From the Sector

Vom 20. bis 22. August 2025 startet die İstanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO) ihre achte Ausgabe und bringt als größte Bekleidungs- und Modemesse Europas die internationale Modewelt in der türkischen Metropole zusammen. 

Veranstaltet von İTKİB Fairs Inc., einer Tochtergesellschaft der Istanbul ApparelExporters’ Association (İHKİB), präsentiert sich IFCO als zukunftsorientierte Plattform für kreative Kollektionen, technologische Innovationen und internationale Geschäftsanbahnung im Istanbul Expo Center.  

Im Februar verzeichnete die 7. IFCO-Ausgabe mit 513 Ausstellern, 33.788 Fachbesuchern aus über 150 Ländern in acht prall Messehallen einen neuen Rekord. Die Messe überzeugte erneut durch ihre Kombination aus Designkompetenz, Innovationskraft und strategischem Business-Networking – ein Konzept, das sie auch im August fortführen und ausbauen will. Zur kommenden Veranstaltung werden über 300 Aussteller aus allen Fashion-Bereichen erwartet.  
 
Highlights der IFCO 2025 – August Edition: 
THE CORE ISTANBUL – Über 20 türkische Designer präsentieren ihre neuesten Kollektionen und bieten internationalen Einkäufern einzigartige Einblicke in die kreative Vielfalt und Innovationskraft des Landes. 

IFCO Fashion Show – Spektakuläre Runway-Inszenierungen zeigen zukunftsweisende Kollektionen und spiegeln die sich wandelnde Dynamik der Modewelt wider. 

Fachseminare & Trendanalysen – Experten von u.a. WGSN geben Impulse zu den Makrotrends der Saison Frühjahr/Sommer 2026, darunter Farbwelten, Key Pieces und kommerzielle Erfolgsprodukte. 

Digital & Green Transformation – Mit Projekten wie METAMORPHOSIS, im Rahmen des EU-Programm IPA-II, treibt İHKİB die digitale und nachhaltige Transformation der türkischen Modeindustrie voran. Die neusten Entwicklungen werden auf der IFCO vorgestellt. Die türkische Textilindustrie reagiert damit auf die zunehmenden Anforderungen der Europäischen Union hinsichtlich nachhaltiger Produktion. Insbesondere die CO₂-Fußabdruck-Vorschriften der EU ermutigen türkische Hersteller, in umweltfreundliche Produktionsprozesse zu investieren. Bio-Baumwollproduktion, recycelte Textilien und wassersparende Technologien werden in der Branche immer häufiger eingesetzt.  

Zusätzlich setzen türkische Unternehmen verstärkt auf Digitalisierung und technologische Innovationen, um ihre Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu steigern. Intelligente Textiltechnologien, durch künstliche Intelligenz unterstützte Produktionssysteme und Automatisierung tragen dazu bei, Kosten zu senken und Produktionsprozesse zu beschleunigen.  

Die türkische Modeindustrie positioniert sich somit nicht nur als bedeutender Lieferant für Europa, sondern auch als Vorreiter in nachhaltiger und innovativer Textilproduktion. Mit ihrer strategischen Lage, kurzen Lieferzeiten und dem Fokus auf Qualität und Nachhaltigkeit bleibt die Türkei ein attraktiver Partner für europäische Modeunternehmen. 

CHIC 2025 (September) will open its doors at the National Convention and Exhibition Centre in Shanghai from 2 to 4 September 2025. As the most important trade fair platform for the apparel industry in China, the event will once again bring together leading fashion companies and brands along the entire textile value chain with professional buyers from home and abroad. The focus is on innovative product presentations, precise business matchmaking and the development of dynamic future markets - this time under the motto ‘Fashion Picnic in Autumn’ in a relaxed atmosphere. More than 800 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors are once again expected to attend the autumn event on more than 50,000 sqm at the National Exhibition& Convention Center in Shanghai showcasing Spring / Summer collections 2026 of the entire fashion range: womenswear, menswear, kids wear, accessories / shoes / bags collections.

