Iuliia Bazhan Shines at the Paris Fashion Show

When supermodel Iuliia Bazhan stepped onto the Paris runway to close Turkish designer Melissa Yılmaz’s 2025 Spring/Summer show, it marked a memorable moment. The audience was enveloped in a moment that needed no theatrics, no dramatic cues. All eyes were on her.

Her walk defined the mood of the night — calm, controlled, and impossible to ignore. Every step was deliberate, carrying the full weight of her presence.

The night’s final look surpassed mere fashion. It became a vehicle for storytelling, an aesthetic anthem that spoke through her.

Silk, Strength and Majesty

The closing design was a remarkable display of craftsmanship. A structured black corset, strikingly sheer yet sculpted, wrapped Bazhan’s frame in a way that felt both protective and unabashedly feminine.

This piece was finished with a crystal tiara of celestial jet-black jewels.

“When I took the final walk, the silence spoke volumes. No one had to say a word. You could feel the weight of the moment all around us,” Bazhan reflects. “It felt like performing the final scene of a great story, one that the audience never wanted to end.”

Melissa Yılmaz’s Bold Vision

Melissa Yılmaz, born in Germany and raised in Izmir, has become an influential figure in Turkish couture. Her designs, famed for their daring silhouettes and bold use of color, have captivated audiences far and wide.

Yılmaz’s SS25 finale, brought to life by Iuliia Bazhan, was nothing short of a milestone. It was a notable moment for Turkish fashion on the global stage.

Paris Fashion Week 2025 - Iuliia Bazhan commanding attention in a golden Maison Vemian couture creation. Photography by Jean Marie Boyer 

Leaving a Mark with Every Step in Many Shows

To label Iuliia Bazhan as just a model would be a disservice. She is a storyteller in motion, amplifying what fashion can mean with every walk.

Her career spans iconic runways in Paris, Milan, London, Dubai, Istanbul, and Moscow. But her power lies in something intangible; she doesn’t just wear designs, she embodies them, turning every step into a story etched in memory.

“I approach each runway as an act of timeless storytelling,” Bazhan shares. “It’s not about pleasing the crowd. It’s about creating something worth remembering.”

Turkish Fashion’s Rising Star

Iuliia Bazhan and Turkish fashion have a longstanding relationship. Her first foray into Turkish-style couture came in 2023, when she walked for a leading designer at Turkish Fashion Week. It was a revelation for the supermodel, a discovery of a new creative language.

“Turkish fashion feels alive. It’s unapologetic, emotional, and full of pride. You sense it in the textures, the designs, and most of all, the people behind it,” she says.

The collaboration with Melissa Yılmaz reinforced what Bazhan has come to love about Turkish couture. It is a celebration of identity, an unapologetic declaration of confidence to the world.

Backstage at Paris Fashion Week SS25 - A delicate moment before the spotlight finds her. Iuliia Bazhan in blush couture, surrounded by the buzz of press backstage. Photography by Jean Marie Boyer 

What Makes Turkish Fashion Unique?

“European fashion leans on legacy and technique. Turkish fashion, on the other hand, is fueled by emotion and identity. Once the world takes notice, it’s impossible to ignore its power. I’m proud to be part of this cultural renaissance.”

Designers like Melissa Yılmaz and icons like Iuliia Bazhan are helping to elevate Turkish fashion’s presence in the industry.

Fashion needs more than beauty now. It needs presence, story and credibility. That’s what I bring to every runway. That’s why my career  is  international, influential and unstoppable.