Fair respectfully remembers the victims of the earthquake disaster
February 8-11, 2023
∙ Third edition of IFCO, Istanbul Fashion Connection with 588 exhibitors on 100,000 sqm
∙ 22,543 visitors from 134 countries: 45% international visitors mostly from Asia (33%), Middle East (33%), Europe (19%) and Africa (13%); 55% domestic visitors
∙ B2B meetings in speed dating mode: the brands and manufacturers networked with special international buyers
∙ THE CORE with top designers and high-quality creations from Istanbul Fashion Week
∙ IMA Trend Zone gives creative input
∙ WGSN and Accademia della Moda Milan inform about the latest international fashion trends and developments
The successful third edition of IFCO Istanbul Fashion Connection took place from 8 to 11 February 2023. At the largest IFCO to date, 588 exhibitors in a total of 9 halls at the Istanbul Expo Center met more than 10,000 international trade visitors from 134 countries such as Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, UK, United Arab Emirates. 45% of the visitors were from 134 countries and 55% of visitors were domestic. The largest group of foreign visitors came from Asia (33%), Middle East (33%), Europe (19%) and Africa (13%).
İHKİB Vice Chairman Mustafa Paşahan:
“Devastating earthquakes hit Southern Türkiye on 6th of February 2023 and affected some 13.5 million people. According to Türkiye’s Health Disaster Coordination Center (SAKOM) more than 42.000 people have died and unfortunately the death toll is rising.
Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TIM) and Exporters’ Associations initiated an immediate aid campaign in coordination with the official Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Türkiye to help the victims. Over 150 trucks full of food, water, winter clothes, socks, underwear, winter shoes and boots, blankets, slumber jacks, baby diapers, electric heaters and dried foods have already been sent. However, over 6,500 buildings have collapsed in Türkiye, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Shelters and evacuations are not enough yet and the situation is dire for those still left on the street. In this respect, TİM and Exporters’ Associations have started a new campaign consisted of prefabricated components next to Organized Industrial Zones to establish temporary shelter centers and to provide facilities to continue production. 
Our hearts and minds are at the earthquake zone and it was very difficult to organize an exhibition in this process. However, the stronger we are economically, the faster we can heal the wounds of this earthquake.’’
Despite major disruptions in flight schedules, more than 2,600 invited international VIP buyers were able to visit the fair on the first day already. Despite the circumstances, the fair was characterised by lively business activity. International visitors included Ackermans (South Africa), Al Shaya (Kuwait), Apparel Group (UAE), Truworths (Kenya), Bodesa (Mexico), El Corte Ingles (Spain) and other countries. The matchmaking at the fair was very convincing for the companies. They met exhibitors relevant to them and concluded orders. The networking was tailored exactly to their individual needs.
Divided into clear cut exhibition segments on a total of 100,000 sqm of exhibition space brands and manufacturers showed the latest collections from the areas of womenswear, menswear, kidswear, denim, sportswear, evening and weddingwear, lingerie, hosiery, leather & furs.
In the new high-quality designer area The CORE İSTANBUL, internationally renowned designers from Istanbul Fashion Week presented their exciting and creative designs, including Arzu Kaprol, Aslı Filinta, Cerenocak, Çiğdem Akın, Ersozata, Essin Barış, Ezgi Karayel,
TAGG, Giyi World, Lug Von Siga, Mehmet Emiroğlu, Meltem Özbek, Kuela, Murat Aytulun, By the Oak, Nej, Selen Akyüz, Selin Küçüksöz, SYHZ wear, Tuba Ergin, Y Plus, Muse for All.
International premium buyers such as Bergdorf Goodman & Niemann Marcus, Gate Berlin, Printemps and Luisa Via Roma were convinced by the creativity and quality of the presented collections in The CORE İSTANBUL
“The Core is the premier platform that connects local fashion designers with the international fashion market. Our mission is to showcase the work of Istanbul´s talented designers who are dedicated to creating unique and innovative fashion designs while embracing conscious and sustainable practices.”, says Günes Güner, curator of The Core.
Even more design power was on display at the KOZA Design Competition for young fashion creators. IMA Istanbul Moda Akademisi was responsible for the design of the IMA LAB trend zone at IFCO. In the creative space, the trends and themes of the coming season were taken up and presented in a visually elaborate way. Euphoric Recall encompasses colourful, playful 70’s vibes, Metasphere describes the return of glitter and metallic with a futuristic touch. The New Gen area featured pieces by up-and-coming designers of the next generation. 
IFCO BRANDS brought together market leaders such as İpekyol, Damat, Kiğılı, Altınyıldız, B&G Store, Lufian, Jakamen, Batik, NaraMaxx, Giovane Gentile, Lee Cooper and Tudors, who used IFCO to further expand their international network.
In two separate halls, LinExpo gave an impressive overview of lingerie and hosiery. As a part of IFCO 145 manufacturers presented themselves here.
A large selection of high-quality bridal and evening dresses and suits were shown in the FashionIST area.
In the IFCO Sourcing area, especially designed for production, trade visitors networked directly with international production companies such as Bozkurt, Bilce Tekstil, Gelişim, Karar, Cemsel, Bozpa, Demezoğlu, Zevigas and more.
Turkey’s textile and clothing sector exported a total of $31.2 billion in 2022, accounting for 12.4% of Turkey’s total exports. In addition, both sectors account for 17% of total industrial production and employ over 1.2 million people. With a share of 6.7% of the total GDP, the total production of the textile and clothing industry in 2022 amounts to $79 billion. The Turkish clothing industry is the leading branch of industry in the manufacturing sector and the branch with the highest employment in the Turkish economy. With an export volume of over $21 billion, the Turkish apparel industry is the sixth largest exporting country in the world. In the medium term, an export volume of $40 billion is aimed for. Turkey is already the third largest supplier to the clothing market in the European Union. Other markets such as North and South America are also becoming more important. Exports to the US have increased by more than 60% over the past five years. 
In their trend lectures, WGSN and the Accademia della Moda IUAD provided impetus for the latest collections and presented the fundamental developments in the fashion industry. The trend forecast by Rossella Catapano, Accademia della Moda, led from basic questions such as “What is a fashion trend anyway?” to specific developments in the industry such as body positivity, circularity, genderless fashion, new sensuality, underlined by collections and shows by e.g. Stella McCartney, Jacquemus and Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Turkey complements its offer as an all-round supplier for the international fashion business with Texhibition Istanbul, which serves the entire range of fabrics, accessories and yarns as a supplement to IFCO. Texhibition will also be held at Istanbul Expo Center from March 8 to 10, 2023.
The next IFCO is scheduled from August 9 to 11, 2023.
NEXT DATES:
Texhibition Istanbul: 8-10 March 2023
IFCO Istanbul Fashion Connection: 9-11 August 2023