Structured trade fair concept with nine clear theme areas
With nine curated exhibition areas, CHIC 2025 (September) offers a comprehensive overview of current trends and developments in the fashion industry in the North Entrance Hall, Hall 2.1 and 3 of the National Exhibition & Convention Center Shanghai: CHIC SELECTED (market leader with a focus on quality and innovation), CHIC Impulses (designer), Denim World, Sports Outdoor, Tailoring Journey, Fashion Tech, The Wardrobe, Unique Specialties, and Accessories/Footwear/Bags.

Efficient matchmaking and focusing on new markets
As an established platform for business initiation and trade, CHIC held over 1,000 matchmaking sessions and successfully networked more than 600,000 trade visitors till today. The spring 2025 edition attracted 165,000 trade buyers, 55% of whom were at CHIC for the first time. In autumn, the trade fair will once again hold targeted matchmaking meetings for various channels and markets and tap into new buyer potential.

Organized by İTKİB FuarcılıkA.Ş. in collaboration with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), Texhibition Istanbul 2025 once again proved itself as one of the leading international trade fairs for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. From March 5–7, 2025, the Istanbul Expo Center transformed into a dynamic meeting point for textile professionals worldwide presenting for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. More than 500 exhibitors presented their latest collections and technologies, 22.623 visitors from 106 countries—spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia—seized the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore new business opportunities. European visitors have increased by 30 % compared to September 2024.

The denim sector established itself on its own stage in the Blue-Black Denim Hall 7,
Workshops, creative installations, and fashion presentations, such as the Blue Black Denim Show, made this section one of the most vibrant areas of the fair. Artistic and innovative denim collections showcased the latest developments in the denim industry, including metallic-shimmering fabrics and vintage-reworked denim.
Since the introduction of this segment, Texhibition Istanbul has recorded a significant increase in visitors from the EU, while demand for Turkish denim fabrics has grown considerably.

A central theme at Texhibition Istanbul 2025 was the sustainable transformation of the Turkish textile industry. More and more companies are embracing eco-friendly processes, energy-efficient production methods, and innovative recycling solutions.

Türkiye’s textile and apparel sector is a global leader with an export volume of $32.1 billion. Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat emphasized that Türkiye is among the world's top six textile exporters and the EU’s third-largest supplier. Texhibition Istanbul strengthens the industry by showcasing innovation and design expertise on a global scale. In response to rising costs and global competition, Türkiye successfully focuses on sustainability, technology, and market differentiation.

The sixth edition of Texhibition Istanbul from 11 to 13 September 2024 will once again bring together all components of the textile industry and offer an overview of all product groups in the textile preliminary stage: from woven goods to knitwear, from yarns and denim to artificial leather and textile accessories.

Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair, organised by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), is following on from this year's March event with the upcoming edition.

Highlights:

• Over 500 exhibitors will be presenting a wide range of products such as woven fabrics, knitwear, denim, accessories, artificial leather and yarns covering 35,000 square metres
• Over 25,000 trade visitors are expected from more than 100 countries, including the European Union, Great Britain, the USA, North Africa and the Middle East
• Yarn Hall completes the range of the preliminary stage and has firmly established itself at Texhibition with 41 exhibitors
• BlueBlackDenim showcases Türkiye's leading 25 denim manufacturers and inspires with creative denim installations
• Texhibition Trend Areas: The trend areas are created by combination of quality and creative themes of fabrics, yarns, denims and accessory products from the participants
• Texhibition Art Events: digital art, accessoires and yarn installations

