Fashion Prime – 8th Textile, Ready-to-Wear Suppliers and Technologies Expo and the INTERMODA Shoes and Bags Expo, held simultaneously at Fuarizmir, officially opened with a ceremony. Speaking at the opening, Dr. Cemil Tugay, Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, acknowledged the challenges currently facing the textile industry while expressing confidence in its future.
"Türkiye is a textile country. The textile and ready-to-wear industries have long formed the backbone of our manufacturing economy. Last year, Fashion Prime welcomed 7,753 visitors from 38 countries. This year, the expo has grown even further and continues to strengthen its international profile. We have the strength to overcome today's challenges. As they have throughout history, trade fairs will continue to shape İzmir's future."
Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized by İZFAŞ, the eighth edition of Fashion Prime – Textile, Ready-to-Wear Suppliers and Technologies Expo opened alongside the inaugural INTERMODA Shoes and Bags Expo at Fuarizmir.
The opening ceremony, hosted by Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, was attended by Gaziemir Mayor Ünal Işık, Yalçın Ata, President of the Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen of İzmir, Emre Kızılgüneşler, Vice Chairman of the Board of the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, Selami Özpoyraz, Chairman of the Assembly of the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, senior officials from İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, representatives of chambers, associations, NGOs, leading figures from the fashion industry, and international guests.
The expo commenced with a runway presentation showcasing designs created from premium fabrics.
"Fashion Prime Continues to Strengthen Its International Position"
Highlighting the significance of the two exhibitions opening on the same day, Mayor Tugay said:
"These are special days during which we once again present İzmir's manufacturing strength, creativity and design capabilities to the world. We are proud to host Fashion Prime – 8th Textile, Ready-to-Wear Suppliers and Technologies Expo. Every element of the industry is represented here—from the texture of fabrics and the craftsmanship of garment manufacturing to garment sub-industry products and the latest ready-to-wear technologies.
Fashion Prime carries İzmir's rich textile heritage into the present through a contemporary perspective while providing a creative platform that will help shape the future of fashion.
Last year the expo welcomed 7,753 visitors from 38 countries. This year it has grown even further. Fabrics and accessories for bridal gowns, eveningwear and groomwear are at the heart of this year's edition. With this focus, Fashion Prime is steadily strengthening its position as an internationally recognized industry platform."
"It Will Continue to Be One of the Industry's Leading Meeting Points"
Mayor Tugay emphasized the role of the expo in supporting the broader fashion ecosystem.
"The commercial relationships established here will also contribute directly to IF Wedding Fashion İzmir 2026. Every connection made today becomes another link in the chain that strengthens İzmir's fashion ecosystem.
Fashion shows, B2B meetings and industry networking events throughout the expo will create new opportunities for our manufacturers. I firmly believe that Fashion Prime will continue to be one of the industry's most important meeting points in the years ahead."
"We Have the Strength to Overcome These Challenges"
Referring to the current conditions affecting the ready-to-wear and textile industries, Mayor Tugay said:
"Our exports, which reached USD 21 billion a few years ago, are expected to remain around USD 17 billion this year. While overall industrial exports continue to grow, the ready-to-wear sector has not kept pace, with its share declining to 8.7 per cent.
Exports by the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters' Association also fell by eight per cent to approximately USD 1 billion, and are expected to close the year at around USD 1.3 billion, compared with USD 1.4 billion last year.
Employment figures present a similar picture. Thirty-five per cent of all job losses across the manufacturing sector have occurred within ready-to-wear and garment manufacturing. According to Social Security Institution data, employment has declined from 1.2 million workers at the end of 2022 to approximately 903,000 today, meaning nearly 300,000 jobs have been lost over the past two and a half years.
Global apparel trade reached USD 612 billion in 2024, yet Türkiye's share fell to 2.96 per cent by mid-2025—the lowest level in the past 35 years. This reflects the inability to fully offset rising production costs through export prices and clearly demonstrates the need for structural transformation in both production and exports.
Nevertheless, I remain optimistic. Türkiye is a textile country. The textile and ready-to-wear industries have formed the backbone of our manufacturing economy for decades, and we have the strength to overcome these challenges."
"We Stand Behind Production"
Mayor Tugay also highlighted the importance of sustainability, innovation and digital transformation.
"Our industry is undergoing profound change through green manufacturing, digitalization, artificial intelligence and innovation. We must adapt to this transformation to strengthen our competitiveness.
Although global growth is expected to remain moderate in 2025, worldwide apparel production is projected to grow by more than four per cent annually between 2025 and 2029. Our objective is to secure a greater share of that growth.
The ready-to-wear industry is also one of Türkiye's most important sources of employment. As long as we continue producing and creating jobs, our country will continue to prosper.
As İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, we remain fully committed to supporting manufacturers, designers and entrepreneurs. Together we will develop projects that strengthen production and innovation. Just as they have throughout history, trade fairs will continue to shape İzmir's future, and Fashion Prime is an integral part of that vision."
Concluding his remarks, Mayor Tugay stated:
"We need innovation. We need to embrace global developments and foster a culture of innovation. Every sector and every institution must become part of this transformation. We believe in the Republic of Türkiye and in our nation. Let İzmir continue to produce, produce even more, and let Türkiye prosper."
Bridal, Eveningwear and Groomwear Fabrics Take Centre Stage
Fashion Prime will welcome visitors until 24 October. This year's edition highlights fabrics and accessories for bridal gowns, eveningwear and groomwear, reflecting both Türkiye's and İzmir's internationally recognized strength in these specialist segments.
Exhibitors are presenting their latest collections to professional buyers from Türkiye and abroad, while strong visitor participation is expected from Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Kosovo, Egypt, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.
INTERMODA SHOES Makes Its Debut
Running concurrently until 24 October, INTERMODA SHOES is organized by AKORT Promotion, Organization and Exhibitions, in cooperation with Ege AYSAD and the İzmir Chamber of Shoemakers, with the support of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen of İzmir, AYKÜSAN, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association in İzmir.
Making its debut this year, the expo showcases the latest footwear collections and is expected to become an influential platform shaping the future of the footwear industry. Thanks to extensive international promotion and hosted buyer programmes, nearly 100 international buyers from 30 countries are expected to attend.
Featuring more than 100 brands and hundreds of products, INTERMODA SHOES aims to contribute significantly to the growth of Türkiye's footwear exports and international trade while facilitating B2B meetings between domestic and international companies.