Istanbul Preps for Its Fashion Spotlight

ISTANBUL — This city, which has for centuries inspired poets and writers with its sense of aesthetics, energy and color, is capitalizing on that heritage to draw global fashion trendsetters for the fifth annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul. Launched in 2009 as Istanbul Fashion Week, the organization joined forces with IMG Dogus, a joint venture in promoting cultural and sports projects, and Mercedes-Benz in March 2013 for shows twice a year, snagging a prestigious slot after Paris Fashion Week. “Compared primarily with New York, Berlin, Madrid and Zurich fashion shows, where Mercedes-Benz has been the title sponsor of fashion weeks, Istanbul has its unique qualities,” said Banu Bölen, director of IMG Dogus Fashion. “Istanbul reflects energy not only in terms of its cultural and historical riches, but also its young and creative population, drawing professionals of culture, arts and design.” This year’s MBFWI will run five days, from March 16 to 21, during which more than 40 prominent Turkish designers including Özgür Masur, Zeynep Tosun, Mehtap Elaidi and Niyazi Erdogan will share the spotlight to showcase their latest collections. Designers will be based at Karaköy Antrepo 7, a converted tobacco warehouse at the city’s historic waterfront, to display their fall collections as well as

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