The fourth edition of Istanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO) was held in Istanbul from 9-11 August 2023, continuing its growth track. The event saw a record number of exhibitors and visitors, with over 400 companies from 125 countries showcasing their latest collections to over 20,000 attendees.

The exhibition space at IFCO also doubled from the previous year, to 35,000 square meters. This growth was driven by a strong increase in interest from international buyers, with over 100% more visitors from abroad attending the event this year.

The latest collections from the womenswear, menswear, kidswear, denim, sportswear, evening and wedding fashion, lingerie & hosiery, and leather & fur segments were all on display at IFCO. 

The event also featured a dedicated area for internationally renowned designers of Istanbul Fashion Week, who presented their creative designs to the industry.

Leading retail brands such as Ipekyol, Kigli, and Damat also presented their current collections at IFCO. The event was a major success for the Turkish fashion industry, and it is expected to continue to grow in the years to come.

Seniha Morsümbül, Emriye Perrin Akçakoca Kumbasar, and Ahmet Ҫay have been recognized with the prestigious J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award for their outstanding contribution in their paper titled "Photochromic Microcapsules for Textile Materials by Spray Drying—Part 3: Applications of Photochromic Microcapsules on Cotton Fabrics." Their groundbreaking research, featured in the 2022 AATCC Journal of Research, has earned them this esteemed accolade. 

About the Awardees 

Seniha Morsümbül, a research assistant at Ege University in Turkey, holds a remarkable academic journey with a BSc, MS, and PhD in Textile Engineering. Her extensive research, involvement in national projects, and international contributions in various journals and conferences exemplify her dedication to the field. 

Ahmet Ҫay, a professor at Ege University, boasts an impressive portfolio with over forty articles in international journals, national research projects, and collaborative research experiences in Greece and the United Kingdom. Emriye Perrin Akçakoca Kumbasar, also a professor at Ege University, has exhibited a stellar career, including editorial roles, publications, and numerous presentations, in addition to her previous Weaver Award recognition in 2018. 

The J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award recognizes outstanding research contributions in the field of textile engineering, celebrating academic excellence and innovation. The award presentation will take place at AATCC's Textile Discovery Summit on September 14, 2023, in Greenville, South Carolina.

Glamorous Opening Ceremony 

Asia's premier fashion extravaganza, CENTRESTAGE, commenced with an enchanting opening ceremony on September 6th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and backed by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), CENTRESTAGE stands as a pinnacle event in the fashion calendar. 

Starry Soiree 

The inaugural event, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, dazzled attendees with the unveiling of the spring/summer 2024 collections of Hong Kong's Wilson Choi's "REDEMPTIVE" and Japan's Emi Funayama's "FETICO." Notable guests included industry luminaries, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts, alongside esteemed figures like Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the HKSAR, and Dr. Peter KN Lam, Chairman of HKTDC. 

Fashion with a Message 

REDEMPTIVE's collection, "OUT OF SERVICE," offered a whimsical take on contemporary life, urging individuals to find the beauty in existence and strike a work-life balance. Meanwhile, FETICO's "Do Not Disturb" collection championed authenticity and freedom, irrespective of societal norms. A Fashion Bonanza 

CENTRESTAGE continues until September 9th, showcasing over 240 brands from 19 countries and regions. Fashion enthusiasts and buyers can partake in the festivities on September 8th and 9th, enjoying a multitude of events, from fashion shows to enlightening forums and exciting lucky draws. CENTRESTAGE 2023 promises to be a fashion spectacle for the ages.

The European Union is actively advancing transformative policies through the EU Green Deal, particularly those with a significant impact on the textile industry. 

This has sparked a growing interest in sustainable and circular textiles from both the public and private sectors. As someone who covers sustainability and fashion, I am pleased to extend an exclusive interview invitation to Kutay Saritosun, the Director of Fashion Brands at bluesign®—a trailblazer in sustainable textile solutions and an industry veteran with eight years of experience at ISKO Denim. 

Kutay is well-positioned to offer invaluable insights into: 

The ramifications of the EU Green Deal for the global textile industry. How upcoming EU legislation aims to cultivate a more sustainable and circular textile ecosystem. The significance of the forthcoming Digital Product Passport in enhancing transparency and accountability. 

With several pivotal legislative changes on the horizon, including the introduction of the Digital Product Passport, this is a timely opportunity to delve deep into these critical developments. 

Kutay's expert commentary can serve as a comprehensive resource for comprehending the extensive transformations unfolding within the textile industry, both in the EU and across the world.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. In order to address this issue, many brands are adopting sustainable practices. However, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of sustainability, and different brands have different approaches.

In this article, we will hear from two experts in the sustainable fashion space: Graham Page, Principal of AlchemyX, LLC, and Shane O'Toole, Owner of Red Wolf Innovations. Graham and Shane will discuss their different perspectives on sustainability, and how brands can adopt sustainable practices in a way that makes sense for their business.

