Turkish Textiles Walk into the Future with “Design”
The winners have been announced in the Futuretex Istanbul Fabric Design Contest, organized by the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association (ITHIB) and celebrating its 20th year this year. The top three winners received not only financial awards but also the right to study abroad.
Speaking at the event where the winners were announced, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) President Mustafa Gültepe stated that to stand out in global competition, it is now necessary not only to produce but also to design value-added, innovative, sustainable and branded products, and said, “We see every support given to design, when combined with the creativity of our young talents, as an investment in Türkiye’s global competitive power.” ITHIB Chairman Ahmet Öksüz also emphasized that young people and design are at the center of the transformation journey of the textile industry.
Expressing that the textile industry is going through an important turning point, Ahmet Öksüz said, “We have seen this country’s determination in the face of difficulties many times throughout history. I wholeheartedly believe that we will overcome this process with unity and solidarity. The enthusiasm we witnessed during our event has been a very valuable source of motivation for our sector. It does not suit Turkish textiles to stop; we will continue on our path with determination by saying more production, more employment, more exports.”
It Is Aimed for Turkish Fabrics to Become Branded with the Power of Design
The 20th year of the Futuretex Istanbul Fabric Design Contest, which reveals the innovative spirit of Turkish textiles, was celebrated with a grand final ceremony held with intense participation. Aiming to brand world-renowned Turkish fabrics with the power of design, the contest once again brought together the creative productions of young designers with the industry. More than 500 guests attended the final night of the contest. In the Futuretex Istanbul Fabric Design Contest, which has been organized for 20 years by the ITHIB, Eda Özergin became the first place winner, followed by Su Onat in second place and Leyla Tadzhibaeva in third place. The Trendyol Jury Special Award went to Furkan Tuğçe Tuğutlu.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Ahmet Öksüz drew attention to the industrial vision of the Republic and the role of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the industrial revolution. Emphasizing that Atatürk established exactly 46 factories during the first 15 years of the Republic, ranging from defense industry to textiles, from chemistry to mining, Ahmet Öksüz highlighted that especially the Nazilli Sümerbank Printing Factory was one of the turning points of Turkish industry. Ahmet Öksüz said, “The Nazilli Sümerbank Printing Factory, whose opening was personally carried out by Atatürk one year before his passing, was examined, taken as an example and copied as a ‘model factory’ by many countries. The vision of the textile industry, which has a 100-year accumulation, shows us this: Turkish textiles existed yesterday, exist today and will continue to exist even stronger tomorrow.”
“High-Design-Power Products and Branded Exports Are No Longer a Choice but a Historical Responsibility”
Expressing that the textile industry is going through an important turning point, Ahmet Öksüz said, “We have seen our country’s determination in the face of difficulties many times. We continue to work with this determination.” Underlining that the textile industry is going through a new transformation process in order to maintain its competitive power and create higher added value, Ahmet Öksüz pointed to the critical role of young designers and creative human resources. Ahmet Öksüz said, “We need young people who will shape the future of the sector. This is not a choice for our sector, but a historical responsibility. Together with our valuable designers, academicians and textile engineers, we will build a textile vision that is strengthened by design and branding and produces high added value.”
Stating that the high energy and motivation at the contest final gave hope for the future of the sector, Ahmet Öksüz continued his words as follows: “The enthusiasm we saw in this hall has been a very valuable source of motivation for our sector. We will continue our path by saying more production, more employment, more exports.”
“It Is Not Enough to Only Produce”
Speaking at the award ceremony, TIM President Mustafa Gültepe also drew attention to the strategic role of design in the future of the sector and said:
“For years, our textile and ready-wear sectors have formed the strongest pillars of Türkiye’s trade bridge with the world. However, now it is not enough to only produce to stand out in global competition; it is necessary to design value-added, innovative, sustainable and branded products. Futuretex reminds us that design goes beyond being an aesthetic element and is a fundamental component of innovation, sustainability and brand value. We see every support given to design as an investment in Türkiye’s global competitive power when combined with the creativity of our young talents. As TIM, we are determined to support design, young people and the innovation ecosystem; because it is their imagination and courage that will carry Turkish textiles and fashion among the world’s leading brands.”
Financial Awards and the Right to Study Abroad for the Winners
While İTHİB Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Fairs Committee Fatih Bilici served as the Jury President of the Contest; the Contest Coach was Özlem Kaya, and the jury members were Zekeriya Tanrıverdi, Vehbi Canpolat, Kemal Özhaseki, Kerem Gülle, Ahmet Altınöz, Nesrin Türkmen, Fırat Neziroğlu, Hilal Suerdem, Esra Çelikbaş Bayburtluoğlu, Kenan Saatçioğlu, Candan Gülmez, Banu Bora and Bengisu Demir.
In the final night of the contest, the first prize was presented as 300,000 TL, the second prize as 150,000 TL, and the third prize as 100,000 TL. This year, a contestant selected by the jury also received the Trendyol Jury Special Award worth 60,000 TL. Within the scope of the award, the contestant’s designs will be shaped together with the renowned designer Özlem Kaya and will be offered for sale in the virtual store that Trendyol will open for the contestant. All income obtained from the store sales will be transferred directly to the contestant.
Within the scope of the contest’s education- and development-focused support, the top three finalists won the right to study abroad, 6 months of foreign language education, and the right to visit an international fair determined by ITHIB. In addition, 10 finalists will have the opportunity to take scholarship courses at the Istanbul Fashion Academy.
