Istanbul is set to host the first Fashionable Istanbul extravanganza this weekend: a three day event in which local designers will host fashion shows and line previews for press and buyers alongside the european powerhouses at the illustrious Dolmabahçe Palace.
World famous designers will meet in İstanbul for Fashionable İstanbul which will take place on 23-25 October 2009. This event will make Turkey one of the leading countries of the fashion world and also it will be a fashion gateway to Middle and Near East.
Fashionable Istanbul has been conceived to celebrate international designers. The celebration will be spread over a three nights soirée that will feature the most glamorous and well recognised faces in fashion. And include special appearances from international DJ’s and musicians.
This exclusive event in Istanbul, will capture the press and public’s imaginations with thanks to the celebrity status venue, featured designers, models, performers and high end attendees. Hollywood actor Bruce Willis and model Emma Heming his wife, Justin Timberlake, Princess Haya, Roberto Cavalli, his wife Eva are invited to the event in Istanbul.
Top model Bar Refaeli is the face of Fashionable Istanbul’s advertising campaign and will attend the event’s shows and parties. Refaeli had also co-hosted Fashionable Istanbul’s press conference, with fashion journalists from Italy, England, Germany, America, Russia and the Middle East.
Several top models, including Jessica Stam, will be walking the runway at Fashionable Istanbul.
A mix of local and celebrated international designers will headline the three-day event’s runway shows, held in the city’s breathtaking Dolmabahce Palace.
Organizers invited high profile brands Viviene Westwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gianfranco Ferre, Roberto Cavalli and Missoni to present their fashion collections to a new audience on Fashionable Istanbul’s catwalks. To attend the fashion shows, you must have an invitation.
After the fashion show Cavalli will attend to an after party at Reina together with his wife Eva Cavalli. Cavalli called the manager of Reina and told him he wants to decorate the lounge area they will be sitting during that night.
Cavalli requested only white colors to be used. Cavalli has sent his own vodka brand to Reina and asked them to only serve his own Vodka to the guests.
Fashionable Istanbul
Event Date: 23 – 25 October, 2009
Event Venue: Dolmabahce Palace Square, Istanbul
Official Press Releases
Fashionable Istanbul is Bringing the Fashion World’s Most Prestigious Event to Turkey (24.09.2009)
Rolling on the streets of New York, Milan and Paris for years, Fashion’s most prestigious event is coming to Turkey with Fashionable Istanbul by Avea. The event is going to post Istanbul on the elite world fashion calendar.
Fashionable Istanbul by Avea is gathering the world famous fashion designers between October 23 and 25. The event that is expected to insert Turkey in the list of world fashion countries is going to be the fashion world’s gateway to Middle East and Near East. Fashionable Istanbul by Avea had a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Thursday September 24.
Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli and Gianfranco Ferré are among the designers invited to showcase their collections in the event. For the first time at Fashionable Istanbul by Avea, Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania collection is hitting the catwalk.
The press conference was attended by several names including the moderator Raif İnan, a partner of Baykam&RBM, as well the other partners Hakan Baykam and Mehmet Celebi. Maia Guarnaccia the vice-president of IMG Fashion Europe, Matteo Marzotto President of the Italian Tourism Council were also among the attendees along with Orcun Onat, Assistant General Manager Avea Customer Relations representing the main sponsor along with the Executive Editor of CNN Turk Mehmet Ali Birand representing Dogan Yayin Holding as the media sponsor. Finally the face of Fashionable Istanbul by Avea, the world famous top model Bar Refaeli.
The moderator Raif İnan emphasized that their goal is to grow the Turkish Fashion Industry and the brands in order to carry them on the same platform with the fashion world’s most wanted. He added that as Baykam&RBM they are willing to develop projects that will create success and allow Turkey to stand out on the world scene.
Fashionable Istanbul is organized by BAYKAM&RBM, a well-known organization for its exclusive events and supported by IMG Fashion, the world’s leading fashion event organization company.
A unique event on an international level
In his speech Hakan Baykam, one of the partners of BAYKAM&RBM mentioned that Fashionable Istanbul is a new event for the whole world. ”Fashionable Istanbul by Avea is an international and unique event. The world famous brands rarely leave their own networks (Paris, Milan, London, New York). However our personal relationships and most importantly the organization’s credibility played a huge role while convincing the designers to showcase their collections in Istanbul. Of course Istanbul’s influence on this pitch was outstanding as the city is known as a cool and trendy city.