• 300 exhibitors from all fashion sectors in clearly structured areas in four halls
• More than 30,000 visitors from over 100 countries are expected
• Set event: B2B meetings in speed dating mode - intensive networking support between fashion brands and buyers arranged by IFCO
• THE CORE once again inspires with collections by established and young designers
• IMA Trend Area with the theme ‘’Asencion SS/26’’ showcases innovations and trends reflecting the significance and influence of the current moment, perception of the now, uniqueness of cultural backgrounds, consideration of the reality revealed through new developments and their adaptation
• WGSN informs on the latest international fashion trends, fashion industry experts discuss recent innovations in the fashion on the occasion of IFCO Talk
• IFCO Shows inspire the fashion world with latest trends and designs

More than 30,000 visitors from over 100 countries are expected to attend the sixth edition of IFCO, Istanbul Fashion Connection with 300 exhibitors at Europe's largest fashion trade fair from 7 to 9 August 2024.

In 4 halls covering 30,000 sqm top designers and brands will present the latest fashion trends in womenswear, menswear, kidswear, denim, activewear and shoes in clearly divided product areas.

THE CORE, the exclusive designer area of the trade fair, has already creatively staged the Turkish design talents at previous editions of the fair. Over 20 designers will present their latest creations in hall 7, such as Arzu KAPROL, Meltem ÖZBEK, or Tuba ERGİN, who are represented internationally.

Market leaders and retail brands such as Naramaxx, B&G Store, Kayra, Jakamen, Giotelli, Armine, NCS, 7Camicie will use IFCO as a global platform to network with international industry leaders and expand their customer contacts, presenting their individual stand designs.

Programme
The co-operation with the renowned Fashion Designer's Association MTD for the IFCO Trend Area will be continued with this time's theme Ascension SS 26 creatively designed by IMA Istanbul Moda Akademisi. Through the power of the present moment and the conscious experience of the moment, the emphasis is placed on cultural identities. At the same time, the scrutinised reality that is revealed in the process of adapting to new developments is taken into account. The works created by the industry with this design language reflect this dynamic.

WGSN informs on the latest international fashion trends and developments for A/W 25/26. Next to this trend seminar fashion industry experts discuss recent innovations in digital art and fashion, new opportunities in fashion exports as well as the new face of Turkish fashion. A panel discussion is dedicated to the topic of denim and focuses on pioneering solutions for the new century in the denim industry.

• Pitti Uomo and CHIC cooperate at the upcoming event in Florence from 11 to 14 June 2024 and present high fashion design from China under the roof of CHINA WAVE

From 11 to 14 June 2024, eight contemporary high class designer brands from China will present themselves for the first time at the leading menswear and lifestyle event Pitti Immagine Uomo at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, on 264 square metres under the umbrella of CHIC, China International Fashion Fair.

CHINA WAVE, born from the partnership between Pitti Uomo and China National Garment Association, is a collection of China's designer labels showcasing their design expertise in Florence.The line-up includes VALLEYOUTH, KB HONG BY K-BOXING, RAXXY, JDV, FENGGY, BLACKHEAD, KEYONE BY HATTERSHUB, TYPETAIL.

Around 500 exhibitors with international participation from Europe and Asia are expected at the next CHIC from 27 to 29 August in Shanghai. CHIC - China International Fashion Fair is organised by the China National Garment Association in cooperation with the China World Exhibition.

With over 400 exhibitors, the fourth Istanbul Fashion Connection event from August 9-11, 2023, at the Istanbul Expo Center on 35,000 sqm was again successful.

With over 20,000 visitors from more than 125 countries, IFCO recorded an increase in visitors of over 30% compared to August last year. International visitors more than doubled, with the largest visitor groups coming from Asia and the Middle East at 33% each, Europe at 17%, Africa 11% and the Americas at 6%.

All retail channels were represented at the show, from large shopping mall and department store groups to wholesalers, international retail chains, multi-brand boutiques and online platforms.

Exhibitors
In six clearly segmented halls, more than 400 brands presented themselves on 35,000 sqm from womenswear, menswear, kidswear sportswear, denim, leather and fur.

