Defne Özdoğan is a scenographer and designer based in Amsterdam and London, with a background in architecture. Her work spans across theatre, opera, dance, musicals, film, and fashion, where she combines spatial design with storytelling to create immersive environments.

Ganz unten - Lowest of the low,  Musiktheater , Opera 


Ganz Unten 

I worked as Associate Designer and Costume Supervisor on the UK premiere of 

 at the Arcola Theatre. This production, directed by Mehmet Ergen, is a fast-paced, satirical rock musical set in 1950s Baltimore, exploring themes of rebellion, class conflict, and teen love with a playful, subversive edge.​

Cry-Baby, The Musical

Hayalperest

A stage adaptation of Ece Temelkuran's acclaimed novel, at London's Arcola Theatre. The play follows four women on a transformative road trip from Tunisia to Lebanon during the Arab Spring, exploring themes of freedom, resilience, and female solidarity. The production was noted for its imaginative storytelling and compelling portrayal of women's experiences in times of political upheaval.

Women Who Blow on Knots

Captive

 is a miniature model designed for stop-motion animation, drawing inspiration from the 1980 novel 

 by Rachel Inglas. The piece explores the fragile psyche of Dorothy, a housewife haunted by maternal loss and her deceitful husband in the original story. Ozdogan's reinterpretation follows Dorothy’s descent into a psychotic episode, where she seeks solace through fantasy and imagination.

Mrs Caliban Reversed

Collaboration with Lâl Yılmaz — Graduate Show


For Lâl Yılmaz’s graduate exhibition at Central Saint Martins, I created a set design that integrated her textile-based visual world into a staged environment. Drawing on her surreal imagery of hybrid beings and symbolic landscapes, the installation was photographed and presented as part of her final textile showcase.

 A Red Stitch

The Royal Central School of Speech Drama Production for MA Acting for Screen

The Downfall of Tray the Wonder Horse

Adaptation of the novel by Rachel Ingalls

Devised with Kandinsky Theatre Company

Mrs Caliban 

A stage adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s novel, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Melly Still. Blending mystery, love, and loneliness, the story follows Sumire, a young writer who disappears while traveling, and the friend who searches for her across shifting realities. The production explores themes of identity, longing, and the boundaries between dream and reality.

Sputnik Sweetheart

 campaign with Dolce & Gabbana, two short films spotlight artists who challenge expectations in their fields. Harpist Madison Calley reimagines the instrument through contemporary music and bold styling, while musician Stefflon Don reflects on dedication and creativity in her cross-genre career. Both shoots highlight individuality, artistry, and the power of self-expression through Vogue’s cinematic lens.

Dolce & Gabbana x British Vogue 

 is a critically acclaimed fantasy short film that won the 

, the film explores themes of reality, perception, and human connection, weaving an intricate narrative that blurs the boundaries of time and space.

Action at a Distance

 is a performance art video that envisions a speculative world where humanity confronts mortality through collective resilience. In this piece, a group of non-trained performers mentally and emotionally prepare for death by re-enacting a shared scenario. The performance is accompanied by a soundscape blending electronic elements with acoustic instruments, reflecting the imminent state of being.

We Were Never Meant To Survive

 is an opera by Marc Blitzstein, performed as part of the 2023 Grimeborn Opera Festival at Arcola Theatre. Directed by Mehmet Ergen, this production explores themes of austerity, class struggle, and resilience, set in a Greek-American social club during a time of economic hardship. Defne Özdogan served as Costume Designer and Supervisor, helping bring the characters' emotional and social struggles to life through her designs, enhancing the opera's powerful commentary on contemporary societal issues.

No For an Answer

Arcola Youth Theatre’s three groups come together to perform their version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Arcola Outside, the perfect setting for a play that takes place in the forest.

Midsummer Night’s Dream

 tells the intertwined stories of four mothers across time and continents, exploring themes of colonialism, generational trauma, and the pursuit of hope. Set between the UK and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it highlights the struggles of its characters as they confront desire, ownership, and the spirit’s ability to overcome oppression.

Possession

This editorial shoot series is part of the 2023 Winter collection "Infinity" by Atelier Tenera. As part of my creative practice, these works explore surrealism, using symbolism and distortion to craft alternative realities. 

Atelier Tenera, Kali Editorial

Infinity, Atelier Tenera

Shania Twain x Sunday Times

Seeking Invisible x Numero Magazine

This video art piece explores the transformation of movement into creative expression. Capturing the essence of rhythm, it reflects the evolution of the body’s motion into shapes, colors, and materials. Tenera’s "Ecstatic Dance Session" teaser presents the "Journey" collection through an innovative blend of photoshoot and dance workshop, highlighting the connection between movement, creativity, and self-discovery.

Rhythms, Atelier Tenera

Project GarbageHouse was a renovation experiment that reimagined a wrecked building in Bodrum as an intentional and affordable living space. From December 2020 to September 2021, I led the architectural transformation of the house—shaping it into a home that prioritised creativity over consumption.

Defne Özdoğan