Students studying at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Fashion and Textile Design, shape the future of fashion through the power of design. The designs of young fashion designers, as a result of the quality education they receive from national and foreign national academicians, received awards at the 11th IF Wedding Fashion Izmir - Wedding Dresses, Suits, and Evening Gowns Fair. 5 out of 15 finalists were from Izmir University of Economics. Ece Metiner and Fulya Civaroğlu, both graduates of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Fashion and Textile Design, came in second and third place respectively.
120 fashion designers applied with 360 bridal designs to this year’s contest. In addition to Metiner and Civaroğlu, Ayşenur Çavdar, Filiz Özbengi Uslu, and Merve Gökesmer from Izmir University of Economics were among the 15 finalists who proved the distinctness of education at IUE.
Ekrem Demirtaş, President of IUE Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Can Muğan, IUE Rector, Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, and Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of IUE Department of Fashion and Textile Design, met with triumphant students.
‘Turkey will excel through design, not contract manufacturing’
President Ekrem Demirtaş reminded that the top three contestants were from Izmir Economics in 2016 contest. Demirtaş said, “The first fashion and design department of Turkey was established within Izmir University of Economics at the same time when the university was established. We told at the time that contract manufacturing wouldn’t get Turkey anywhere, that we needed to create our own fashion, own brand, own designs, and we were going to train students who would be able to achieve this. It has been 16 years since then. Our students make ranks at Bridal Design Contest. Last year our students made us proud by achieving first, second, and third place, and this year, second and third place are also from our University. 5 out of 15 finalists are from Izmir University of Economics. Success of our students reveals the quality of education at IUE.”
‘Students have their own brands now’
President Demirtaş stated that IUE Fashion Designers took part at the contest with their own brands and reflected the power of design onto the sector. Demirtaş said, “Izmir is currently undertaking 70% of bridal export in Turkey. This is major. Of course we need to increase its scale and capacity. We will carry the sector further with students studying fashion design who shape the future of fashion”.
‘Winner’s Dreamland’
President Demirtaş also attended the performance fashion show titled “Düş Bahçesi (Dreamland)”, a 28-piece collection of Tuğçe Görgülü, student at IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Fashion and Textile Design, winner of last year’s contest. After the fashion show, the crowd attended the cocktail party at the Aegean Restaurant where students of IUE Department of Culinary Arts and Management displayed their culinary abilities.
