Istanbul Fashion Week may be new, but it’s not lacking for bold faced names in the front row.
Pat Field is a fixture, which makes sense, since Istanbul Fashion Week’s press kit says she “aims to introduce the Turkish brands and designers to the world and to turn Istanbul into an effective fashion center.” It’s a tall order, but if anyone can make Istanbul happen, it’s Pat Field. The vibrant colors and energy of Istanbul are right up her alley.
In addition to Field, fashion stars abound. Anna Piaggi is here, and she gets a deserved applause when she enters the venue. So is ELLE’s Kate Lanphear, Lynn Yaeger, Alexandra Richards and Olivier Zahm (with daughter in tow). Alek Wek has also been spotted. And according to twitter, LOVE covergirl Alessandra Ambrosio just touched down at Ataturk Airport hours ago, where she was surprised to find paps waiting for her at immigration.
Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis and Culture & Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay attended the inauguration of an exhibition within the scope of Istanbul Fashion Week 2010.
“Istanbul Contrast” -a clothing exhibition by Dice Kayek- was opened at Istanbul Modern.
The exhibition was firstly displayed within the scope of activities in “Paris Fashion Week” and “Season of Turkey in France”. The exhibition shows modern face of the history of Istanbul and cultural values created by contrasts in the city with 26 different designs. Each cloth represents a different face of Istanbul. Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) 2010 began on Wednesday within the scope of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Program. The Week was organized by Fashion Designers Association, United Brands Association and Istanbul Fashion Academy.
Between August 25-28, IFW will host fashion shows of renowned brands as well as the designers’ individual and mixed fashion shows. Designers Bahar Korcan, Arzu Kaprol, Ozlem Suer, Hatice Gokce, Mehtap Elaidi, Gamze Saracoglu, Deniz Mercan, Atil Kutoglu, Ozgur Masur, Simay Bulbul, Ozlem Kaya, Gunseli Turkay, and Bora Aksu will hold individual fashion shows during the IFW 2010.
Istanbul’s biggest fashion event, IFW is organized by the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporter Associations, or ITKIB, with the support of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, the cooperation of Fashion Designers Association, or MTD, and the United Brands Association, BMD. The aim of all the events, which take place in IFW, provides a perfect example of how many interesting and exciting things are happening in terms of fashion in the city.
Another aim is to transform Istanbul into one of the most inspiring fashion capitals in the world along with New York, London and Milan. The goal is to increase the visibility of Turkish fashion designers in the region and in the local market and to contribute to the national image, creating new potential for textile exports.
The Collection Premiere Istanbul, or CPI, fashion fair will also allow visitors to see exciting developments in the fashion world of Istanbul. The designer section, on the other hand, continues to attract worldwide fashion professionals’ attention. Organized with the mission of strengthening Turkey’s fashion, design and textile sector and marketing Turkey’s designers and fashion brands to the world markets in an effort to create new markets, the IFW also contributes to the national brand positioning of our brands and strengthens the image of the brands. In this respect, IFW will be organized for the third time in August in line with the World Fashion Week’s calendar and understanding. Consequently, from design and production to retail, our country’s whole textile and fashion industry will once again unite with all the movers and shakers on one platform.
Such fashion events are crucial for the city and aim to make Istanbul, the core of emotion, passion, excitement and creativity, a meeting point where the Eastern commitment to original roots combines with the development-oriented approach of the West.