Istanbul has come a long way in establishing itself as a fashion destination, considering that in 2008, Istanbul Fashion Week was only a fashion lab. Today is has the support of its title sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, and was attended by over 20,000 visitors who flocked to Turkey’s capital four-day event. With conversations around inclusivity dominating the fashion industry in recent years, the theme of Spring/Summer 2020 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul was fitting: #Together. Held at the Zorlu Performing Arts Center on October 8-11, 2019, it marked the 10th anniversary of MBFW Istanbul, where guests admired collections as well as participated in conversations centered around the industry’s shifting values.
A mix of seasoned and emerging designers showcased their collections, and for the first time,“Pioneering Designers”, a selection of up-and-coming designers, presented their work in group fashion shows. Among those was Turkish-based Armenian designer Emre Pakel, who founded his label in June 2018 just five months after winning the Koza Young Fashion Designer Award, a ‘prestigious Turkish fashion contest and Aegean export union designers contest’. Fast forward to present day, this season Pakel presented his spring-summer 2020 collection, titled "Pakel Cooperation", which channels Japanese street style in response to Hollywood fashion.
Mercedes-Benz Türk, the Turkish outpost of German automobile company, chose to support emerging Turkish designer Kadir Kılıç and his brand MiiN, with the “Mercedes-Benz presents Miin by Kadir Kılıç” runway show of his Spring/Summer 2020 collection. Kılıç, an alumnus of Işık University as well as Polimoda International Institute of Fashion Design & Marketing, presented a collection that was a radical departure from MiiN’s core black-and-white aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from the work of abstract expressionists, Kılıç infused color and texture into a timeless collection that spanned all seasons. MiiN’s usual minimalist color palette was shaken up by hints of baby blue, pastel pink, lilac and mints, as well as vibrant neons of yellow, green and blue. From graphic printed pant-suits and neon orange translucent jackets, to metallic silver rain jackets and navy-blue coats speckled with glitter, the collection balances timeless style with ergonomics and functionality.
