The ninth edition of IFCO-Istanbul Fashion Connection hosted around 450 exhibitors across six halls, with 29,746 professional visitors from over 134 countries, underlining its role as an important international fashion business platform connecting design, production, and trade. The trade visitors originated from countries such as Algeria, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the UK, the USA, and the United Arab Emirates at the Istanbul Expo Centre.

“The global apparel industry is undergoing a period of transformation shaped by evolving market dynamics and changing demand patterns. Within this landscape, the Turkish apparel industry stands out with its strong design capabilities and solid production infrastructure. Well-positioned to respond to these dynamics, the industry continues to move forward with confidence and adaptability. IFCO reflects this strength by bringing together creativity, production expertise, and international business, demonstrating that the Turkish apparel industry is not only adapting to current conditions but actively shaping its future,” said Mustafa Paşahan, president of IFCO, vice chairman of İHKİB.

Despite ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges, the Turkish apparel industry once again demonstrated its resilience and strategic importance in 2025. Türkiye’s apparel and textile exports reached USD 26.2 billion, with apparel accounting for USD 16.8 billion and remaining the country’s fourth-largest export sector. Amid a year-on-year decline, Türkiye maintained its position as the world’s seventh-largest apparel exporter and the EU’s third-largest supplier, with 60.6% of apparel exports directed to the European market.

This structural strength was clearly reflected across IFCO’s core segments. Womenswear formed the backbone of IFCO’s main halls as well as the Brands Area alongside the menswear presence and fashionist, IFCO’s dedicated platform for eveningwear and occasionwear, the Kids category, and the debut of Linexpo.

The Core Istanbul once again stood out as the creative centerpiece of the fair, presenting a curated selection of 22 leading Turkish designers. Established and internationally recognised names such as Özlem Süer, Mehtap Elaidi, Emre Erdemoğlu, and Ceren Ocak, alongside emerging talents, showcased collections that combined creative vision with commercial relevance.

The supporting programme once again added significant value to the exhibition. In cooperation with the Istanbul Fashion Academy (IMA), the seminar and trend programme provided forward-looking insights into Spring/Summer 2027/28, sustainable growth strategies, digital transformation, and the application of artificial intelligence in the fashion industry.

The IFCO Fashion Shows took place over two dynamic days, presenting a curated selection of collections from brands such as Alissa, Carmen, De White’s, Maxra Govanna, Puane, that showcased both established and emerging design voices. The shows were designed to highlight not only seasonal aesthetics but also the stories behind the garments, honoring craftsmanship, cultural influences, and individual expression.

Next dates:
IFCO - Istanbul Fashion Connection
August 19 - 21, 2026
Texhibition Istanbul
March 4 - 6, 2026
September 9 - 11, 2026