Mert Otsamo

{{short description|Finnish fashion designer (born 1990)}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Mert Otsamo

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|3 September 1990|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Oulu, Finland

|occupation = Fashion designer

|nationality = Finnish

}}

Mert Otsamo (born 3 September 1990) is a Finnish fashion designer.{{cite web|title=Mert Otsamo teki lukiolaiselle maltillisen puvun|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/linnanjuhlat2014/a/2014120618899250|website=Italehti}}

Otsamo was born in Oulu. His heritage lies in the Finnish Northern Ostrobothnia and Turkey (as his father is Turkish),{{cite web |url=https://www.kaleva.fi/mert-ei-anna-menestyksen-kihahtaa-hattuun/2478399 |title=Mert ei anna menestyksen kihahtaa hattuun |last=Skiftesvik |first=Saga |date=17 January 2011 |website=Kaleva |language=fi |access-date=17 November 2020}} and from an early age he began making clothes inspired by cartoons and video games. His childhood passion offered an escape from the dramatic challenges and adversity he faced growing up. His upbringing and constant reflection upon the fragility of life has served as a foundation for his work.{{cite web|last1=Di Boscio|first1=There|url=http://www.thegenteel.com/articles/design/a-brand-new-finnish-line|title=A Brand New Finnish Line|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915042401/http://www.thegenteel.com/articles/design/a-brand-new-finnish-line|archive-date=15 September 2015|website=The Genteel|accessdate=4 September 2015}}

Otsamo's first independent collection embodied his signature style, consisting of intriguing sculptural pieces. The collection was well received and selected styles were made available for purchase in various concept stores in Finland. The collections that followed have gradually evolved towards a more specialized pattern-making and tailoring which has further distinguished his label and unique approach to design.{{cite web|title=Mert Otsamo|url=http://www.mertotsamo.com/about/|website=www.mertotsamo.com|publisher=Realcollective OÜ|accessdate=4 September 2015}}

In 2009, Otsamo appeared on MTV3's Project Runway and finished third.{{cite web|title=Mert Otsamo|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/henkilo/mert-otsamo/|website=Iltasanomat|publisher=Iltasanomat|accessdate=4 September 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044441/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/henkilo/mert-otsamo/|archivedate=24 September 2015}}

In Autumn of 2013 Otsamo was also a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.