IF Wedding Fashion İzmir Was Enriched with Fashion Talks
Within the scope of IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – 16th Bridal, Groom and Evening Wear Fair, a talk on “Fashion and Trends” welcomed world-renowned fashion designer and artist Atıl Kutoğlu as its guest. Moderated by Serra Özsoy Karagülle and organized with the contributions of the Young Exporters Council operating under the Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB), the talk attracted great interest from fashion design students and fair visitors. Kutoğlu shared insights ranging from his journey in the fashion world to what young designers need to do to succeed, as well as the key trends of 2023.
Introducing Türkiye to the world with his distinctive style and designs under the Atıl Kutoğlu brand, the celebrated designer spoke about his success story that began in Austria and continues today. Kutoğlu stated that he always gladly accepts invitations from İzmir.
“While studying at the Istanbul German High School, I realized—perhaps inspired by my mother, who is an architect—that I had a talent for drawing, and I began focusing on fashion sketches as early as middle school. I attended fashion shows of Türkiye’s leading brands and was deeply influenced by the glamorous atmosphere of the fashion world, which led me to decide to become a designer. Later, important brand founders and executives who saw my drawings offered me internships and roles in design. While others went out to have fun after classes, I went to work for those famous brands. This became a great learning experience for me—almost like a school where I discovered myself,” he said.
“My only goal was to create my own brand”
Kutoğlu, who organized fashion shows with his own designs while still in high school, emphasized that the road to success requires hard work. After graduating from high school, he continued his university education in Europe. Although he received offers from many major brands while studying business, his sole goal was to establish his own brand.
“I always tried to represent my country in the best possible way abroad. I value the flow of fashion from past to future and developed my own geometric signature. In my collections, I blended motifs unique to Türkiye with modern lines. Thanks to these original designs, I dressed world-famous international models at fashion weeks in Europe and the United States,” he explained.
“This sector suits Türkiye very well”
Stating that “Türkiye’s textile industry is very strong, and this sector suits Türkiye very well,” Kutoğlu added:
“While we are very good at production as a country, we are not equally successful in promotion, design, and marketing. To represent Türkiye successfully on the international stage, strong support from both the private sector and the state is needed, along with media and public relations backing. To succeed in the fashion world, you must be successful in the U.S. and Far East markets. I would like to tell young fashion students: to succeed in this sector, you must first build a team, know foreign languages, receive high-level support, and—most importantly—prove yourself by being courageous, talented, and original in your collections.”
Which colors will be in fashion in 2023?
Sharing insights on the 2023 spring, summer, and winter trends, Atıl Kutoğlu said:
“In 2023, very vibrant colors will dominate—bright orange, vivid shades of blue and green will be seen in store windows. Cargo pants will be popular, silhouettes will range from skin-tight to extremely oversized, and coats, jackets, and collars will be very large.”
“Digitalization in Ready-to-Wear” Also Discussed
Another talk held within the fair focused on “Digitalization in Ready-to-Wear,” featuring Berat Kayışkan. Also a professional fashion photographer, Kayışkan shared that he had worked for 20 years in women’s eveningwear sales and production and had participated in IF Wedding Fashion İzmir many times as an exhibitor.
“I am very proud and excited to be here. Today, I am here as the founder of Tradegram Technology. Tradegram is a platform that brings buyers and sellers together, designed to offer an easy and fast shopping experience as an e-commerce marketplace. Today, you can move your business online on the same day, manage it from anywhere at any time, and direct your products, employees, and customers as you wish,” he said. Kayışkan emphasized the growing importance of digitalization in the fashion and textile sectors, just as in every other field in a rapidly changing world.