IFCO Istanbul strengthens its position as an international business platform for the fashion industry

An International Business Platform in Istanbul

With 12,550 trade visitors from 117 countries, the tenth edition of Istanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO), held from 19 to 21 August 2026, once again demonstrated the international reach of Türkiye’s fashion and apparel industry. More than 200 exhibitors presented their collections, manufacturing expertise and sourcing solutions at the Istanbul Expo Center, meeting buyers, retailers, distributors and international buying groups from key sales and sourcing markets.

A total of 4,525 visitors, representing 36 percent of attendance, came from international markets. The Middle East accounted for the largest share of international visitors at 42.9 percent, followed by Europe at 21.4 percent, Asia at 19.8 percent and North Africa at 10.6 percent. A further 5.2 percent travelled from North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Oceania. Particularly strongly represented international markets included Russia, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Palestine, Iran, Tunisia, Algeria, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Libya and the United Arab Emirates.

IFCO thereby confirmed its role as an interface between Türkiye’s export-oriented apparel industry and international markets. The product offer ranged from womenswear, menswear and kidswear to denim, eveningwear, lingerie and hosiery, footwear, accessories and homewear. The combination of design expertise, a broad manufacturing infrastructure, flexibility and short lead times remains one of Türkiye’s key competitive advantages.

“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,” says Mustafa Paşahan, President of İHKİB. “This growing international reach demonstrates the strength of Türkiye’s fashion industry and Istanbul’s role as a global fashion and sourcing hub.”

As Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), highlights: “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.”

International Buyers: From Contacts to Concrete Business

International business was once again at the heart of IFCO. The Hosted Buyer Programme and structured B2B meetings brought exhibitors together with international buyers, retailers, department stores, online platforms and distributors.

Registered international buyers included Barcelino Continental, Fashion Concepts, Modacolor and Trendy Man from the USA; Distillery Clothing/Gotstyle, Influence U and Rhowan James from Canada; Boutiqaat Group, Elements by Meyci and Landmark Group from the United Arab Emirates; Alfa International – Harvey Nichols and Mark and Save from Saudi Arabia; as well as Father and Sons from France, Atelier X GmbH from Germany, Almanar International Group from Qatar, Union Trading from Kuwait and Moss Bros from the UK.

Numerous meetings went beyond initial contacts, resulting in concrete follow-ups, sample requests and order negotiations. IFCO thus underlined its ambition not only to facilitate international contacts but to turn them into long-term business relationships.

Exhibitors also drew a positive conclusion. “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,” says Emre Ayan, Design Director of Jakamen.

Adnan Canpolat, owner of Carmen, also sees the buyer profile continuing to develop: “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: Turkish Design with a Distinctive Signature

With THE CORE, IFCO put the creative side of the Turkish fashion industry firmly in the spotlight. The newly conceived design platform moved away from the traditional trade fair format and presented itself as a curated fashion installation, creating a deliberate contrast to conventional product presentations.

The platform brought together a diverse range of creative signatures in contemporary Turkish design – from precise tailoring and modern womenswear to experimental menswear, conceptual streetwear, street couture and gender-fluid approaches.

Participating designers and labels 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 and Murat Aytulum.

The diversity of creative approaches demonstrated how design, alongside manufacturing expertise and quality, is increasingly developing into a competitive advantage in its own right for the Turkish fashion industry.

Denim Reimagined

Another of Türkiye’s core strengths took centre stage in the new Denim Area. An almost fully integrated value chain – from fabric development and washing and finishing technologies to garment production – has established Türkiye as an internationally important location for high-quality denim manufacturing.

At IFCO, manufacturers including Catch, Koza Denim and 2Ypremium presented their latest collections alongside innovative washing and finishing technologies and more sustainable production solutions. The Denim Area demonstrated how long-standing manufacturing expertise can be combined with technological development and new design approaches.

A New Presence for Menswear

Menswear, traditionally one of the strongest categories within Türkiye’s apparel industry, was also given a new stage at IFCO. A redesigned exhibition concept put manufacturers and brands from classic tailoring, smart casual, knitwear, sportswear and contemporary tailoring more prominently in focus.

Companies including Kiğılı, Jakamen, NCS, İmza, Kadir Büyükkaya and Terzi Adem demonstrated the breadth of Turkish menswear and its combination of product quality, manufacturing expertise, flexibility and short lead times.

For Jakamen, international exchange proved particularly valuable, with the company reporting strong interest in its collection and new contacts, especially with buyers from Central Asia.

