The combination of fashion and passion, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir, will be held for the 13th time at fuarizmir between January 22–25. With more than 30,000 visitors expected from over 70 countries and all 81 provinces of Türkiye, the fair will transform into an international fashion festival.
As Türkiye’s only UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)–certified fair in the sector, and having broken a European record last year with a net exhibition area of 23,549 square meters, IF Wedding Fashion İzmir is set to shine like a star in global trade in 2019. Every year, European buyers place overseas collection orders for the world’s most prestigious brands at the fair. This year, more than 30,000 buyers from over 70 countries and 81 provinces are expected to attend.
Stating that they are ready to welcome the new year with strong momentum following the achievements of 2018, Z. Gül Şener, Board Member of İZFAŞ, emphasized that İzmir has proven itself at international standards in the exhibition industry. She noted that the 13th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir will mark significant trade figures for the new year. Purchasing delegations from around the world will be hosted at the fair, and companies from the United States, Russia, Hong Kong, Lebanon, India, and Romania will also participate as exhibitors.
Highlighting that the future of exhibitions can be built through design, Şener said:
“We experienced growth in line with our projections for 2018, but our main focus is investing in the future. The world now values design. Our biggest goal for the future of exhibitions and for İzmir is branding through design. IF Wedding Fashion İzmir – Bridal Wear, Groom Wear and Eveningwear Fair, which has already captured global attention, continues each year to host visitors with high purchasing power and strong industry participants. We expect the difference created by branding in design to be reflected in export figures by the end of 2019. IF Wedding Fashion İzmir, which has become a platform for international trade, owes much of this success to the value placed on design.”
As the first comprehensive global meeting of 2019 bringing together all components of the sector, the fair will have a direct impact on the year’s export figures. A total of 1,431 buyers will attend from all continents, particularly from Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran. Russia will participate with its largest purchasing delegation to date, while buyers from countries such as the United States and Canada, known for making the highest investments in wedding ceremonies worldwide, will also attend. Following the strong interest shown by international buyers in 2018 collections, which also led to special orders, the fair will present 2019–2020 special export collections.
To further enrich its international identity and increase the visibility of foreign producers in Türkiye, the fair will also host international exhibitors. For the first time, strong brands from the United States (eveningwear) and Russia (bridal wear) will participate, while Hong Kong and Lebanon will present eveningwear collections, Romania will showcase groom wear, and India will present accessories.
In recent years, İzmir has become an important supplier for Europe and the Middle East, gaining a distinct identity through IF Wedding Fashion İzmir. As in Milan and Barcelona, İzmir now hosts a high-quality fair that strongly supports the industry. Many European companies prefer the İzmir market over sourcing products from their own countries. The most diverse showcases of this market can be found at IF Wedding Fashion İzmir.
In addition to becoming a center of international trade, the 13th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir will offer visitors unforgettable experiences with its fashion shows, panels, competitions, and exhibitions, leaving its mark on 2019 with fashion and design. Featuring the sector’s leading companies and world-famous names on the runway, 11 fashion shows, including one mixed show, will be staged by renowned models. Continuous runway shows over three days will turn the fair into a true fashion spectacle.
The Bridal Gown Design Competition, which has first introduced the names of future fashion designers to Türkiye through IF Wedding Fashion İzmir runways, will be held for the 10th time this year. Competing under the theme “Creativity in Simplicity,” the top 15 finalists will present the first designs of their careers on the IF Wedding Fashion İzmir runway.
Another major initiative in the field of design will be the Trend Area, where leading fashion experts will present upcoming season trends. Enriched with fashion talks and exhibitions, the area will also display the works of the design competition’s semifinalists.
Bringing together local and international industry visitors alongside leading figures of the fashion world, famous artists, and models, the fair has begun its countdown to welcome the new year with a full program. The 13th IF Wedding Fashion İzmir, where fashion and passion unite, will rewrite 2019–2020 fashion together with all its visitors.