The Core Istanbul
For the second time, the exclusive design area The Core Istanbul, originally launched as part of Istanbul Fashion Week, presented itself at IFCO. Among others, Arzu Kaprol, Ceren Ocak, Çiğdem Akın, Essin Barış, Ezgi Karayel, Fulyaİlkmen - F.ILKK, Mehmet Emiroğlu, Meltem Özbek, Mert Erkan, Merve Ulu - Kuela, Murat Aytulum, Nejla Güvenç - Nej, Özlem Erkan, Selin Küçüksöz, Tuba Ergin joined the show. Menswear was also represented with Emre Erdemoğlu, Seydullah Yılmaz - SYHZ Wear and Yakup Biçer - Y Plus.

The Exclusive Area
Leading Turkish retail brands, already internationally active, showed in The Exclusive Area such as B&G Store, Climber BC, Damat, Giovane Gentile, Hatemoğlu, Ipekyol, Kayra, Kiğılı, Lee Cooper, Lufian, Jakamen, Naramaxx and convinced with their high quality, sustainable and fashionable products, which were in great demand among international buyers. Jakamen opened the IFCO Shows on the first day of the fair with its latest spring / summer collection for 2024.

FashionIst
With its own catwalk, the occasion fashion section FashionIst for women and men featured thirty leading brands and showed a cross-section of the latest designs in evening fashion with their innovative colors and dynamic styles. Daily fashion shows informed visitors about the latest trends.

B2B Match Making
The B2B Match Making at IFCO took place in speed dating mode and was well received. Exhibitors were efficiently networked with buyers from all over the world such as Inditex from Spain, Walmart, Quicksilver, Teddy Fresh or Wilbo from the USA, Sainsbury's from the UK, Cihuah from Mexico, the Apparel Group and Safari Group from the United Arab Emirates, Ria Miranda from Indonesia, Hi Style and Zalora from Malaysia, Musinsa from South Korea, Ackermans from South Africa etc.

IFCO February 2024
For the next date of IFCO (7.-10. February, 2024), the organizers expect more than 600 companies. The participation of international fashion companies is to be expanded, for which IFCO provides the ideal springboard into the European and Asian markets.

• March 16-18, 2022, Istanbul Expo Center
• Successful start of Texhibition, Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair with over 10,000 visitors from 63 countries
• More than 160 exhibitors presented fabrics, yarns and accessories on approx. 5,000 square meters in the Istanbul Expo Center
• Intensive order activity in a professional trade fair atmosphere of over 1billion US$
• The organizer's objective: to double the area and number of exhibitors for the second event in September

With over 10,000 visitors, the premiere event of Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair, organized by the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association (ITHIB) and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) from March 16th to 18th, 2022 has successfully started.

İTHİB President Ahmet Öksüz: "Our exhibition platforms Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair and IFCO, Istanbul Fashion Connection, which was launched by our sister association IHKIB in February, play an important role in making Istanbul the fashion center of the Turkish textile and clothing industry. For the follow-up event to Texhibition in September this year, we expect the number of exhibitors and space to double."

The consistently positive feedback from the exhibitors underscores this expectation, as does the great interest shown by international visitors, including those from Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.

The Turkish textile industry started with an export target of US$ 15 billion in 2022. The exhibition organizers assume that their platforms will contribute US$ 1 billion. Turkey is one of the most important procurement markets for the European textile industry and is becoming even more important in the course of the global supply chain problem and is now one of the top 3 most interesting procurement locations with its low prices, good quality products, reliable suppliers and short delivery times.

Exhibitors
On offer were high-quality and innovative fabrics from the weaving sector, including Kipaş Textiles, BTD Textile, Özdoku, Bossa and Yünsa; knitters like Gülle, Saka, Örkumod or İskur showed their current collections; yarn market leaders such as Korteks, Tepa and Gama were present, as were Şimşek Ege, EMR Zippers, Çağ-Tek and Öz-El Lastik for the accessories sector. A total of 166 exhibiting companies presented themselves in clearly structured segments in a professional trade fair atmosphere.

