Yasemin Dikerel, winner of last year’s 10th International Bridal Gown Design Competition, presented the first collection of her professional career within the scope of the 14th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir Fair. The 20-piece collection bearing Dikerel’s signature was met with a standing ovation from representatives of the fashion and design world as well as industry professionals.
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, organized by İZFAŞ in partnership with the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association (EGSD), the 14th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – Bridal Wear, Groom Wear and Eveningwear Fair concluded its impressive runway program with Yasemin Dikerel’s Performance Fashion Show. Since its inception, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir has contributed to both the sector and the national economy, and alongside its designs that shape global fashion, it has introduced yet another new designer to the industry. Holding her first professional runway show at the 14th edition of the fair, Dikerel appeared before the fashion and design world with a bold and striking collection.
Last year, among 375 designs submitted by 125 designers under the theme “Creativity in Simplicity,” the young designer won first place with her design titled “Hsi-Ling-Shi,” named after the Chinese Empress credited with discovering silk. This year, she presented her 20-piece collection titled “Lechuguilla,” offering the audience a true visual feast.
Attending the opening and presenting the award to the young designer, Mustafa Özuslu, Deputy Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, stated:
“She is very young, very brave, and very courageous… I am also very happy to present this award to her at her first collection runway show. The emergence of such young designers and fashion creators will greatly contribute to the growth of exhibitions and the textile industry in this country. I sincerely congratulate her.”
A plaque of appreciation was presented to Mehmet Bilgin, owner of Prenses Tekstil, the fabric sponsor of the fashion show. Bilgin said:
“Supporting projects like this is a special source of pride for us. The color harmony, ideas, and design are very successful. Our doors are always open to emerging designers who continue to develop themselves.”
Dikerel explained that the collection was completed in approximately two and a half to three months, saying:
“We worked day and night. If I were a mother giving birth, I think I would only experience such a process in that way. The pain and then the feeling afterward—that was probably the most beautiful emotion. Through this fashion show, I was able to make my voice heard. I wanted to touch on an issue that concerns not only me but the entire universe. When people leave here, I want them to understand what Lechuguilla is and why I chose to present such a collection. From now on, I would like to create projects with recycling elements again—creating completely new things from unused materials or clothes sitting unworn in our homes and closets.”
At a time when drought is a pressing global issue, Dikerel made a bold entry into the fashion world with her collection titled “Lechuguilla,” named after an underground cave located in New Mexico, USA. Known as one of the most difficult caves in the world to access, it never sees sunlight and is enriched solely by forms shaped by water—the only source of life within it. Through this collection, Dikerel offered a unique interpretation emphasizing the importance of water, the need for conservation, and water’s role as the most vital life-giving force in the universe.
Stating that she aimed to create a wearable art collection, Dikerel prepared a 20-piece eveningwear-focused collection specifically for the Performance Fashion Show.