A fulminant show By Erol Albayrak opened CPI ISTANBUL on the eve. Extravagant fashion, fascinating models and great music contributed to a moody start of the fair. 

 

9.168 expert visitors came from more than 20 countries, even Canadian, Dutch Spanish and Australian buyers have been registered. Most came from Turkey and 20 % foreign visitors attended CPI ISTANBUL. From part of exhibitors it was noted that new contacts have been made with Iran, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. 

 

Especially for the international brands showing at CPI ISTANBUL the focus is being set on Turkish retailers. But they affirmed that CPI ISTANBUL as a bridge to all neighboring countries is valuable for opening new markets. Turkey in general as the most booming market in Europe and with one of the youngest population in the world, their growing spendings for fashion is most attractive for fashion brands. One of the big players in the retail market in Turkey is YKM with 62 different stores in Turkey and Iraq. They will within shortly open 10 new stores and just opened at the new Marmara Forum, one of the biggest shopping malls in Turkey. Not their biggest store, but even so over 6.000 sq. m. on two floors. As their target group are young professionals, Mervé Akün as womenswear buyer from YKM was searching for new brands at CPI ISTANBUL. 

 

Many leading associations of the sector including Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Assocation, United Brands Association, Shopping Centers and Retailers’ Association, Turkish Knitwear Industrialists Association, Osmanybey Textile Businessmen Association, Laleli Industrialists and Businessmen Association, Turkish Fashion and Ready Made Clothing Federation, Ankara Textile Manufacturers Association, Ege Textile industrialists Association give their support to CPI. 

 

A special highlight at CPI represented Turkish designers like Simay Bülbül with her exquisite collection in finest leather, Ürün Grubu with a this year’s art déco inspired collection, the sexy feminine dresses from Erol Alba Yrak, the purist Issever Bahri with smart styles. Special attraction offered also LINIST FASHION BERLINISTANBUL. Initiator Gülriz Eglimez from Berlin was very happy about this participation and made excellent contacts for the designers showing at CPI. For next year she is planning more activities and is already full of energy for something new. 

 

Özhan Carda, Deputy General Manager, CNR EXPO expressed his satisfaction about the first CPI ISTANBUL at CNR fairgrounds. ‚It is a promising start, with dynamism we shall continue to establish CPI ISTANBUL as one of the leading trade shows. Our inspiring example is CPM Moscow and we are aware that the first steps are always the hardest but in this trio team CNR, ITKIB and IGEDO we shall be successful.’ M. Cem ALTAN, member of board ITKIB and being the leading head at ITKIB for CPI says: ‚I consider this CPI as ‚baby born’ with the three of us. We all together have power and strength and every one will contribute to a bright future of CPI ISTANBUL.’ 

 

Preparations for next CPI ISTANBUL are starting and an important decision has already been taken: 

 

CPI ISTANBUL and ISTANBUL FASHION WEEK will run alongside again in February 2012. Both events will profit of the synergies. Istanbul will again attract national and international visitors as well as media representatives who welcome the amalgamation of both events.