At a recent gathering in London to promote the Istanbul Fashion Connection trade show set for February 2026, Mustafa Paşahan, Vice President of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB), emphasized the opportunity to enhance Türkiye fashion ties with the UK.
Speaking to guests at the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Park Lane, Paşahan expressed a desire to “further strengthen the commercial and creative ties between Türkiye and the UK.”
He highlighted that the UK has recently become a trusted production powerhouse in the global fashion industry, thanks to its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, robust design capabilities, and the ability to deliver products swiftly.
“Today, Turkish apparel exporters proudly produce for many of the leading brands in the UK and across Europe,” he noted.
Paşahan also shared that Türkiye’s exports to the UK totaled $10.2 billion during the first nine months of 2025, with ready-to-wear apparel contributing $1.5 billion to that figure.
However, he maintained, “We firmly believe that the potential between our two countries goes far beyond these figures.”
To explore this potential further, İHKİB organized a B2B meeting program in the UK that connected Turkish manufacturers specializing in womenswear, menswear, children’s clothing, and hosiery with British buying groups.
“I sincerely believe that the meetings held today will open the door to long-term and value-added collaborations between our industries,” he stated.
The event also served as the launch of IFCO, the Istanbul Fashion Connection Apparel and Fashion Fair.
“In a short time, IFCO has become one of Europe’s largest apparel and fashion fairs, securing its place on the international fashion trade fair calendar,” Paşahan remarked.
“Through IFCO, we have welcomed over 200,000 professional visitors from nearly 100 countries to Istanbul across eight editions.”
In conclusion, he expressed pride in the ongoing growth of IFCO, citing it as a global platform where creativity meets sustainability, showcasing Türkiye’s vibrant fashion industry to the world. Strengthening Türkiye fashion ties with the UK remains a key focus for the industry’s continued development and collaboration.