LINEXPO Expands the Sourcing Offer

LINEXPO also returned under the IFCO umbrella with a selected group of exhibitors. In Hall 8, companies specialising in lingerie, hosiery, swimwear, seamless technologies, loungewear and accessories presented their latest collections.

Exhibitors including Sevim Innerwear/Lingerie, Siyah İnci, İpek Tenim and Artış Collection met buyers specifically interested in these product categories. Ümit Taş, Sales Manager at Artış Collection, sees clear benefits from the integration: “IFCO was well organised and efficient. Integrating LINEXPO into the fair added significant value for both visitors and exhibitors.”

RESONATE AW 2027/28: Fashion Between Balance and Change

The Trend Area, curated by the Istanbul Fashion Academy (IMA), explored how social change is influencing consumption, design and product development. Under the title RESONATE AW 2027/28, it highlighted the key macro trends for womenswear and menswear for the Autumn/Winter 2027/28 season.

The starting point is an increasingly fast-paced and digital world shaped by economic and environmental uncertainty. As a counter-movement, the desire for balance, comfort, stability and emotional quality is growing. Fashion is becoming less defined by short-lived effects and more by tactility, functionality, longevity and personal meaning.

Four trend worlds translated these developments into concrete design directions: ATTUNE stands for inner balance, soft tailoring, sensory materials and reduced silhouettes. ECHOFORM connects past and present, reinterpreting heritage, craftsmanship and familiar forms. SYNC MODE responds to flexible lifestyles and the increasing convergence of the digital and physical worlds with modular, transformable and functional designs. PULSE PLAY brings energy and expression back into the season through colour, playful proportions and experimental styling.

Sustainability, Digitalisation and AI

Beyond the collections, IFCO once again served as a platform for knowledge transfer and industry dialogue. Seminars, panels and expert talks addressed key developments transforming the international fashion industry – from sustainability and new consumption models to export financing, international markets and the digital transformation of the entire textile and apparel value chain.

Artificial intelligence and its growing relevance for design, production, marketing and international business models formed a particular focus. Discussions also addressed topics including the European Green Deal, the Digital Product Passport, traceability, certification and resource-efficient manufacturing processes.

The supporting programme thus connected creative and technological developments with the economic challenges currently facing the industry.

Fashion Shows: Design Meets Craftsmanship

Fashion shows held over two days complemented the programme, presenting current collections from brands including FIMKA, Terzi Adem Altun and Quesste Maxra. Alongside seasonal looks, the shows highlighted design identity, craftsmanship and the stories behind the collections.

By combining the exhibition with fashion presentations, knowledge transfer and targeted networking, IFCO once again positioned itself as a multidimensional industry platform extending well beyond traditional sourcing.

Sourceist: New Sourcing Platform to Launch in 2027

During the August edition, İHKİB also announced Sourceist, a new format dedicated to international sourcing business. The event is scheduled to take place for the first time on 4–5 February 2027, bringing international brands and buying groups together with high-capacity Turkish manufacturers.

Curated contacts and targeted B2B matchmaking will be at the heart of the new format. Sourceist will add an even more project-focused sourcing platform to IFCO’s commercial network, underlining the Turkish apparel industry’s ambition to further strengthen its international market position through long-term partnerships.

IFCO Moves to September from 2027

IFCO is also adjusting its schedule. From 2027, the second edition of the year will move from August to September. The change responds to industry requirements and international sourcing and buying calendars, with the aim of aligning the fair more closely with the planning cycles of international buying groups and creating even better conditions for efficient fair visits and concrete business outcomes.

With its tenth edition, IFCO demonstrated Istanbul’s role as an interface between design, production and international markets. In a challenging global environment, the fair connects the industrial strength of Türkiye’s apparel sector with design, innovation and targeted international business – creating a platform for new partnerships and future growth.

Exhibitors’ Statements

MURAT ATALAN; CEREMONY TEKSTİL; "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.

BARIŞ KÖSELİÖREN; FIMKA; "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 YILDIRIM; İKOLL; "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.

BİROL FIRAT; EUROFASHION; "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.

YASEMİN SARPKAYA; MİMYA; "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 UYKIZ; KOZA DENIM; "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; CEBİR TEKSTİL; "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,mMoldova, 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; "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.

Next Dates

• IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection: 3–6 February 2027
• Sourceist: 4–5 February 2027
• IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection: 8–11 September 2027
• Texhibition Istanbul: 9–11 September 2026
• Texhibition Istanbul: 3–5 March 2027