The Fashion Industry in Turkey – Part One
Turkey perhaps isn’t a country you would instantly pinpoint a being a major player in the fashion world. That kind of title is really reserved for countries such as Milan, New York, Paris, and London. That is very unlikely to change in the near future, but we can’t ignore the fact that there are very sizable fashion waves happening in Turkey, and who knows, this could grow into a tsunami effect in the future.
Turkey has long been a big producer of cotton and its textile industry is very profitable, with around 18% of the exports which leave Turkey very single year. Turkey’s location is also very favourable for this type of business, standing in the middle of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East overall. We know that carpets have always been a big money spinner, but textiles overall, and nowadays clothing, are bringing in the cash. In 2009, Turkey was 7th in the top 70 countries with the ability to grow cotton. In the same year, around $12.9 billion exports were shipped out from Turkish brands, mainly to neighbouring European countries.
It’s no surprise with numbers like those that fashion is booming in Turkey!
Istanbul is without a doubt the fashion centre of Turkey. This is where culture meet, a truly international vibe, and that lends itself to many influences on fashion. The Istanbul Fashion Week which is held bi-annually aims to bring more attention towards home-grown designers and brands, whilst showcasing some of the biggest international wares at the same time. This has been a very popular and successful addition to Istanbul’s cultural calendar.
Most other Turkish cities and towns look to Istanbul to be he driver, the main influence on what’s hot and what’s not. If you want to find something specific, you will certainly find it in Istanbul, and this is why so many locals themselves flock to the city for shopping breaks. There are also many online retailers based in Istanbul who send shipments nationally and internationally in large numbers.
A Generation Eager For Fashion
Young Turks, both male and female, are keen and eager to stay up to date with the trends hitting the catwalks in the west, and this is why so many international brands have found their way onto Turkish high streets and into their shopping malls. H&M has become a mainstay, and you’ll find Zara in most large towns and cities too. Of course, these sit side by side with big named Turkish brands too, such as LC Waikiki. This is the most popular store with Turkish heritage, and it aims to keep shoppers up to date with local and international fashions, whilst keeping prices low.
The world is also opening its eyes to turkey’s fashion potential, and aside from Istanbul Fashion Week, which runs after the big international cities’ runway extravaganzas, Turkey was actually featured at the Paris Fashion Trade Show in 2014. The ‘Who’s Next’ segment featured Turkey as a big up and comer in the fashion world, bringing kudos to the industry within the country.
The misconception between what fashion is and isn’t in Turkey is quite wide reaching. We know that Turkey is a Muslim country, but you will see women covered in traditional clothing, including a headscarf, next to those who are dressed totally as you would see an American or English teenager dressed. This means there is a wonderful amount of scope for diversity here, ad that opens up a huge amount of fashion-related opportunities for the Turkish industry to explore in the future.
