Since its inception in 2007, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – 13th Bridal Wear, Groom Wear and Eveningwear Fair has made significant contributions to the industry and positioned Türkiye as a global center for bridal gowns, groom wear, and eveningwear. The fair left its mark on the sector through commercial meetings between domestic and international buyers, runway shows showcasing the latest bridal, groom, and eveningwear models, magnificent stands, exclusive collections presented by participating companies, workshops, fashion panels, and the bridal gown design competition.
Preparations have already begun for the upcoming editions of IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – Bridal Wear, Groom Wear and Eveningwear Fair, to be held on 17–20 November 2019 and 21–24 January 2020.
One of the most important cities in the fashion world for bridal and eveningwear, İzmir has shone like a star in global trade through IF Wedding Fashion. With purchasing delegations attending from all over the world, the fair created a major impact this year through its fashion shows, impressive stands, high-quality products, and design areas. This distinction also raised the quality of buyers. While wholesale buyers dominated in previous years, this year saw a noticeable increase in boutiques and retail chain representatives. Visitors stated that they felt part of a grand fashion festival and emphasized that they experienced a fair well above standard levels, leading them to begin placing collection orders.
221 exhibitors showcased their collections
Announcing the branding movement in design from İzmir to the world last year for the future of both the sector and the city, the 13th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir captivated global attention with its high-quality products and designs aligned with world fashion trends. The fair hosted 207 domestic exhibitors from İzmir, Adana, Ankara, Erzincan, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, İstanbul, and Konya, along with 14 international exhibitors from the United States, India, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Romania, and Russia.
Held in Halls A and B, the fair provided 221 exhibitors the opportunity to present their exclusive designs to thousands of visitors. As Türkiye’s only UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)–certified fair in the sector, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir recorded a 25% increase in international visitors compared to the previous edition. Buyers from around the world—especially from the Middle East and Europe—held commercial meetings. With branding in design improving buyer quality, and an increased presence of retail chains, the fair is expected to achieve significant export figures in the coming year. Preparations have already begun for the 14th fair on 17–20 November 2019 and the 15th fair on 21–24 January 2020.
Events continued throughout the fair
Numerous events took place within the scope of IF Wedding Fashion İzmir. On the opening day, the 10th International Bridal Gown Design Competition concluded. Among 375 designs by 125 designers, Yasemin Dikerel won first place, Ece Anafarta placed second, and Gülşah Serin took third. Last year’s winner, Kansu Sara, presented the performance fashion show titled “The Nightingale and the Rose,” which attracted great interest from fashion enthusiasts.
Throughout the fair, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir delivered a visual feast with 11 fashion shows featuring renowned models, and also hosted internationally famous pop singers Brianna and Kate Linn. The Designers Area, along with the panels held there by designers and companies, was closely followed by visitors.
Russia to shift contract manufacturing to Türkiye
Russian buyers attended the fair with their largest delegation to date, paving the way for agreements that will add value to Türkiye–Russia trade relations. The delegation included representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus under the umbrella of the Russian Fashion Industry Association. Some buyers stated that they had never seen such a large and impressive bridal fair before and expressed their intention to relocate part of their production to Türkiye under contract manufacturing. They emphasized that alongside quality, fabric diversity played a major role, describing Türkiye as a “fabric paradise.”
“Turkish designers understand haute couture”
Ekaterina Likhacheva, who owns stores in St. Petersburg and Moscow, said:
“For the first time in six years, I attended a fair that truly satisfied me. Having bridal, groom, and eveningwear together is wonderful. After the fair, I am considering adding a new groom wear product line to my stores. The opportunity to place orders for the 2019–2020 season was especially appealing, as looking ahead is important to us. We do not see this with all suppliers. Turkish designers understand haute couture. The fashion shows were very well organized—the organization, models, choreography, and décor were excellent. Visually, what impressed us most were the stands. Each stand was beautiful and engaging in its own way. You won’t find this level of care at any other fair in Europe. There is nothing as visually striking elsewhere.”
Large-volume orders expected from retail chains
Darya, Sales Manager at one of Russia’s largest retail chains, stated:
“As a large company, we could not purchase collections directly, as we aim for high-volume orders. Our purchases will impact Türkiye–Russia trade figures. We really liked the new collections. Turkish manufacturers are always known for quality in Russia and are seen on par with Europe, especially in bridal, eveningwear, and groom wear. Initially, we could transfer 20–30% of our production to Türkiye.”
The fair’s rhythm never slowed
Blodin Karaxha, representing a company that organizes Kosovo’s largest fashion show, said that although he had attended before, this year’s fair transformed into a more colorful and entertaining fashion festival. He emphasized that the fair’s rhythm remained consistently high with designers, stands, models walking through the exhibition halls, and fashion shows.
“There are many opportunities to see diversity in Türkiye. In Kosovo’s fashion world, we are very interested in bridal and eveningwear, which is why we often use Turkish products in our fashion shows. Kosovo really admires Türkiye’s fashion spirit. With this fair, we could become strong partners. We will explore what we can do together. Hopefully, next year we can prepare a joint fashion show.”
“Design-focused events caught our attention”
Italian fashion consultant Antonio Gannistra said:
“I have been in this business for over 20 years and work with some of the world’s most famous brands. In the Italian market, we are currently moving toward simpler and more elegant eveningwear collections, and we found exactly what we were looking for at this fair. This is a fair where Türkiye responds to every global need. European collections could be increased slightly. We enjoy using Turkish products in the Italian market. Groom wear attracted our attention more this year. As someone who likes to see fabrics in person, I appreciated the opportunities offered by the fair—touching different textures, materials, and examining accessories. While the 2019–2020 collections were closer to the Middle Eastern market, there were also special pieces produced specifically for us. The design-related events also particularly stood out.”