The Fashion Industry in Turkey – Part Two
In the first part of our exploration into the Turkish fashion industry, we talked quite a lot about big international brands intermingled with home-grown Turkish brands. We also talked about the Istanbul Fashion Week, and how cotton production has shaped Turkey into a big fashion power to be reckoned with.
It really all does come down to the fact that turkey’s lands are perfect for agricultural growth, and that means cotton and other textiles too.
So, we have covered that aspect of the industry, but let’s talk in this section about what fashion in Turkey really looks like.
Do you expect fashion in Turkey to be quite conservative? Many people have this idea, but the fact of the matter is that Turkish fashion is extremely diverse. You will see many Turkish women covered up and wearing a headscarf, but you will see just as many who aren’t, and who are wearing trends from catwalks in Europe. You’ll see men wearing sports clothing, next to men who are dressed in sharp, tailored suits and walking around the city like they mean business.
The great thing about Turkish fashion is that it is very individual. Nobody seems to judge, nobody needs to raise an eyebrow at what you are wearing. That is what is so great about clothing in this country!
Yes, you will see some rather odd colour clashes from time to time, mainly in small towns and especially in villages, but hey, embrace it! Fashion is whatever you want it to be, it doesn’t have to fit into a mould or size. In the big cities, especially in Izmir and Istanbul, you’ll see the trends of Europe and America in abundance. Jeans, skirts, shorts, even cropped tops are rocked just as much as they would be in another country. Yes, Turkey is a conservative country to a degree, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see various fashions which challenge what is considered to be the ‘norm’.
Fashion really all comes down to the person, and what they are comfortable with, as well as how old they are, and what their family allow them to wear.
Isn’t this the same in every country to a degree?
The Istanbul Fashion Week, which takes place twice a year, really highlights Turkey’s emergence as a fashion trendsetter. Big named designers from all over the globe visit Istanbul, whilst also showcasing some home-grown designers, and fashions which were born in the country itself. You’ll see designs by some of the high street Turkish labels, such as Ipekyol, Mavi, and even LC Waikiki, and you’ll see upmarket designs which would be fit to adorn a supermodel.
Diversity really is what fashion is about in Turkey, and that shows in its industry work. Exports of Turkish clothing labels to the EU countries and even the USA are large, and the Middle Eastern countries are also big buyers too. Tourists don’t just visit Turkey for the sun and the beaches, they don’t just visit for the history, they visit for the shopping too. Many visitors to the south coast’s beach resorts will venture into the main town for a shopping day or two at some point. They will come away with bags of new purchases, and all at a low price, thanks to that favourable lira rate. This all works in the favour of the economy in Turkey.
You might not have considered Turkey to be a diverse fashion trend-setter, but this well-kept secret is threatening to burst out!
