by the city’s energy, chaos, and intensity. There’s something about living in a city that never sleeps that keeps me energized and creatively charged. My designs are made for city women, and I think that connection naturally reflects in my work.
I’m originally from Istanbul, another city that never sleeps, with its own incredible energy and beautiful chaos. Both cities have shaped the way I see the world and approach design. I think my biggest source of inspiration is simply my environment, the places I live, the people around me, and the emotions these cities make me feel.
What does your design process look like?
My design process usually starts with a lot of sketching. I have two entire walls in my studio covered with boards where I pin my drawings, ideas, and concepts. I love being surrounded by them because sometimes a sketch I made months ago will suddenly inspire something completely new.
Other times, the process starts with the material itself. I might come across a beautiful piece of leather and immediately imagine the jacket, skirt, or dress I could create with it. I love that inspiration can happen in both directions. Sometimes I have a vision and search for the right material to bring it to life, and sometimes the material inspires the entire design.
It’s a very intuitive process, and I love allowing ideas to evolve naturally.