Türkiye’s international fashion trade fair highlighted sourcing, design, sustainability and global buyer engagement while confirming new initiatives for 2027.

The 10th edition of Istanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO) concluded in Istanbul after bringing together 12,550 trade visitors from 117 countries between 19 and 21 August 2026. More than 200 exhibitors showcased collections, production capabilities and sourcing solutions across multiple apparel categories, while the event also introduced new initiatives including the SOURCEIST sourcing platform and announced revised fair dates beginning in 2027.

International business, design innovation, sustainability and digital transformation remained central themes throughout the three-day event.

IFCO welcomes buyers from 117 countries

Held at the Istanbul Expo Center, the event attracted 12,550 trade visitors, with 4,525 international visitors, representing 36 percent of total attendance.

The regional breakdown of international visitors included:

• Middle East: 42.9%
• Europe: 21.4%
• Asia: 19.8%
• North Africa: 10.6%
• North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Oceania: 5.2%

Visitors arrived from markets including Russia, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Palestine, Iran, Tunisia, Algeria, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Libya and the United Arab Emirates.

The exhibition featured apparel categories including:

• Womenswear
• Menswear
• Kidswear
• Denim
• Eveningwear
• Lingerie
• Hosiery
• Footwear
• Accessories
• Homewear

Industry leaders outline IFCO's international role

Mustafa Paşahan, President of İHKİB, said:

"Over the past four years, IFCO has made significant progress and established itself as an international platform for the Turkish fashion industry. It brings together design and production expertise, connects brands with buyers, and turns creative vision into business opportunities. This growing international reach demonstrates the strength of Türkiye’s fashion industry and Istanbul’s role as a global fashion and sourcing hub."

Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), said:

"At IFCO, we are not only showcasing our products; we are bringing the design, manufacturing, and entrepreneurial capabilities of Türkiye’s fashion industry to the world. By bringing together leading buying groups, brands, and industry professionals from different markets, IFCO creates new business connections and opens the way for new export opportunities. Our goal is to further strengthen Türkiye’s position in global fashion, expand our international reach, and increase the contribution of the fashion industry to our exports. IFCO is an important part of this vision and demonstrates the strong potential of Türkiye’s fashion industry."

Hosted Buyer Programme focuses on business meetings

The Hosted Buyer Programme and structured B2B meetings connected exhibitors with international buyers, department stores, retailers, distributors and online platforms.

Registered buyers included:

• Barcelino Continental
• Fashion Concepts
• Modacolor
• Trendy Man (USA)
• Distillery Clothing/Gotstyle
• Influence U
• Rhowan James (Canada)
• Boutiqaat Group
• Elements by Meyci
• Landmark Group (UAE)
• Alfa International – Harvey Nichols
• Mark and Save (Saudi Arabia)
• Father and Sons (France)
• Atelier X GmbH (Germany)
• Almanar International Group (Qatar)
• Union Trading (Kuwait)
• Moss Bros (UK)

According to organisers, several meetings progressed beyond initial introductions, resulting in sample requests, follow-up discussions and order negotiations.

Emre Ayan, Design Director of Jakamen, said:

"IFCO once again proved to be a productive platform. Our collection attracted strong interest, and we established valuable connections, particularly with buyers from Central Asia."

Adnan Canpolat, owner of Carmen, said:

"Each season, IFCO continues to strengthen its buyer profile. The strong interest in eveningwear creates dynamism at the fair, and many of our meetings turn into orders during and after the event."

THE CORE highlights Turkish fashion designers

The event introduced THE CORE, a curated design platform showcasing contemporary Turkish fashion beyond the traditional trade fair format.

Participating designers included:

• Belma Özdemir
• Emre Erdemoğlu
• Erkan Demiroğlu
• Bianco e Nero by Gamze Satgan
• TAGG by Gökay Gündoğdu
• Gökhan Yavaş
• Hatice Gökçe
• Meltem Özbek
• Mert Erkan
• Niyazi Erdoğan
• Nur Kalay Collection
• Özlem Erkan
• Sudi Etuz by Şansım Adalı
• Tuba Ergin
• Y Plus by Yakup Biçer
• Mehtap Elaidi
• Murat Aytulum

The installation featured contemporary womenswear, menswear, tailoring, conceptual streetwear, street couture and gender-fluid fashion.

