From Türkiye to the Global Fashion Stage: Antalya Fashion Week Founder Eda Meltem Yılmaz Highlights the Economic and Cultural Impact of Fashion Weeks
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Eda Meltem Yılmaz, Founder and President of Antalya Fashion Week, joined international fashion leaders, entrepreneurs and creative professionals at BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2026, held from 28 to 30 September at Moscow’s Zaryadye Concert Hall. As a guest speaker, Yılmaz brought Antalya Fashion Week’s international vision to one of the fashion industry’s major global gatherings.
On 29 September, she took part in the summit’s business programme as a speaker on the panel “More Than Just a Show: Fashion Week as a Modern Economic Platform.”
The discussion explored how fashion weeks are evolving beyond traditional runway presentations to become important drivers of economic growth, cultural exchange, tourism and international business partnerships.
Bringing together fashion industry representatives from different countries, the panel also examined the growing influence of fashion weeks on local economies, emerging designers and the wider global fashion ecosystem.
Fashion Weeks as Platforms for Economic and Cultural Growth
For Eda Meltem Yılmaz, fashion weeks have always represented much more than seasonal collections and runway shows. They create opportunities for designers, manufacturers, creative professionals and local businesses, while helping host cities strengthen their cultural identity and international visibility.
Drawing on her experience of building Antalya Fashion Week, Yılmaz highlighted the importance of connecting fashion with a city’s history, cultural heritage and economic potential.
Türkiye’s unique position between East and West offers an extraordinary source of inspiration for contemporary fashion. From ancient civilisations and Anatolian traditions to modern design, the country’s rich cultural heritage provides endless opportunities for creativity and international dialogue.
Under Yılmaz’s leadership, Antalya Fashion Week has embraced an approach that takes fashion beyond conventional venues and into the city itself, bringing runway experiences together with Antalya’s architectural heritage, cultural identity and tourism appeal.
Antalya Fashion Week: Strengthening International Connections
Founded by Eda Meltem Yılmaz, Antalya Fashion Week has grown into an international platform that brings together designers, fashion professionals and creative talent from Türkiye and around the world.
Its ninth edition, held from 2 to 4 June 2026 under the theme “The City Is Your Runway,” reflected this vision through runway presentations that connected contemporary fashion with Antalya’s distinctive historical and cultural setting.
The event continues to expand its international presence through partnerships with fashion organisations and industry professionals across different markets.
One of its key international projects in 2026 was a collaboration with Moscow Fashion Week.
As part of this partnership, Turkish designers GOKHANYAVAS and Murat Aytulum presented their collections on the Moscow runway on 28 September under the banner “Antalya Fashion Week Presents.”
The collaboration offered an opportunity to showcase Turkish design talent to an international audience while encouraging professional exchange and stronger connections between the fashion industries of Türkiye and Russia.
A Global Conversation About the Future of Fashion
Recognised as an accredited BRICS event and an international business forum for the fashion industries of rapidly developing economies, BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2026 concluded in Moscow following three days of discussions, networking and industry events.
Held from 28 to 30 September, the summit brought together hundreds of speakers from more than 60 countries, creating a space for fashion professionals to exchange knowledge, share experiences and explore new approaches to the industry’s future.
Industry leaders from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe joined heads of national fashion weeks and industry associations, government representatives, manufacturers, retailers, investors and designers to discuss the priorities and strategic solutions needed as the global fashion industry undergoes significant change.
Türkiye was represented by Eda Meltem Yılmaz, Founder and President of Antalya Fashion Week, as a speaker, alongside Ehat Lekovic, Co-Founder and European Representative of Antalya Fashion Week, who participated as an industry expert. Both joined the international discussion focused on the role of fashion weeks as modern economic platforms.
The panel highlighted how fashion weeks can contribute to local economies, support tourism, generate new business opportunities and help designers reach international markets.
Participants also exchanged views on the financial sustainability of fashion weeks, international designer exchange programmes, cultural partnerships and new models for the industry’s future.
Reflecting on the significance of the summit, Eda Meltem Yılmaz said:
“I believe the future of the fashion industry will be shaped more by collaboration than competition. In this sense, BRICS+ Fashion Summit is not simply a meeting place where today’s challenges are discussed; it is an international platform that helps shape the future of fashion. By encouraging dialogue between countries, building trust and supporting long-term international partnerships, it creates genuine value for the global fashion community.”
Her perspective reflects the philosophy behind Antalya Fashion Week: fashion events should be more than showcases for new collections. They should create economic opportunities, encourage cultural exchange and build meaningful connections across borders.
BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2026 provided an opportunity for fashion professionals from around the world to explore new partnerships and consider how the industry can move forward together.
For Eda Meltem Yılmaz, participating in the summit marked another important milestone in Antalya Fashion Week’s international journey, while helping bring greater visibility to Türkiye’s creative talent on the global fashion stage.
At the heart of this vision is a simple belief: fashion is more than a runway. It is a universal language that connects cultures, cities and countries.
About Eda Meltem Yılmaz
Eda Meltem Yılmaz is a Turkish fashion choreographer, creative director, fashion entrepreneur and event producer, as well as the Founder and President of Antalya Fashion Week. She is also the Founder and CEO of EMY Organizasyon & Ajans, established in 2010.
With an extensive career in fashion show choreography, runway direction, creative production and international event management, Yılmaz has played a leading role in developing Antalya Fashion Week into an international platform that brings together designers, creative talent and fashion industry professionals, fostering cultural exchange and global collaborations.
About Antalya Fashion Week
Antalya Fashion Week is an international fashion event based in Antalya, Türkiye. First held in 2018, it brings together established and emerging designers, fashion professionals and creative communities from around the world.
Through runway shows, cultural projects and international collaborations, Antalya Fashion Week aims to strengthen the connections between fashion, cultural heritage, tourism and the global creative economy.
Official Website: www.antalyafashionweek.com