When thinking of Türkiye, one of the first associations is its renowned leather quality. Türkiye's leather quality often surpasses that of even the notable Italian and Spanish leather industries, establishing the country as a formidable player in the global leather market. To further enhance this reputation and foster the next generation of talented designers in the footwear and leather sector, the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters' Association (IDMIB) hosts a prestigious annual competition aimed at encouraging new talent.
Leather is more than just a material; it represents a significant sector in Türkiye, which boasts a leather export market worth $1.5 billion. IDMIB members are responsible for 70% of this total export.
Given this context, the competition organized by IDMIB is of substantial importance for the industry, catalyzing innovation and growth. Last year, the focus was on shoe design, whereas this year's competition revolved around leather apparel and accessories. In a recent meeting, we spoke with fashion designer Gamze Saraçoğlu, the creative director of the competition, and Emel Güven Bardız, a board member of IDMIB, to delve deeper into the details of this year's event.
This year’s competition, aptly named "Detail," features two categories: apparel design and bag design. Bardız emphasized that the competition not only rewards innovative designs but also plays a critical role in nurturing emerging talents who show promise for the ind.