Denim and menswear receive dedicated focus

A new Denim Area presented manufacturers including:

• Catch
• Koza Denim
• 2Ypremium

The exhibition highlighted developments in denim production, washing technologies, finishing processes and production methods.

Menswear was also given greater visibility through a redesigned exhibition concept featuring companies including:

• Kiğılı
• Jakamen
• NCS
• İmza
• Kadir Büyükkaya
• Terzi Adem

The exhibitors presented collections spanning tailoring, knitwear, sportswear, smart casual and contemporary menswear.

LINEXPO expands sourcing categories

LINEXPO returned within IFCO, featuring exhibitors specialising in:

• Lingerie
• Hosiery
• Swimwear
• Seamless technologies
• Loungewear
• Accessories

Participating companies included:

• Sevim Innerwear/Lingerie
• Siyah İnci
• İpek Tenim
• Artış Collection

Ümit Taş, Sales Manager at Artış Collection, said:

"IFCO was well organised and efficient. Integrating LINEXPO into the fair added significant value for both visitors and exhibitors."

Trend area explores Autumn/Winter 2027/28 directions

Curated by the Istanbul Fashion Academy (IMA), the RESONATE AW 2027/28 trend area examined macro trends influencing upcoming collections.

The four featured themes were:

• ATTUNE
• ECHOFORM
• SYNC MODE
• PULSE PLAY

The presentation focused on evolving consumer behaviour, functionality, craftsmanship, modular design and changing approaches to fashion.

Sustainability and AI featured in conference programme

Alongside the exhibition, seminars and panel discussions addressed topics including:

• Sustainability
• Artificial intelligence
• Digital transformation
• European Green Deal
• Digital Product Passport
• Traceability
• Certification
• Resource-efficient manufacturing
• Export financing
• International markets

The sessions examined developments affecting the global textile and apparel industry.

Fashion shows complement exhibition

Fashion presentations over two days featured collections from:

• FIMKA
• Terzi Adem Altun
• Quesste Maxra

The runway programme accompanied the exhibition, seminars and networking activities.

SOURCEIST to launch in February 2027

İHKİB announced SOURCEIST, a new sourcing platform scheduled for 4–5 February 2027.

The format will connect international brands and buying groups with Turkish manufacturers through curated business meetings and sourcing-focused matchmaking.

IFCO moves second annual edition to September

Beginning in 2027, IFCO's second annual edition will shift from August to September.

According to organisers, the schedule change is intended to better align with international buying calendars and sourcing cycles.

Exhibitors share event feedback

Several exhibitors commented on their participation during the event.

Murat Atalan, Ceremony Tekstil, said:

"IMPROVING WITH EACH SEASON"

"We have been participating in the IFCO Fair from the very beginning. We are present at the fair with a very dynamic team and we leave the fair very satisfied. IFCO, which continues to improve with each season, holds great importance for the Turkish Ready-Made Clothing sector. However, I think this importance is not sufficiently understood. In this season of the fair, which has been quite successful up to now, we primarily connected with buyers coming from Middle Eastern countries. We are able to take orders during the fair and we acquire many new customers thanks to IFCO."

Barış Köseliören, FIMKA, said:

"WE FOUND THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH MANY NEW CUSTOMERS"

"As a company that has participated in the fair since the first season, we found the opportunity to reach many new customers from various countries and gained a significant number of new clients. Normally, visitors came from neighboring countries, but this season we acquired new customers from countries like Canada and Australia, and there were also visitors to our booth from Middle Eastern and African countries. It was a productive fair for us.

The fair opened on the first day with our fashion show, and we received very positive feedback. Türkiye did not have such a fair until five years ago. IFCO was initiated under the leadership of İHKİB (Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association). For a fair to be successful, not only the date but also the preparations, collections, and prices of the participants must be properly planned. In our opinion, IFCO is now a fair that foreign buyers eagerly anticipate."

