TURKISH CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION
THE 7TH ISTANBUL FASHION CONFERENCE
MAY 8-9 2014
SHANGRI-LA BOSPHORUS, ISTANBUL
THE 7TH ISTANBUL FASHION CONFERENCE
HOSTED THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE FASHION
INDUSTRY
Hosted by the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association, the 7th Istanbul Fashion Conference took
place with the participation of 700 individuals from both Turkey and abroad. Attendees included leaders
of the industry that have revolutionized the world of fashion, as well as the CEOs and Executive Board
Directors of world-renowned brands.
The conference was held on May 8, 2014 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus Hotel. During his speech at
the opening ceremony, TGSD President Cem Negrin underlined the necessity of reducing interest
rates so that export levels could be increased.
He also revealed that decreasing credit card limits has led to a
shrinkage of the internal market and emphasized that in order for
exports to increase, the Euro-to-TL exchange rate should be lower than
3. Negrin continued: “With this conference, our objective is to create
new purchasing agreements in order to develop our sector. We have
turned Istanbul into a center of attraction for the fashion and apparel
industry. Turkey has achieved 18 billion dollars in exports. We export
75 percent of this to the Euro zone alone. However, this corresponds
to only 7 percent of products purchased by European countries. With
this in mind, we have a lot to cover. Confidence in the internal market,
the easing of visa requirements, opening new malls and developing
Turkish brands are among the factors that have contributed to a sales
increase to 52 billion TL and to the increase of organized retail to 34
billion TL in 2013. We offer the trendiest products to Europe through
successful collections that we produce faster than the Far East. The top
10 countries that we export to include: Germany, the United Kingdom,
Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Iraq, Denmark, the United States
and Russia, respectively. We have to have the necessary means to increase our export levels to the USA.
Reducing the Euro to an exchange rate below 3 TL would pose a significant challenge to exporters. We
expect interest rates would drop.”
Uniqlo chooses Turkey for its European production
One of the most distinguished guests of the conference was
Yoshihiro Kunii, Group Executive Vice President of the
Japanese conglomerate UNIQLO Group. He expressed their
plans to establish an office in Turkey in order to expand to
the global market and indicated they would like to develop
their business in Europe through Turkey. He stated: “We
respect Turkey. We are here for the long term and for a
genuine partnership.”
Known for the distinctive collection themes they produce each
season, Uniqlo's Yoshihiro Kunii commented: “Uniqlo’s
production volume is 1 billion. We carry out the majority of our
production overseas. In October, we will open an office in Turkey and will move forward into Europe from
here. Our aim is to increase our production volume five-fold. In 2013, we produced 1 Billion units, but we
have to ramp it up to 5 billion. Turkey will become our 5th production office after India, China, South
America and Asia. We would like to develop our business activities in Europe through Turkey. We
respect Turkey very much: you create fashion for the EU and the USA. We are learning a lot from you.
We would like to create high quality fashion products together with you in order to sustain a long-term,
genuine partnership.” In addition to this comment, he delivered several other important messages.
Kunii also indicated that by 2020 they would like to achieve their goal of 50 Billion US Dollars in sales as
well as opening one thousand stores each year on average; he added that they currently have 1427 stores in
16 different countries, and of these, 20 stores are located in Europe. Kunii said: “We have 7 brands. Uniqlo
is our main brand and makes up 30 percent of our group. Last year, our total business volume was equal to
14 billion US dollars and on average we grow 20 percent each year. We are the 3rd largest company in the
world. We aim to reach 50 billion dollars by 2020. We produce high technology products. For us, quality
is much more important than price. You may lower the price, but you may never reduce the quality.”
“The Woolmark Company brought together famous
fashion writer and historian Colin McDowell, Creative
Director Sofia Neophitou, and the popular designer of
Italian fashion, Antonio Berardi, in Istanbul.
