The EIB Fashion Design Contest, organised by the Aegean Exporters’ Association, marked its 20th anniversary with a special event. The “In the Footsteps of Design – 20th Year EIB Fashion Design Contest Launch” was held at the Historical Gas Factory within the scope of the Create in İzmir EXPO. The programme highlighted the contest’s contributions to the Turkish fashion ecosystem over the past two decades and its impact on the development of design culture.
The launch event was moderated by Fashion Designer Simay Bülbül. Speakers included Burak Sertbaş, President of the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters’ Association; Tuğba Hazar, Chair of the EIB Fashion Design Contest Organising Committee and Member of the EHKİB Board; Esin Özyiğit, President of İzmir Fashion Designers Association; Fashion Designer Özlem Erkan; and Nazlı Terzioğlu, Mentor of the 20th EIB Fashion Design Contest. Participants discussed the contest’s role in the sector, its contribution to young designers’ career journeys, and the growing design culture in the region.
Design emphasised as a driver of export value
EHKİB President Burak Sertbaş noted that the contest has played a major role in building a design ecosystem within the ready-to-wear industry. Highlighting the progress of previous finalists in the sector, Sertbaş stated that this demonstrates the lasting impact of the contest. He emphasised that design has become a strategic investment for global competitiveness and invited young designers to apply, underlining the importance of sustainability, innovation, and developing an original design language.
International education opportunity for finalists
Organising Committee Chair Tuğba Hazar underlined that finalists receive a one-year international fashion education abroad, supported by Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade. She noted that finalists can experience education and daily life in countries such as the USA, UK, and Italy, and that the contest provides valuable networking opportunities for young designers.
Role of design competitions highlighted
Moderator Simay Bülbül pointed to the intense competition in today’s design landscape shaped by social media and artificial intelligence. She stated that design competitions play an important role in distinguishing skilled designers from the broader crowd.
Fashion Designer Özlem Erkan said that the seeds of her own collections were planted after participating in the contest, describing the EIB Fashion Design Contest as one of Türkiye’s most prestigious design platforms. İzmir Fashion Designers Association President Esin Özyiğit shared insights into their efforts to strengthen design culture in İzmir.
A call to young designers
Contest mentor Nazlı Terzioğlu explained that they visit fashion schools and hold online meetings to increase participation each year. She highlighted that the contest provides young designers with valuable experience in interviews and presentations. Terzioğlu described this year’s theme, Illusia, as a perspective that questions the boundary between imagination and reality, offering designers the opportunity to merge the freedom of dreams with the functionality of real-life design.
Panel and workshop programmes held during the event
The “Design-to-Market” panel, held on the same day, focused on the journey from idea to product. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ender Bulgun Yazgan, Dean of İzmir University of Economics Faculty of Fashion Design. Panel speakers included Italian Designer Silvio Betterelli, Fashion Designer Simay Bülbül, Sun Textile Design Manager Fulya Peker Kutluk, Üniteks Design Manager Mehtap Yılmaz, and Refabric Co-Founder Begüm Doğru Öztekin.
A “Design-to-Market Workshop” for design students was also organised as part of the programme.
