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İstanbul vying to become fashion capital
Famous Turkish fashion designers Bahar Korçan, Arzu Kaprol, Hakan Yıldırım, Hatice Gökçe, Özlem Süer, Mehtap Elaidi, İdil Tarzi, Gamze Saraçoğlu, Deniz Mercan, Simay Bülbül, Özlem Kaya, Özgür Masur, Günseli Türkay and Müge Ersin were among the participants of the event showing their collections.
In a statement earlier made to Sunday's Zaman, renowned fashion designer and MTD Chairperson Bahar Korçan said she was very happy to see a project, which she has been dreaming of for many years, become a reality [with the IFD]. Korçan said: “World fashion week activities were launched with the IFD. I believe that the IFD is a big organization helping the development of Turkish fashion and opening its doors to the world.” She also said the IFD will expand the horizons of young Turkish fashion designers and will give them the opportunity to introduce their names to the world.
Well-known fashion designer Arzu Kaprol, whose clothes always reflect both İstanbul and urban life and were displayed at the IFD on its first day, said Turkey has recently begun to attract attention in the field of fashion.
Kaprol admitted that Turkey has a long way to go to become a leader in fashion design, noting that Turkey has traditionally had its primary focus on the fashion industry and not on design.
“It is necessary to know and accept this. So far, we have not yet been evaluated in the creative countries' category in terms of fashion design since we have been seen as an industrial country. Looking at the past decade, it is possible to say that a change has begun in Turkey and that fashion design has gained more importance,” Kaprol explained.
İHKİB President Hikmet Tanrıverdi said a new period had started in the field of fashion in Turkey with the IFD, noting that the event will bring momentum to the fashion sector and make a contribution to the Turkish economy.
Korçan, for her part, who delivered a speech at the inauguration of the event, said the MTD has voluntarily worked for the development of the fashion sector in Turkey for the past 24 years; however, a need has emerged for the solidarity of the Turkish fashion sector, which is influenced by the cultural richness of Turkey. Around 15,000 people from different walks of life attended this year's IFD, during which 24 fashion shows took place in just three days.
First fashion event in Turkey in 2009
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Çağlayan said Turkey is hosting thousands of guests from around the world for this event alone, underlining that these people include the doyens of the business and large buyers.
He said the textile, ready-wear and apparel industries are “extremely important” for the overall economy, considering the production and export levels of the sector. Additionally, this industry enjoys increased importance because of its contributions to the promotion of the country in foreign markets, he said.
“Today, indeed, we are experiencing many ‘firsts' here. This is the first ‘fashion days activity' in the world for the 2010 season. In the rest of the world, similar activities will launch in September,” Çağlayan said. This year marked the first of the IFD, and the event will from now on be organized semi-annually for spring-summer and autumn-winter, just like its international counterparts.
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