Sedat Yıldırım, İKOLL, said:

"THE ORGANIZATION IS EXTREMELY GOOD"

"The fair went well for us. We mostly connected with buyers from countries like Palestine and Jordan. The sector is going through a challenging period globally, and we are having difficulty setting prices. In such a time, we can reach buyers thanks to the IFCO Fair. We have been participating in the fair from the very beginning and gained many new customers in the early years as well. The fair, which brings the Turkish Ready-Made Clothing sector together under one roof, holds great importance for the industry. However, unfortunately, since we are going through a tough period, the impact of the fair can sometimes be limited. We want to meet with a greater number of qualified buyers. IFCO is a fair that receives a lot of effort in terms of organization and is extremely well done. The fact that such an organization is held in our country is also very valuable."

Birol Fırat, Eurofashion, said:

"OUR FAIR IS PROGRESSING WITH EACH SEASON"

"We have been participating in IFCO since the first season. Global economic difficulties, the country's economy, and inflation naturally affect the fair. Usually, February fairs were lively and August fairs were slow, but this season went quite well. We especially connected with buyers from Kazakhstan and Russia. It was a productive fair that met our expectations.

IFCO is like our own child; our state-supported fair is progressing more and more with each season. No season falls behind the previous one. Of course, there are things that need to be done, but that will happen over time. New participants and new buyers are increasing. In our opinion, IFCO will turn into a world-class fair in 3-4 seasons."

Yasemin Sarpkaya, Mimya, said:

"IFCO IS A VERY IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SECTOR"

"The IFCO Fair is truly very valuable for us. I see IFCO as one of the dynamos of the sector. It is a very important organization that brings the sector together, guides it, and showcases Türkiye's production power internationally. In this sense, it is a very important opportunity for our sector.

However, there are some points that need to be emphasized for the fair to develop further. The primary one is increasing the number of qualified buyers. Additionally, I believe there are areas that need improvement both in terms of some participants' preparations and on the organizational side. All these will further increase IFCO's international prestige. I believe that with these improvements, IFCO will become a much more qualified, professional, and internationally stronger fair."

Mustafa Emrah Uykız, Koza Denim, said:

"THE FACT THAT THE FAIR IS STATE-SUPPORTED IS ALSO AN ADVANTAGE FOR US"

"IFCO is generally quiet during the August seasons. As a company that has been participating in the fair for about eight seasons, we think IFCO is a strong organization that adds vision and enables companies that do forward-looking work to develop themselves. However, the qualifications and numbers of incoming buyers could be increased.

During the fair, we connected with buyers from EU countries like Germany and Poland, as well as from Russia. We are very pleased that a fair like IFCO is organized in Istanbul. Having it twice a year keeps us dynamic in terms of developing ourselves and continuously working on innovative models and collections. We acquire many new customers thanks to the fair. The organization and fashion shows contribute to us. The fact that the fair is state-supported is also an advantage for us."

Nezahat Aksoy, Cebir Tekstil, said:

"WE MADE IMPORTANT MEETINGS AND ARE AWAITING THE RESULTS"

"There was intense interest in the section where we were located at the fair; we made important meetings within the scope of bilateral relations and are awaiting the results. Our booth was quite busy. We connected with buyers from countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Belgium, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belarus, Moldova, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The incoming buyers were generally professionals who knew their business.

Usually, Turkish companies do not invite their own customers to the fair for competition. But we didn't do that; we invited our customers, and I think if all companies did this, activity would increase. We have been participating in IFCO for about three years, and we will decide on participation for the next season based on the results of this new period. The fair was extremely successful in terms of organization; the colors, booths, and architecture were very well prepared."

Mustafa Selçuk, Moongirl, said:

"IFCO ENERGIZES THE ENTIRE TEXTILE MARKET IN TÜRKİYE"

"We connected with many foreign buyers at the IFCO Fair. The fair was quite successful in terms of organization; the halls and booths were well designed, and strong advertising was done. We connected with buyers from countries like Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan, and there were also visitors from Europe. As LINEXPO, we have been organizing fairs for 14 years; winter fairs are more productive. However, even so, IFCO achieves the best under the current global conditions.

At a time when not only the textile sector but also fair trends are trending downwards worldwide, organizing a fair like IFCO in the summer month of August is a great achievement. IFCO is a fair that energizes the entire textile market in Türkiye. In this sense, I congratulate İHKİB. Hopefully, we will continue to build on this success."