“European Capital of Culture 2010” – a name given to Istanbul by the European Union this year enabling the city to showcase its cultural development. Its main objective during the third season of Istanbul Fashion Week? To show the world that it was a serious contender as a fashion capital of the world. Held over the course of five days from August 24–28, notable featured designers included Bora Asku, Arzu Kaprol, Bahar Korcan, as well as the week’s stand out show by Zeynep Tosun, who held together an easily distinguishable and defined collection. Exhibiting at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art as part of IFW, Dice Kayek’s Istanbul Contrast was a further highlight. Previously shown in Paris, it featured 12 structured dresses designed in response to Istanbul’s architecture, which magically floated in a darkened room divided by varying levelled backdrops.
Text and Photography by Zoe Maughan