Graham Page has a background in chemical, polymer science, and advanced manufacturing. He is passionate about using technology to create more sustainable products. Graham believes that traceability is essential for sustainability, and he is working on developing technologies that will make it easier for brands to track the environmental impact of their products.

Shane O'Toole has a background in polymer and color chemistry. He is interested in using sustainable materials to create new products. Shane believes that brands should focus on using materials that are renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. He is also working on developing new technologies that will make it easier for brands to use sustainable materials.

Both Graham and Shane agree that sustainability is a complex issue, but they are both committed to finding solutions. They believe that by working together, brands can make a significant impact on the environment.

In addition to traceability and materials, other important aspects of sustainability in the fashion industry include:

• Labor practices: Brands should ensure that their products are made in factories that pay fair wages and provide safe working conditions.

• Water use: The fashion industry is a major consumer of water. Brands should use water-efficient practices and recycled water whenever possible.

• Waste disposal: The fashion industry produces a lot of waste. Brands should reduce, reuse, and recycle materials whenever possible.

GoodWeave International, the global nonprofit fighting child, forced, and bonded labor in supply chains, has appointed Jon Jacoby as its new CEO, succeeding Nina Smith. Smith led the organization for 24 years and will continue as a strategic advisor until 2023. 

Jacoby officially assumed the role on September 1st, bringing extensive experience in responsible business, workers' and human rights, and inclusive development, aligning with GoodWeave's mission to combat child labor. Siddharth Kara, GoodWeave International's board co-chair, expressed satisfaction with Jacoby's selection, praising his commitment to workers' rights and fundraising expertise. 

Jacoby is eager to lead during a time of expansion and increased impact, pledging to work with partners to protect vulnerable children and informal workers globally. Before GoodWeave, Jacoby led global grant-making at the Open Society Foundations, co-founding FORGE and the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, mobilizing resources for workers' rights and corporate human rights due diligence. 

He managed teams at Oxfam, contributing to the Behind the Brands campaign and served as associate director for International Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress. Jacoby holds an MBA and an MA in international affairs from Columbia University and a BA in social studies from Harvard University. 

His appointment marks a new chapter in GoodWeave International's mission to end child labor, continuing the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi and the exemplary leadership of Nina Smith.

Introducing the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), a collaborative initiative led by industry leaders, including the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), the British Fashion Council (BFC), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Our mission is to propel the UK fashion industry into a Circular Fashion Ecosystem. 

CFIN unites stakeholders from various sectors, including Retail, Brand, Textiles, Manufacturing, Academia, NGOs, Innovation, Finance, and Legal, in a concerted effort to address climate challenges within the fashion industry. 

Through the development of a comprehensive sustainable ecosystem transformation program, CFIN aims to lead the way in finding innovative solutions. 

Its focus revolves around six key strategic themes, prioritizing acceleration in: Circular Business Models 

Recycling Infrastructure 

Sustainable Manufacturing 

Novel Technologies 

Diverse and Future-Proof Workforce Green 

Growth CFIN is committed to fostering sustainability and resilience within the fashion industry, making strides toward a more environmentally responsible and prosperous future.

The EPCH India Pavilion at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, launched on September 4, 2023. The event showcased Indian culture and handicrafts, and ran from September 3 to 6. R. K. Verma, EPCH Executive Director, noted the involvement of regional member exporters, while Dr. Shashank Vikram, Consul General, praised EPCH's global promotion of Indian handicrafts. 

Dileep Baid, EPCH Chairman, highlighted the Pavilion's diversity. 

The UK market potential was emphasized, offering sourcing opportunities from India. EPCH is a handicraft export promoter that achieved Rs. 30,019.24 Crores ($3,728.47 Million) in exports during 2022-23.

The ITMA textile machinery exhibition in Milan this June was a major success, with over 111,000 visitors. This is great news for both textile finishing technology specialist Monforts and one of its major customers, GtA.

GtA specializes in technical textiles for the digital printing market, and 70% of its business is related to trade fairs and major public events. The company was forced to go on short-time work during the pandemic, but it is now back to running 24 hours a day to meet unprecedented demand.

Monforts is also pleased to see the return of global exhibitions. The company has been investing in new technologies and equipment to meet the demands of the digital printing market. It is also working with GtA to develop new ways to save energy in the textile finishing process.

New York City's premier destination for men's fashion, Sartoria Studio, has announced a partnership with renowned bespoke tailor Sartoria Carfora. The partnership will bring Carfora's fresh perspective on Italian bespoke suiting to Soho, with a permanent presence at Sartoria Studio's lounge.

To celebrate the collaboration, Carfora will be hosting a trunk show event on October 12-14, 2023. Clients will have the opportunity to meet Carfora and get fitted for a bespoke garment.

Sartoria Studio is known for its curated selection of men's fashion, including custom clothing, premium off-the-rack attire, and accessories. The partnership with Carfora marks the downtown haberdashery's inaugural venture into the bespoke suiting arena.