Istanbul hosts its first Islamic Fashion Fair. The fair, which opened its doors Thursday and will continue until Oct. 4, features prominent Turkish brands that appeal most to secular society
Wearing a veil has been one of the hottest topics on Turkey’s agenda over the past year, especially between the secular and the religious. And with the conservative Justice and Development Party, or AKP, ruling the state, the arguments have escalated.
The first Turkish Islamic Clothes, Fashion and Accessories Fair, which opened its doors at Istanbul Expo Center on Oct. 1, seems that it will bring the topic to the agenda again. The fair gathers veil producers, retail dealers, wholesalers and foreign Islamic clothes importers.
During this fair, the trends of Islamic fashion for 2010 will be displayed. The participating firms and fashion designers have the chance to promote their new pieces at stands and through fashion shows. There will also be a competition, allowing designers and firms to participate with creations for 2010, such as scarves, veils and coats.
The fair expects to host 3,000 foreign professional visitors and 12,000 local visitors. Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United States, France and Germany are among the participating countries.
At the fair there are Turkish brands that appeal mostly to the secular society of Turkey, such as Vakko. The brand, which opened in the 60s and is known for its modern designs, is operating a scarf stand at the fair.
The officials of the brand did not want to talk about their participation in the Islamic fashion fair yet one of them, who did not want to reveal her name, said it wouldn’t be proper if the brand’s name is mentioned with this fair. When asked why they are a part of the fair, the woman said, “We opened a stand here because the veil now has a market value and we have to follow the latest developments and trends in this market.”
No handshaking
The fashion shows at the fair showcase the latest trends in headscarves, burqas and scarves with the most famous models. Among them was Şenay Akay, considered one of Turkey’s top models, who often appears in tabloids showing her lifestyle and what she wears. “Akay, during this fashion fair, does not prefer to speak to the media,” said Hüseyin Aslan, the general manager of the organizing firm, Demos Fair and Organization.
Other than the models and officials of the brands that have stands at the fair, visitors do not want to talk either. And furthermore, men avoid any kind of contact with women. Some women who reached out to men to shake hands had their hands left hanging in the air.
At the fair there is great interest from the Muslim world, especially from Jordan and Thailand.
According to Aslan, the biggest aim in opening this fair is to promote the Turkish textile sector to foreign countries through burqas. “We intend to establish a place in the world market with this fair. Another aim of ours is to meet the needs of the Muslims living in Europe,” he said.
Noting that the textile sector produces more quality goods each year, Aslan said, “The burqa is a market around the world and Turkey could be a leader in this market.”
Aslan thinks that there is no conflict over the veil and scarf issue in Turkey, and he believes that interest in the burqa, just like sales, are the same compared to past years. “The interest in the burqa has neither increased, nor declined,” Aslan said.
Burqini, the new trend
One of the most attractive stands at the fair belongs to Haşema Tekstil (Burqini Textile). A burqini is a swimming suit version of the burqa and it is designed to hide the lines of the body. Esra Çelik, who has designed burqinis for nearly 10 years, said: “I don’t wear a burqa or use a scarf to cover my hair, but designing burqinis makes me happy. It is a new field in the textile sector and it enables me to design freely.”
Çelik said there is great interest in burqinis not only from Turkish and Arabic people but also from Muslims living in Europe. The textile company sometimes has a hard time meeting demand.
Çelik said Turkey’s secular society and the western world are biased about the burqa. “I find the arguments really trivial. Let people wear what they want,” she said.
There are also many foreign brands operating stands at the fair. Bob Singal, from Thailand, is one of them. It is his second time in Turkey and he is happy that such a fair could be opened in Istanbul. “Turkey is a modern country that connects East and West. Being a bridge between East and West brings many interesting characters. There are both modern-looking people and there are people who are wearing a burqa. It is a colorful country.”
Elyas Kapall is another participator. He is from Morocco but has been living in Paris for many years now. He also thinks that it is good to have this fair in Istanbul. “Turkey brings differences to the Muslim world. It is a richness that this Muslim country sets as an example,” he said.
Nurin Kaan, from Dubai, was another visitor. She said she liked the idea of having an Islamic fashion fair in Istanbul but she said she found the designs inadequate.
Besides the regular wear garments, there will also be bridal dresses, nightgowns and children’s clothing.