“Istanbul is a gateway for brands from all around the world to Middle-East and Far East. By passing through this door, these brands are going to be even closer with these countries” said Hakan Baykam and continued:
“The World is changing and all the big players of the fashion industry are aware of it. Because of the changes in purchasing power, these brands have also had to change their strategies. This is why, all these brands are willing to target larger masses and receive more exposure at more spots. All in all these reasons make Fashionable Istanbul a more international event compared to the others.”
Fashionable Istanbul by Avea is going to continue for 3 days between October 23 and 25. Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli and Gianfranco Ferré are going to be among the designers attending the event.
The goal is to make Turkey one of the fashion capitals
Mehmet Celebi, one of the partners of BAYKAM&RBM, affirms that with Fashionable Istanbul by Avea, their goal is to position Turkey with its industry and brands as one of the leading fashion capitals in the world. Celebi explained that the emerging markets such as China, Middle East, Far East and Turkey became very important for the foreign investors. Thanks to its geographical position, Turkey will be a bridge which connects Middle East and Near East with Europe and America.
Fashionable Istanbul by Avea will affect Turkish fashion industry in different ways. Mehmet Celebi says “We will organize a Young Designers’ Show and offer an internship opportunity to the most successful young designers with famous fashion designers. Our platform is also open to Turkish brands. We are evaluating Turkish brands that applied to us. We give a chance to be a world wide known brand to the Turkish brands”.
Avea, the main sponsor of Fashionable Istanbul by Avea, declared that they are proud of being a sponsor of such an event which aims to improve Turkish fashion and textile industry and carry Turkish brands among the world wide known international brands. Avea deputy general manager of customer relations, Orcun Onat says:
“Fashionable Istanbul by Avea will take place for the first time with the leadership of Avea. While hosting the world wide known fashion brands, Fashionable Istanbul by Avea will have positive effects on Turkish fashion industry and textile. Turkey is strategically important thanks to its geographical position and labor force. We believe that with this organization, Turkey will not only connect Middle East, Far East, Europe and America but also will position Turkish brands among their leading, world wide known competitors.”
Designers say: “Turkey is very special for us and we are proud to be a part of Fashionable Istanbul”
Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferré, the fashion designers who will attend to Fashionable Istanbul by Avea sent their messages through Hakan Baykam….
Vivienne Westwood: We are very happy to show our new collection Anglomania for the first time in Turkey. We believe that it is the best time to strengthen our brand’s position at such an exciting and new market. Turkey will be our next bridge for our future developments after Europe, Russia, America, Middle East and Far East.
Roberto Cavalli: The east has always attracted my attention. I believe that the East’s seductive beauty, nurtured and mysterious soil will have an important contribution to my creativity. I am very excited to be apart of a huge event like Fashionable Istanbul in a city where my collection is already loved and favored.
Ferruccio Ferragamo: Istanbul is a city that plays an important strategic, economical, and cultural role through its rich history, important past emperors and many diverse civilizations that have passed through this city. We happily accepted the offer to be apart of an event where I know we will achieve great success and provide us the opportunity to add more customers to our portfolio.
Ferragamo’s Designer; Massimiliano Giornetti: It is truly a great honor for us to be apart of the first ever Fashionable Istanbul in such a modern and cultural capital that bridges the East and the West. This is a turning point for Salvatore Ferragamo setting our foundations and being apart of such a creative, mysterious and enchanting market.
Vittorio Missoni: Turkey and Istanbul are becoming very important markets for us in the fashion world. For this reason, it is with great joy that we agreed to be apart of Fashionable Istanbul.
CEO of Gianfranco Ferré, Michela Piva: Turkey holds a vital place in Gianfranco Ferré’s future plans in the market. Therefore, being apart of Fashionable Istanbul provides us a unique opportunity to grow in this market. Istanbul is a favorite city of travelers, may it be locals or internationals who travel to Istanbul, but the interest that our collection has among our international customers pleases us a lot.
Gianfranco Ferré Designers Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi: Istanbul is one of those unique, innovative, fashionable, historical city where history and novelty meet, making it a one-of-a-kind city. Istanbul is an infinite city of walls, towers, museums, and sacred places appearing like a kaleidoscope with its colorful images where free creativity roams. By breaking the barriers of fashion, diverse ethnicities and its cultural difference make Turkey a city you cannot live without.
