The leading fair of the fashion industry, 14th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir, is hosting panel discussions that shape the ready-to-wear and textile sectors. The first of these panels, titled “Is Sustainable Fashion Possible in Türkiye?”, brought together leading experts from the industry. Sector representatives agreed that Türkiye has the potential to become a brand country in sustainable fashion.
Organized by İZFAŞ with the partnership of the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association (EGSD) and hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir continues at full pace with colorful fashion shows, B2B meetings, and events that guide design and fashion. In addition to fashion and trade, the panel discussions—bringing together fair visitors, exhibitors, young designers, academics, and industry experts—address key topics that will shape the future of the sector.
The first panel, “Is Sustainable Fashion Possible in Türkiye?”, was moderated by Mukadder Özden, Vice President of the Fashion and Ready-to-Wear Federation. Experts who have led significant initiatives in fashion, ready-to-wear, and apparel in İzmir and across Türkiye emphasized that the country must continue to move forward decisively on the path to sustainability. They also noted that beyond product quality, one of the main reasons European countries prefer Türkiye is its adoption of a sustainable fashion mindset.
EU doors may open to Türkiye
Mukaddes Başkaya, Vice Chair of the Board of the Apparel and Export Development Association, who closely monitors the sector worldwide, underlined that sustainability is a strategic commercial approach. She stated:
“Sustainability means having the capacity and strength to produce ecologically, economically, and ethically. We no longer have the chance to work with companies that do not embrace this. Europe is moving toward the Green Deal and aims to lead the world by 2050 with a ‘zero carbon’ vision. This means they will not work with any country that is not sustainable. Türkiye is very valuable for these countries. If we address sustainability seriously and swiftly, we may even open the doors to the European Union. We need to produce value-added products, export them, and build brands—and our brands must also be sustainable. I know production conditions in India, Pakistan, and China. Our speed, capabilities, production quality, service, and support are very different. While South Africa had not sourced from us for years, we presented them with sustainable products for the first time and purchases resumed. This issue needs to become a state policy. But it must be said clearly: companies focused solely on price will not survive in the coming years.”
The production chain must be made sustainable
Stating that they apply sustainability at every stage of design and production, Yasemin Yalçınkaya, General Manager of MQ Retail Türkiye, said:
“I believe Türkiye’s textile sector is in a very strong position. Sustainability is not only about what is inside the product; it’s about where the product comes from—from design to production. For example, we do not use air freight for logistics, because the less carbon we emit, the better. We try not to package each product individually, avoid paper between items, and evaluate which materials we can reduce. This is not just about materials—it’s a mindset. Being able to work with the same supplier for 10 years is also a sign of sustainability, as it increases efficiency. We are achieving this in Türkiye today. Working with local partners in production and distribution is very important. Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution. In fact, the entire chain—from design until the product reaches the store—must be evaluated. Using organic cotton alone is not enough; sustainability must become a way of life.”
“The fair improved bridal wear, developed it, and increased exports”
Hüseyin Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of the Fashion and Ready-to-Wear Federation, spoke about IF Wedding Fashion İzmir’s contribution to sustainable fashion:
“Sustainability means quality of life and social benefit. The way to achieve social benefit is to act together. We need to create a structure that connects the grassroots with leadership, and first ensure the sustainability of collaboration. Today, we have a fair that has been running for 14 years and an entire sector built around it. When we look at its impact, the fair first improved bridal wear in this city, then developed it, and finally integrated it with the world—boosting exports. Companies compete with one another, yet they see each other as partners rather than rivals. Each company provides consultancy to the other. The fair has created a system where progress feeds progress. This, to me, is sustainability. Highlighting design has also greatly contributed to the fair’s development and has been highly beneficial for ready-to-wear companies. Companies that have gone through these paths are already well ahead of the national economy.”
Strong interest from association leaders
Burak Sertbaş, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association, stated:
“Sustainability has become very popular recently, but it has been discussed worldwide for many years. We have also become more familiar with it in Türkiye. We all know how important it is, and our efforts in this area are continuing to grow. There is no other planet.”
Meanwhile, Hayati Ertuğrul, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association, shared the work they have carried out on sustainability and emphasized that they attach special importance to the issue.
