7th Edition Again Visitor Magnet for the International Fashion Industry February5-8, 2025
The seventh edition of IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection, held from February 5 to 8, 2025, once again solidified its position as a premier international fashion hub. With 513 exhibitors spread across eight halls at the Istanbul Expo Centre, the event showcased a diverse range of fashion segments, including womenswear, menswear, kids wear, designer collections, lingerie & hosiery, evening dresses, denim, leather garments, shoes, and accessories. The event attracted 33,788 visitors from 151 countries, with over 40% of attendees coming from international markets, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year.
A Global Gathering of Fashion Enthusiasts
IFCO 2025 was a melting pot of cultures and creativity, drawing visitors from across the globe. The largest contingent of international visitors hailed from the Middle East (32.5%), followed by Asia (25.1%), Europe (23.1%), and North Africa (14.6%). Additionally, 4.7% of visitors traveled from the USA, South America, Australia, and Africa. This diverse participation underscores IFCO’s growing reputation as a global fashion destination.
The event also featured B2B meetings in a speed-dating format at the luxurious WoW Hotel, held the day before the trade fair. These meetings provided a platform for high-caliber international buyer groups to connect with exhibitors, fostering valuable business relationships.
Exhibitors: A Showcase of Innovation and Creativity
Spanning 35,000 square meters of exhibition space, IFCO 2025 offered a comprehensive display of the latest fashion trends and collections. The event was divided into clear product areas, making it easy for visitors to navigate and explore the offerings.
TheCore Istanbul: Originally part of Istanbul Fashion Week, TheCore Istanbul has become a central feature of IFCO. This year, over 25 established and emerging designers showcased their collections, creating a vibrant hub for creativity and networking. Designers such as Gökhan Yavas, Kübra Demir, and Tuba Ergin used this platform to present their latest creations and connect with both long-standing and new customers.
Gökhan Yavas, a first-time participant at TheCore, expressed his delight at the opportunity to meet buyers from around the world, including the USA and Turkish Republics. Kübra Demir, returning for the second time, presented her S/S 26 handmade linen collection under her brand Ryder Act. Tuba Ergin, a veteran exhibitor at TheCore, highlighted the positive impact of the trade fair on her business, noting that each participation brings new customers from across the globe.
IFCO Brands: The IFCO Brands area featured market leaders and retail brands such as Jakamen, Sabri Özel, NCS, Kayra, Jimmy Key, UCLA – Ecko Unltd, Nefeli, Armine, Rojbey, Kiğılı, Nara Max, İpekyol, and Damat. These brands presented their latest collections in trendy stands designed to reflect their individual store aesthetics. Nihat Onuk, Director of International Business Development at Damat, emphasized the importance of IFCO as a platform for meeting major buyers and potential franchise partners.
IFCO Kids: The kids’ area, IFCO Kids, doubled in size this year, featuring 40 children’s fashion manufacturers in Hall 8. Mukkader Özden, founder of Ozmoz, a brand specializing in ecologically produced baby clothing, praised the dynamic nature of the trade fair and the valuable contacts made with buyers from the Middle East, Russia, and the Turkish Republics.
FashionIST and Linexpo: The FashionIST area, located in Halls 5-6, showcased a wide selection of high-quality evening dresses and suits. The womenswear area in Halls 2 and 4 featured denim and sportswear suppliers, while menswear was represented in Hall 8. The LinExpo lingerie & hosiery area occupied Halls 9 and 10, offering a comprehensive display of intimate apparel.
Visitors: A Testament to IFCO’s Global Appeal
With 33,800 visitors, the seventh edition of IFCO reaffirmed its status as an international hub for the fashion industry. The event attracted high-caliber international buyers, including representatives from John Lewis (UK), J.P. Boden & Co. Limited (UK), Liverpool Retail India Limited, Monsoon Brand Ltd. (UK), Nicoli Network Sl. (Spain), Aeon Co. (M) BHD. (Malaysia), Arıat (USA), LE ALFRE (USA), AboutYou (Germany), Aritzia (Canada), and Groupe Vanessa Bruno (France). These brands took full advantage of the B2B meetings and networking opportunities offered by IFCO.
Supporting Programme: A Fusion of Fashion, Technology, and Sustainability
IFCO 2025 featured a rich supporting programme that highlighted the intersection of fashion, technology, and sustainability.
IMA Trend Area: In collaboration with the Fashion Designers’ Association (MTD), IFCO presented the IMA Trend Area, themed “MINDSCAPE.” This year’s theme combined science and spirituality, exploring how digital innovations deepen our understanding of the mind and soul. The concept promoted personal growth and ecological awareness by integrating modern data with traditional knowledge. Sustainable materials and environmentally friendly processes were emphasized, reflecting the connection between self-care and environmental protection.
**Seminar Programme:** The seminar programme at IFCO covered a range of current topics, including Spring/Summer 2026 trends from WGSN, the influence of social media, online sales, and AI on fashion marketing, presented by the IUAD Naples Fashion Academy. A panel discussion on the fourth day focused on digitalization in the fashion industry, exploring innovations, trends, and applications in 2D, 3D, and AI software.
Fashion Shows: Daily fashion shows at IFCO provided an impressive stage for trend-setting designs, offering a glimpse into the future of fashion and setting inspiring accents for the coming season.
IFCO: A Global Fashion Center with a Visionary Focus
Since its inception, IFCO has welcomed a total of 2,552 exhibitors and 153,000 visitors across 160,533 square meters of exhibition space. The seventh edition alone attracted 33,788 guests from around the world. Mustafa Paşahan, Vice President of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) and IFCO Fair Executive Committee President, highlighted the event’s success: “Thanks to a diverse program with Fashionist and Linexpo, renowned brands for womenswear, menswear, and kids wear, brands areas, trend areas, fashion shows, and specialist seminars, the trade fair offered an experience that went far beyond expectations. We are proud to have achieved this within three years.”
Turkish Fashion Goes Green & Digital
The Turkish fashion industry has long been at the forefront of sustainable and digital transformation. Even before the European Union’s Green Deal came into focus, the industry was making targeted investments in sustainable and digital solutions. Mustafa Paşahan emphasized the industry’s commitment to innovation: “Our fashion industry is a pioneer in digital and green transformation. These two key factors have been at the center of our work for years. We are continuously developing projects, cooperating with ministries and the EU, and utilizing European Union-approved programs that specifically support this transformation. İHKİB is the leading organization in Türkiye when it comes to innovative projects for the dual transformation and the successful use of EU-supported programs.”
Conclusion
IFCO – Istanbul Fashion Connection 2025 was a resounding success, showcasing the best of Turkish and international fashion. With its diverse range of exhibitors, high-caliber visitors, and innovative supporting programme, IFCO has firmly established itself as a global fashion hub. As the industry continues to evolve, IFCO remains at the forefront, connecting fashion to the future and paving the way for a more sustainable and digitally-driven world.