projected on to the catwalk screen
Istanbul Fashion Week kicked off with the 19th Koza Young Designers Contest, in which twenty-five young fashion students showcased their best work. The crowd were given a peak into each designer’s sketches and design inspirations, which were projected on to the catwalk screen
(Image credit: press)
By Apphia Michael
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It may only be three seasons old, but Istanbul Fashion Week has definitely whetted our appetites for more sartorial Turkish delights. Its latest staging saw a gathering of the best of the country's fashion in the city's Itu Taskisla Campus.

Backed by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, the week's fashion schedule featured internationally established names like Bora Aksu, Arzu Kaprol and Dice Kayak, as well as new design talent and lesser-known local names.

A precursor to the international fashion week roster, the current European City of Culture had international press and buyers flock to the city to take in shows, exhibitions and customary trips to the city's Grand Bazaar for inspiration.

With Turkish textile export being a world frontrunner, it came as no surprise that highlights of the week included quality finishes, intricately constructed fabrics and experimental textures. Also interesting was the fact that many ready-to-wear collections featured designs and prints that were heavily inspired by Turkish culture as a whole.

Another thing that stood out was the show schedule, which was executed with military precision. This made it probably the only fashion week in the world where almost every show started on time.

Despite it lacking quite the same finesse as other major fashion weeks, the buzz around the fledgling IFW was alive, making it certainly one to watch.

Categories were separated into ready-to-wear and leather

Categories were separated into ready-to-wear and leather

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One of the more peculiar accessories included a bag made out of a birdcage, as seen in this photo.

One of the more peculiar accessories included a bag made out of a birdcage, as seen in this photo. At the end of the show, the young designers took to the catwalk for a final parade alongside their creations

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Entrance to the catwalk show space

Entrance to the catwalk show space

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The courtyard at Itu Taskisla Campus, where the main body of Istanbul Fashion Week took place

The courtyard at Itu Taskisla Campus, where the main body of Istanbul Fashion Week took place

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Shows were spaced out between two hour intervals, so many guests took advantage of the chill out courtyard zone in between shows

Shows were spaced out between two hour intervals, so many guests took advantage of the chill out courtyard zone in between shows

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An entrance to the off-show exhibitions and trade stands

An entrance to the off-show exhibitions and trade stands

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At the pre-show rehearsal of Deniz Mercan

At the pre-show rehearsal of Deniz Mercan

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Swimwear at Deniz Mercan

Swimwear at Deniz Mercan

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Deniz Mercan: The designer and social activist's collection was inspired by the lives of fishermen's wives in the small Turkish fishing village of Rumeli Feneri

Deniz Mercan: The designer and social activist's collection was inspired by the lives of fishermen's wives in the small Turkish fishing village of Rumeli Feneri

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Metallic, blue and turquoise tones played on the concept of sea life

Metallic, blue and turquoise tones played on the concept of sea life

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The tunnel that lead the way out of the show space

The tunnel that lead the way out of the show space

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Over at Istanbul Modern, the second day of fashion week saw the opening of the Dice Kayak exhibition

Over at Istanbul Modern, the second day of fashion week saw the opening of the Dice Kayak exhibition

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One of the installation-like dresses at Dice Kayak

One of the installation-like dresses at Dice Kayak

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In another area of the museum, guests were also able to take in the largest and most comprehensive ever local exhibition of Turkish Cypriot designer Hussein Chalayan's work

In another area of the museum, guests were also able to take in the largest and most comprehensive ever local exhibition of Turkish Cypriot designer Hussein Chalayan's work

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The start of the much-anticipated Bora Aksu show. The designer was showing for the first time in his hometown

The start of the much-anticipated Bora Aksu show. The designer was showing for the first time in his hometown

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Floaty fabrics and a sheer colour palette set the theme for the collection...

Floaty fabrics and a sheer colour palette set the theme for the collection...

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Bora Aksu's signature ladylike style

... in Bora Aksu's signature ladylike style

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Bora Aksu's collection round-up

Bora Aksu's collection round-up

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Bora Aksu's collection round-up

Bora Aksu's collection round-up

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Freshly pressed Istanbul fashion week newspapers, which were given out during the week

Freshly pressed Istanbul fashion week newspapers, which were given out during the week

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The entrance to Itu Taksilu campus

The entrance to Itu Taksilu campus

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The G-Start Raw exhibition space within the campus

The G-Start Raw exhibition space within the campus

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A throng of photographers before a show, both from Turkish and International press

A throng of photographers before a show, both from Turkish and International press

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At the Simay Bulbul show

At the Simay Bulbul show

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This season, the Simay Bulbul woman was strongly based on mysticism and the idea of ancient magician women

This season, the Simay Bulbul woman was strongly based on mysticism and the idea of ancient magician women

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Parts of the collection seemed to be styled on the Elf-women in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

Parts of the collection seemed to be styled on the Elf-women in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

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Bulbul wanted to show a sense of transformation between brightness and darkness, and the collection had three distinct colour blocks of white, black and turquoise

Bulbul wanted to show a sense of transformation between brightness and darkness, and the collection had three distinct colour blocks of white, black and turquoise

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At the end of her show, a barefooted Bulbul greeted a rapturous audience

At the end of her show, a barefooted Bulbul greeted a rapturous audience

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Alek Wek with the designer Atil Kutoglu, wearing one of his creations. The designer showed his collection on the second day of fashion week

Alek Wek with the designer Atil Kutoglu, wearing one of his creations. The designer showed his collection on the second day of fashion week

(Image credit: TBC)

Outfits by fashion student Ozlem Yazan, in an exhibition that showcased work by the students of Istanbul Moda Academy

Outfits by fashion student Ozlem Yazan, in an exhibition that showcased work by the students of Istanbul Moda Academy, which has international links with fashion schools such as London College of Fashion, Domus Academy, Institut Francais de la Mode and Polimoda

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An up close look at the final designs for the Koza Young Designers contest

An up close look at the final designs for the Koza Young Designers contest

(Image credit: press)
Apphia Michael
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