IFCO: digital and sustainable revolution

The seventh edition of IFCO (Istanbul Fashion Connection), held from 5 to 8 February 2025, was a real turning point for the entire fashion industry in Türkiye. With 33,788 visitors from 151 countries, the event demonstrated how the country is rapidly evolving from a simple manufacturing hub to a global player thanks to its push towards digitisation and sustainability. Exhibitions such as IFCO Kids, focusing on ecologically produced kidswear, and TheCore Istanbul, an exclusive platform for upcoming designers and established brands that presented collections under the banner of innovation and respect for the environment, fostered strategic exchanges with international buyers and increased the visibility of Made in Türkiye.

ITKIB President Mustafa Gültepe clearly expressed the ambitious vision of the industry: “Türkiye is a major player in world fashion. With experience, cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, we are transforming our country into an international brand of excellence. Our goal is to make Istanbul a global fashion hub, and IFCO plays a crucial role in this revolution.” These words underline the importance of digital transformation to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness. A key role in this is played by the Metamorphosis Project, co-financed by the EU and the Turkish government. The project, aimed at increasing digital competitiveness and adopting environmentally sustainable production practices, has already trained numerous SME representatives and provided over 100 environmental testing services. Meanwhile, ITKIB’s Digital Transformation Center (DDM), with its more than 70 SIRI digital maturity assessments, offers customised training and advice to companies, facilitating their integration into the global value chain.

At the same time, Ekoteks confirms itself as an indispensable pillar of sustainable transformation. Founded in 1998, Ekoteks holds the internationally recognised TS EN ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Thanks to its numerous laboratory divisions and a team of experts, the company runs rigorous tests on fabrics, sewn products and accessories, serving more than 3,000 local and international companies. The innovative technologies used raise quality and safety standards, while on-the-job courses and studies on organic cotton help to promote eco-friendly textile practices and global recognition of Turkish cotton. Alongside all this, the Istanbul Moda Academy (İMA) stands out for its commitment to advanced training in digital design and circular production. In collaboration with the London College of Fashion, İMA offers innovative training programmes that prepare future designers to compete at global level. With the largest fashion library in Türkiye and a campus equipped with the latest technology, the academy is a key pillar for the country’s textile industry. In synergy with projects such as Metamorphosis, the academy has developed courses ranging from 3D product development to the creation of digital avatars, including predictive analysis and machine learning applied to fashion. Involving 125 representatives from SMEs, these programmes strengthen the digital skills needed to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive market.

In addition to the trade showcase, the extensive programme of seminars and conferences addressed topical issues such as trends, the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on fashion marketing, and strategies for the effective digitisation of production processes. In particular, the Mindscape concept, developed in collaboration with İMA, combined science, technology and spirituality, emphasising the importance of an integrated approach that promotes personal development and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead to the eighth edition scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 August 2025, Türkiye continues to invest in innovative and sustainable projects, demonstrating that the future of fashion inevitably passes through digitisation and the adoption of responsible practices.