Within the scope of IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – Bridal Gown, Groom Wear and Evening Wear Fair, the 15 finalists of the 14th Bridal Gown Design Competition have been announced. Aiming to introduce new designers to the industry, the competition is being held this year under the theme “Flow” (Akış). Following the evaluation of 243 designs, the top 15 designs qualified for the final.
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ in partnership with the Aegean Clothing Manufacturers Association (EGSD), IF Wedding Fashion İzmir—Europe’s largest fair in its sector where fashion trends are set—continues to inspire young designers on their journey into the fashion world.
IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – Bridal Gown, Groom Wear and Evening Wear Fair is preparing to open its doors for the 17th time between 21–24 November 2023 at Fuarizmir. Alongside the fair, the 14th Bridal Gown Design Competition aims once again to bring new designers into the sector. The competition seeks to strengthen the industry with innovative designs and reveal original works capable of creating fashion and trends in international markets, while bringing young designers together with industry professionals.
Held this year with the theme “Flow”, the competition received applications from 84 designers—including 10 international participants—representing 15 provinces, 24 universities, and 3 educational institutions, with a total of 243 designs submitted. Following the jury evaluation, 15 finalist designs were selected.
The finalists are:
Aslıhan Yıldırım, Asya Özden, Batuhan Doğan, Berna Dinç, Elif Hünker, Işın Su İlke Ayhan, Leyla Bozlakoğlu, Mehmet Melih Sevinç, Mobina Agahi, Murat Suzan, Nilgün Demirhan, Pelin Öz, Sarina Miri, Sercan İzci and Serkan Çınar.
The finalists will soon begin the production process under the mentorship of industry professionals at the ateliers of designers who are members of the İzmir Fashion Designers Association.
The young designers met with their mentor designers at a meeting held at Fuarizmir, where they were informed about the process. On 21 November 2023, the 15 finalists will have the opportunity to present their designs to professionals during the Opening Ceremony Fashion Show, where the competition awards will also be announced. In addition, the designs of all 15 finalists will be exhibited throughout the fair.
Mentor designers from the İzmir Fashion Designers Association include:
Burak Çiçek & Ebru Kalkan, Çağrı Şengül & Serdar Yüzer, Dilek Yaldız, Ezgi Mahir, Melek Özyenilmez, Meltem Aybar, Murat Acar, Nadir Demir, Nergis Şahan, Nükhet Gelen, Taner Tabaklı, Volkan Kerimoğlu, Zeynep Olgun, Zühre Balaban and Yiğit Eryendi.
The preliminary jury, chaired by designer Övge Yıldızhan Subaşı, consisted of:
Dr. Belgin Görgün (Istanbul Technical University), Prof. Dr. Biret Tavman (Marmara University), Prof. Dr. Ender Bulgun (İzmir University of Economics), Designer Erol Albayrak, Esin Özyiğit (President of İzmir Fashion Designers Association), Research Assistant İrem Sabanuç (Marmara University), Prof. Kemal Can (Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), Research Assistant Sejda İnal (Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), Şule Aydın (Director of İzmir Institute of Maturation), Fashion Writer & Visual Merchandiser Ümit Temurçin, and Prof. Dr. Ziynet Öndoğan (Ege University).
Designers who place in the competition will not only gain a strong entry into the industry but also receive special awards.
First Prize: 40,000 TL cash award + the right to hold a Performance Fashion Show at IF Wedding Fashion İzmir 2024
Second Prize: 30,000 TL (awarded by EGSD)
Third Prize: 20,000 TL