Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ in cooperation with the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association (EGSD), IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – the 19th Bridal Gown, Groom Suit and Eveningwear Fair – once again concluded with strong interest from both domestic and international industry representatives. For three days, fashion, trade and design came together under one roof.

Held on January 20–22 by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the fair welcomed a total of 12,310 professional visitors, including 9,865 domestic visitors from across Türkiye and 2,445 international visitors from 71 countries. Buyers from various Turkish cities as well as from the United States, Germany, Belgium, France, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Egypt and many other countries examined the new season collections in İzmir and held commercial meetings.
Fashion shows organized as part of IF Wedding Fashion İzmir showcased the 2026 and 2027 season bridal, groom suit and eveningwear collections to industry professionals. The participating companies’ new season designs were presented on the runway by renowned models, accompanied by professional choreography, stage production and lighting design.

One of the fair’s key events, the 16th Bridal Design Competition, received 206 design submissions from 103 designers this year. Fifteen finalists had the opportunity to present their creations on the fair’s runway. Nihan Selin Paksoy won first prize. In addition, last year’s winner, Öztürk Yıkılmaz, staged a performance fashion show under his own name, presenting his designs to sector professionals.
 

İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu emphasized that beyond its commercial contributions, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir continues to be a key meeting point shaping the sector’s development thanks to its international visitor profile, runway shows and support for young designers.
“It was a very rewarding process for us. We hosted thousands of participants and visitors from both Türkiye and abroad. At the 19th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir, we presented both the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Together with manufacturers, designers, fashion creators and retailers, we experienced three highly productive days. The strong interest clearly demonstrated the fair’s sectoral impact,” she said.
Cumalıoğlu added, “Our main motivation is to ensure that this strong interest translates into trade. Immediately after the fair, we are beginning preparations for the 20th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir. This organization is the result of a year-long effort by all stakeholders. We see that IF Wedding Fashion İzmir provides a highly productive commercial and professional platform for our participants and visitors.”
 

EGSD Board Chairman Yasin Akçakaya underlined the strategic importance of the fair for the industry:
“This fair is a highly important organization that revitalizes and sustains the sector. Over the years, it has consistently shown growth. Like many events worldwide, it was unfortunately affected by the pandemic period, yet it has maintained both participant and visitor numbers. This year, I observed a very high number of domestic and international professional visitors. There were visitors from Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Satisfaction levels are high. Buyers from the United States, Germany, Italy and Arab countries showed significant interest. In such an environment, bringing buyers to fairs, generating trade and creating added value are extremely important for our country’s exports and development.”
 

Erdoğan Kulu, President of the Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center Association and Chairman of Jamila Giyim, said the fair’s contribution to the sector was felt even more strongly this year. He noted significant momentum in terms of international participants and buyers, adding that sales to the Middle East and Europe were stronger compared to previous years.
Kulu emphasized their close cooperation with İZFAŞ and stated, “I believe this collaboration will carry the fair to a much more prestigious level in the coming years. If IF Wedding Fashion İzmir continues taking the right steps, it has the potential to rank much higher among similar fairs in Europe.”
 

Şenol Günbeyi of Günbeyi Group, a second-generation representative in the sector, stated that they have been active in the industry since 1990 and participated this year with four companies. Expressing great satisfaction, he highlighted the higher volume of foreign customers compared to previous years:
“It was very productive for us commercially. Approximately 90 percent of our visitors left with orders, which is a very important outcome. We also showcased our 2026–2027 collections on the runway with Türkiye’s leading models and received very positive feedback. We have already started working on fabric varieties and new designs for the next fair.”
Vlora Neziri of Vlora & Kaltrina from Kosovo, attending for the first time, emphasized the professionalism of the organization:
“This is my first time participating in IF Wedding Fashion İzmir. Honestly, I am very happy and satisfied. I have attended many fairs in Europe, and when I compare them, this fair is truly very professional. In terms of business, I encountered a customer capacity beyond my expectations and signed contracts. I had the opportunity to meet major companies, especially from the Middle East and Europe.”
Inna Zderchuk, representative of Sapphire Couture Company from Ukraine, said she had visited the fair five years ago as a visitor and had been impressed. “I had long wanted to participate as an exhibitor. Today, I am very happy to be here as a participant. I found the fair extremely successful. Visitors came from many countries around the world, and I established numerous business connections.”
Walone Osmani of Walone Fashion Group stated that this was their fourth participation and that each year they leave İzmir with new customers and new agreements.

Diğer Haberler

Tüm Haberleri Gör