“Using fabrics made out of innovative Merino wool in
his designs while highlighting natural lines, Antonio
Berardi also brings out feminine shapes.” With
contributions by The Woolmark Company, the 7th
Istanbul Fashion Conference hosted Italian Designer
Antonio Berardi, who has dressed celebrities such as
Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Amy Adams,
Madonna, Anne Hathaway, Zoe Saldana, Beyonce,
Diane Kruger, Kate Hudson and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, as one of the keynote speakers.
As a sponsor of Istanbul Fashion Conference since its inception, Cotton Council International and Cotton
Incorporated Turkey Director Marsha Powell shared the results of a study that examined the shopping
habits of Turkish customers.
Another keynote speaker, Luxury Brand Manager
PGDS Consulting President Prof. Dr. Piergiorgio
Dal Santo, delivered an important message to
brand representatives with his speech, “What Can
Be Learnt From Luxury.” He listed the factors that
distinguish luxury brands as the following: long-
term market presence, staying loyal to the
company’s DNA and history, classifying sales,
product quality and limited variety, the
development of new products, building trust by
realizing promises, having close contacts with
consumers and the development of not only online
capabilities but physical capabilities as well. The
cities in which luxury consumption levels are high are New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong.
The speech made by Coface Insurance General Manager and Executive Board Member Belkıs E.
Alpergun attracted attention as well. One of the sponsors of TGSD, his speech“Some Like Red’’ was a
presentation on the advantages of Risk Monitoring and Commercial Assets Insurance that his company
provides to other companies. Alpergun provided a country risks map prepared by Coface and indicated that
the countries shown in red pose commercial risks even though they are attractive in other ways. She
underlined that information and asset risk management is significant to conducting reliable trade with these
countries.
The Second Generation Effect on the
Fashion Industry Session, sponsored
by the Republic of Turkey Prime
Ministry Investment Support and
Promotion Agency,
was moderated by Gülden Yılmaz,
KOTON Executive Board Member and
TGSD Vice President.
Session speaker MUDO Executive
Board Member Ömer Taviloğlu
included the slogan “At work, what is
chance? Do what you love, work with
the one you love!” Meanwhile, Aytemizler Textile Executive Board
Chairperson Ahmet Aytemiz used the
slogan, “More imagination for the
brands of the future, a new vision,” and Kiğılı Vice CEO Sena Suerdem gave her speech using the
slogan ‘’…..UP?’’, attracted the attention of the entire audience. Kığılı Executive Board Chairperson
and CEO Abdullah Kiğılı, who came to watch his granddaughter Sena Suerdem, moved the audience
as well.
Another conference sponsor, VODAFONE Turkey Corporate Marketing Director Ebru Özgüç’s short,
engaging presentation explained VODAFONE’s digital transformation solutions designed specifically for
the apparel sector.
Following a promotional five-minute film by NEBİM, another sponsor that creates computer software
related to the retail sector, the Session on Procurement began, which was especially anticipated by
producer-retailer company representatives.
David Shepherd, the COO of Arcadia Group,
which includes top brands such as Topshop,
Topman, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins,
Burton Menswear London, BHS, Outfit and Evans
reflected
on the changing dynamics of fashion while sharing
his experiences.
Arcadia Group also participated in the Session on
Procurement, which was moderated by Spring Near
East Manufacturing Executive Board Member and
General Manager as well as TGSD Executive
Board Member Esra Ercan Taşören. Arcadia
COO David Shepherd, Head of Supplier Jemie Berks, and Head of Group Sourcing Joanne Soulsby
were all closely followed by the participants.
After this, the Session entitled, "50 Shades of
Creating Values," sponsored by TEB
Faktoring A.Ş., began.
The first speaker, MediaSa Executive Board
Chairperson Demet Sabancı Çetindoğan, noted
that the most significant issue related to creating
an international brand is being sponsored by the
state during her speech entitled, ‘’A country brand
is stronger than one single brand."
The Former President of FCI and a current Executive Board member, Financial Corporations Union
Executive Board Member and TEB Faktoring A.Ş.
