A TURKISH fashion designer is bringing haute couture to Rottingdean High Street.

Elif Köse’s eponymous designer shop offers bespoke dressmaking and alterations.

The 30-year-old has unique designs from winter coats to wedding dresses, made by a small team at the back room of the shop.

Growing up in Ayvalik, Turkey, before moving to the UK in 2007, Ms Köse learnt her trade from her mother, who was a dressmaker.

She took a business degree rather than fashion design to learn to market herself and her dream is to become a household name.

She said: “Chanel always inspires me, because she started as an alterations person.

“That would be my dream, to be a Chanel,”

Ms Köse is also inspired by her countrywomen – some of whom are oppressed. She said: “I’m doing it to inspire all those Turkish women.

“A lot of women are oppressed by their cultures and have no confidence. I’m doing it to show that they can do it too.”

Ms Köse employs three people but still works in her shop six days a week.

She said: “I can’t help it, when it’s your own business it’s relentless, but I love what I do.

“My future plan is to have a branch of my shop in London or have a concession in Harrods or Liberties.”

Ms Köse is currently organising a charity fundraising draw with her own and another Turkish designer’s products as prizes.

Visit www.elifkose.co.uk