Fashion week brings style icons to Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Turkish fashion designer Atıl Kutoğlu presented his spring/summer collection on the first day of Istanbul Fashion Week. He poses with his models. AA photo

Bright colors, romantic details and chic sophistication were seen on the runways as the seventh annual Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) began Oct. 10, bringing the spring and summer collections of Turkey’s most sough after designers and brands to center stage.

This year’s fashion extravaganza will see a total of 34 fashion designers and five brands flounce down the catwalk until the week-long event comes to an end Oct. 13. Istanbul’s fashion-savvy upper crust, socialites, media and even fashionistas on a budget will get peeks at collections from Turkish designers such as Şafak Tokur, Nihan Peker, Songül Cabacı, Ayhan Yetgin, Günseli Türkay and Çiğdem Akın.

A special Triko Mısırlı fashion show has been organized by the Istanbul Fashion Academy to bring tailor-made haute couture designs from La Hong Nhut, a famous fashion designer in northern Europe. Nhut’s brand is currently preparing to open a store on Abdi İpekçi Street in Istanbul as well as a flagship store in Vienna later this month.

Hanif’s collection

Renowned Turkish fashion designer Dilek Hanif also presented her romantic and sophisticated collection to fashion lovers during IFW’s opening day. This year marked the first time Hanif has ever participated in IFW. Hanif’s collection, inspired by painter Mary Casst, who lived in the 1800s and depicted mainly women in her paintings, includes a total of 52 mostly pastel color pieces. The collection was heavy on cocktail dresses and casual-chic midi-dresses in romantic colors like salmon, vanilla, sea green, white and light pink. Members of the press and style savants alike raved of Hanif’s collection.

Turkish designer Atıl Kutoğlu also presented his 2013 spring and summer collection during IFW’s opening day. The well-known designer sent 65 pieces down the runway on 34 models. Kutoğlu is an internationally acclaimed name and has been promoting Turkish fashion internationally with shows at New York Fashion Week in the United States and other world-wide fashion events.

Famous Canadian top model Jessica Stam came to Istanbul from New York for Kutoğlu’s show, while Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestones and his supermodel daughter Tamara Ecclestone travelled from London. Both models walked in Kutoğlu’s show wearing three dresses each.

Kutoğlu’s collection merged inspiration and elements from fashions of the ancient age with modern-day minimalism and contemporary architectural styles. The show was also viewed by foreign press members.

The seventh annual Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) is being held at Antrepo 3 in the historic neighborhood of Karaköy thanks to the organization of the Istanbul Apparel and Ready-Wear Exporters Association (IHKIB), Fashion Designers Association, United Brands Association and Istanbul Fashion Academy.