Our Client
Ege Tütüncü is the founder of Tutunj, a bold, contemporary fashion label launched in 2015 in Turkey. With no family background in textiles, Ege pursued his passion for visual design, starting with custom t-shirts and evolving into a sought-after streetwear brand. As his designs began catching international attention—worn by models associated with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and ordered from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and even Hong Kong—Ege envisioned a bigger future in the United States. His goal: to bring Tutunj to New York and Los Angeles and grow his brand globally.
Visa Process and Strategic Planning
While Ege initially visited the U.S. on a tourist visa to explore opportunities, he later discovered that his profile was well-suited for the O-1B visa, intended for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts. Grape Law guided him through an intensive and strategic application process, identifying the right visa route for a fashion entrepreneur—a lesser-known yet viable category for creatives like Ege.
I hadn’t even realized I was preparing for the O-1 visa over the years — but when we gathered everything together, it all just made sense.
- Ege Tütüncü
Ege’s portfolio included celebrity endorsements, international media coverage, and a strong brand presence. However, a key challenge was consolidating these achievements into a legally compelling narrative. Grape Law worked closely with Ege to map his body of work against the O-1 criteria—awards, press features, and notable collaborations—while also securing strong reference letters from figures in the industry.
Another strategic decision was leveraging Ege’s own U.S.-based company as his visa sponsor. With Grape Law’s help, Ege registered his business in the U.S., allowing him to both satisfy visa requirements and begin operating commercially under his brand.
Ege’s Brand Success and Impact in the U.S. Market
Ege’s O-1 visa was approved without any requests for additional evidence — a strong testament to the thorough and strategic preparation led by Grape Law. This approval marked not just a legal victory, but a transformative moment in Ege’s career. With his visa secured, he was able to fully establish his U.S.-based company and begin operating legally under his brand, Tutunj, in the world’s most competitive fashion markets.
Grape Law’s guidance in structuring the company as both a legitimate business and a qualified visa sponsor was instrumental. By incorporating his brand under a U.S. entity, Ege gained full control over his creative and business direction while satisfying one of the most technical elements of the O-1 application — sponsorship. This innovative legal structure allowed him to enter the U.S. market a lot faster, avoiding the lengthy timelines typically associated with employment-based visas.
Once your file is ready, you know exactly what to include and what to leave out. After that, the whole case just comes together naturally.”
- Ege Tütüncü
In the months following his approval, Ege began collaborating with U.S.-based stylists and artists, while also supporting other Turkish fashion entrepreneurs looking to enter the market. His work gained traction in New York and Los Angeles, and his designs — already worn by internationally known models — started receiving wider exposure.
Beyond simply staying in the United States, Ege is now thriving — building his brand, mentoring others, and working with top talent. His story exemplifies how creative professionals can turn their portfolios into powerful immigration cases when paired with the right legal team and strategy.
Working with Grape
Ege’s journey reflects how legal expertise and personalized strategy can empower creative entrepreneurs. Grape Law not only prepared a strong O-1 case but also helped Ege navigate company formation, sponsorship structuring, and strategic positioning in the U.S. market, as he aptly puts:
“Sometimes people don’t even realize they’re already qualified. You just need someone to help you see your own story clearly.”
- Ege Tütüncü
Today, Ege is not only pursuing his own dreams but mentoring others through the same path. His story is a powerful example of how fashion, innovation, and legal cooperation can align to create lasting impact in the U.S.