Born in Istanbul in 1968, Atil Kutoglu graduated from the German Lycée in Istanbul and went to Vienna, Austria to study business administration. When still at high school in Istanbul he was already freelancing for the country's leading fashion companies Vakko and Beymen.
After completing his business administration studies at the University of Economics in Vienna, Atil Kutoglu presented his first collection with the help of a grant from the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Helmut Zilk. At the 1993 Munich Fashion Week he was awarded "The City of Munich" prize as the best newcomer. This was followed in 1994 by the „DIVA-Woolmark" prize for the best Austrian fashion designer, awarded by the IWS - International Wool Secretariat and Austria's „DIVA" fashion magazine, given to Atil Kutoglu at a big gala in the Vienna City Hall.