Frame program
In the Texhibition Forum, experts discussed the topics Sustainability, New Trends, Supply Chain and GMO-Free Cotton giving an outlook on the upcoming trends and developments in the Turkish textile industry. All events were heavily frequented by visitors.

Next Texhibition September 21-23, 2022

Istanbul Fashion Connection feiert Premiere: 300 Firmen und Marken präsentieren sich im Februar kommenden Jahres auf 30.000 qm im Istanbul Expo Center. Die Messe findet unter 2G-Regeln und Einhaltung strikter Hygienemaßnahmen statt.

Mit der Istanbul Fashion Connection lanciert die Istanbul Apparel Exporter's Association (IHKIB), Global Player unter den Exportverbänden und Interessenvertreter der türkischen Bekleidungs- und Textilindustrie, eine neue Plattform für die internationale Modebranche. Unter einem Dach wird die gesamte Palette der Bekleidungsindustrie präsentiert: Womenswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Denim. Show-in-Shows mit den Produktbereichen Lingerie und Strumpfwaren sowie Braut- und Abendmode komplettieren das Angebot.

Als halbjährliche Veranstaltung - der nächste Termin ist vom 24.-26. August 2022 - bietet Istanbul Fashion Connection einen Überblick über türkisches Design, Produktionsqualität und Serviceangebote der türkischen Modeindustrie.

Eine der größten Herausforderungen für Industrie und Handel in der Modeindustrie sind momentan nicht funktionierende Lieferketten, mit entsprechenden Konsequenzen für die Modebranche. Lieferstörungen werden zum größten Kostentreiber, wie eine aktuelle McKinsey-Studie zeigt. Nearshoring nimmt eine Schlüsselfunktion ein, Geschwindigkeit und Flexibilität in der Beschaffung sind zentrale Wettbewerbsfaktoren. Über 70% der befragten Sourcing-Verantwortlichen planen, bis 2025 ihren Einkauf aus nah gelegenen Ländern zu erhöhen. Die Türkei gehört hierbei zu einem der interessantesten Beschaffungsstandorte, sie ist zum ersten Mal in den Top 3. Das Land liegt strategisch günstig zwischen Europa und Asien und die Türkei ist Mitglied der EU-Zoll-Union.

Themen wie digitale Transformation, Smart Clothing, technische Textilien und Sustainability stehen im Fokus der Seminare und Workshops auf der Istanbul Fashion Connection. Trend Zonen und Modenschauen informieren über aktuelle Trends.

Für Besucher bietet IHKIB ein attraktives Einladungsprogramm inklusive Unterkunft und Transfer an.

Instead of taking place from August 25-27 as originally planned, Asia's leading trade fair for fashion and lifestyle will now be held from October 9-11, 2021 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The fair has been taking place physically again since July 2020, always in compliance with strict safety and hygiene regulations. Various digital platforms are being set up in parallel.

The around 500 brands registered for CHIC (August) will now present themselves to the trade visitors in autumn on 62,000 sqm, including important industry players such as JINTIANSHI (menswear), VINI Bespoke (menswear), Zaijiu (womenswear), Jiebeidi (womenswear), COFNA (childrenswear), Laura Vita (shoes), Hattershub (headwear), MANNYLONQ (CHIC-Young Blood) and Dragon Heart (CHIC-Young Blood) and exciting up-and-coming designers such as KIMUSSO, Yujiantian and Wuma.

The expected 60,000 visitors are also able to attend seminars and workshops on current topics such as Recognition and new opportunities of new retail in AI Fashion or 2021 Maker of Silk Road & Innovation of Design Infinity -- The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition of China Textile & Apparel SME.

Next events:
CHIC Shenzhen | 3rd-5th November 2021 | Shenzhen
CHIC March 22 | 9-11 March 2022 | Shanghai