Hello, I’m İlkim Su Derin. I’m 25 years old, I represent Turkey, and I’ve come here from one of the most beloved regions of Turkey, Aydın. In Aydın, the most loved places are Didim and Kuşadası.
– What is the most important value or lesson your culture has taught you?
In Turkish culture, sociability and tolerance are core values. We are taught that being hospitable and brave is very important. These are the two values I prioritize most in myself. For a Turk, being courageous and warm-hearted comes first. We Turks always support the people we love wherever we go.
Can you share a moment in your life that made you the woman you are today?
This woman was created by my daughter! On this journey we’ve walked together, just the two of us, we have become a source of inspiration for other women. One day, my daughter told me she wanted to be “Barbie” when she grew up and asked if she could be the pink one and I could be the one in black. I said, “Why not?” The thing that made me the woman I am today was the moment she looked at me and questioned what she could or couldn’t be in the future. It was my passion to be a young mother who creates opportunities so that she can be whatever she wants. Just like Barbie says: “You can be anything.” Thanks to this, I became the Turkish Tarot Consultant who received the International 2024 Tarot Consultant of the Year Award. And now I’m here to inspire my daughter and all women that they, too, can be anything they dream of.
Outside of fashion, you have an interesting career as an international tarot consultant. How did this spiritual journey begin?
Oh, this journey began even before I was born! It’s a gift that passed from my grandmother to my mother, from my mother to me, and one day from me to my daughter. We are people with very strong intuition, and we value our feelings deeply. Throughout my life, my dreams and feelings have always been a guiding force when I look at people. Sharing the surprises awaiting them in their future and helping them with their life decisions through my intuition and foresight is part of my journey. Now, I have two published books on Tarot, I give Tarot training, I have a Tarot YouTube channel, three awards, my own custom-designed Tarot deck, and a spiritual mobile app called “FalPortal.” And the journey continues to grow from Turkey to the world, as long as I live.
Do you use tarot cards when making important decisions even professional ones?
Haha, yes. My cards have always been like a map for me in making decisions. In fact, the moment I received this pageant offer, after thinking of accepting it, the first thing I did was consult my cards to see what this pageant would bring me. Astrology and Tarot are my tools for foreseeing the future of the decisions I make.
Is there someone in the fashion world, Turkish or international who particularly inspires you?
Of course! Among Turkish designers, Dilek Hanif is very successful and made her mark in Paris. Barbaros Şansal is also very talented. These two are my favorite Turkish designers. Internationally, I admire Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Their designs are sexy and classy, bold yet noble.
How does it feel to represent Turkey on an international stage like Miss Europe Continental?
I feel very lucky and like I’m at the beginning of a new journey. Life has opened a door for me, from feeling the future with my cards in Turkey to showing the present with my beauty in Italy. Walking with women from all over the world and representing my country is a unique happiness for me. I send my love to all Turks around the world. I hope they see the effort I put in to represent Turkey in 2025. All the women in my country are very beautiful, and the men are very handsome. Haha, what do you think, should Miss Europe also have a male fashion show?
Would you like to do a creative project combining fashion and spirituality?
Definitely! A fashion show featuring 12 models, each representing a zodiac sign… A collection based on colors and symbols representing fire, water, earth, and air in tarot cards or designing and wearing jewelry inspired by the timeless symbols of playing cards, would be incredibly unique. Fashion is about making you feel. Spirituality is about feeling. Maybe one day we’ll come together with wedding dresses, bikinis, dresses, and jewelry designed for each zodiac sign! I also have an idea for a perfume series inspired by each zodiac and tarot card.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years as a woman and as a professional?
As a woman, I see myself traveling the world with my daughter, discovering exotic places and spiritual beliefs, and perhaps having found love… As a professional, I see myself back in Italy, the birthplace of Tarot, giving Tarot trainings and individual consultations to large audiences. What do you think? Was it the desire to see Tarot’s origins that drew me here, or to represent it on stage where it all began? I see myself publishing exhibitions, books, and magazines that bring together spirituality lovers from all around the world, continuing to inspire everyone I love and everyone who loves me through my work and projects everywhere I go.
Thank you, İlkim, for taking the time to share about yourself with the Miss Europe Continental community. See you soon in Naples!
Thank you, Federica, with all my heart and love. ❤