General Manager Çağatay Baydar also participated in
the 7th Istanbul Fashion Conference as a speaker. As
one of conference sponsors, he stressed that their aims
are to guarantee textile exports through factoring;
collect and provide management capital; and
generate values for our country by contributing to
the development and growth of both the textile
sector and our national trade levels.
50 Shades of Creating Values Session, sponsored
by TEB Faktoring A.Ş., convened with the moderation of General Manager Suat Soysal.
Session speakers Penti Executive Board Director
Sami Kariyo presented under the title: "’Production
and Retail: Is Vertical Integration Possible?’’, while
Türkven Genel General Manager Seymur Tarı used:
‘’Your Dreams Won’t Come True If You Don’t
Dream.” Both speakers shared their knowledge and
experiences, which were both enjoyable and
meaningful.
NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES GENERATED DURING
THE 7TH ISTANBUL FASHION CONFERENCE WITH 35
FOREIGN EXTERNAL PURCHASING OFFICES
PARTICIPATING IN THE B2B – BILATERAL BUSINESS
MEETINGS
The B2B – Bilateral business meetings,
which took place on May 9, 2014, were again
a huge success this year.Meetings were held
between purchase groups and suppliers at
the Shangri-la Bosphorus Istanbul Ballroom
at specially-designed booths and meeting
tables.
Purchasing Offices that Participated in the B2B Bilateral Business Meetings This
Year: ABİTEKS TEKSTİL SAN. ve TİC.A.Ş., ABM GİYİM, ANT DIŞ TİCARET, BESTSELLER TEKSTİL,
BIS TEXTILES, C&A SOURCING CARREFOUR, CHERRYFIELD SESBY, COLVETA AG, COMAB
SAS, CONNOR, CONTEX, EDPA TEKSTİL TİCARET A.Ş., EL CORTE INGLES LIAISON OFFICE
TURKEY, FRENCH CONNECTION, GEORGE TEDARIK HİZMETLERİ, GROUPE BEAUMANOIR,
HERMES OTTO INTERNATIONAL, H&M, ISTANBUL SOURCING , K+L RUPPERT, MİNO
TEKSTİL, MODATİMKAR, MONTANA İTHALAT İHRACAT DANIŞMANLIK, N11, NOVATEKS,
PERSEUS TEKSTİL DIŞ TİCARET LTD., RSR TEKS.İTH.İHR.VE MÜM.SAN.VE TİC.LTD.ŞTİ.,
SONGUR MÜMESSİLLİK, SPRING NEAR EAST MANUFACTURİNG CO. LTD., TESCO KIPA,
TEKSPERT TİC., TUREKS İTH.İHR.VE TİC A.Ş., ULTİMO LTD .
Local Brands that Participated in the B2B Bilateral Business Meetings: KIĞILI, KOTON, LC WAIKIKI, ROMAN, SUVARİ
The companies that came with the support of the Ministry of Finance also drew interest during the
bilateral business meetings. In particular, FINATEX-Finland Textile and Apparel Industry Federation
CEO Anna-Kaisa Auvinen attended the meetings to discuss the possibilities of cooperation between
Finland and Turkey.
Foreign companies that participated in the event included: Cluster Facts, Jasmil Doo Company, Ivatex
Doo Company, AMC Doo Company and Charles Vögele.
7th ISTANBUL FASHION CONFERENCE OPENING
DINNER AND
TGSD 38TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The opening reception and dinner for the 7th Istanbul Fashion Conference, organized May 8-9 2014 at the
Shangri-La Bosphorus in Istanbul, took place with the participation of speakers, sponsors, purchasing
offices, association union presidents, executive board members and former TGSD Presidents. As the
event coincided with the 38th anniversary of the founding of Turkish Clothing and Manufacturers
Association, a 38th Anniversary cake was cut in front of the honored guests.
TGSD CELEBRATED ITS 38th ANNIVERSARY WITH A CAKE ON OPENING NIGHT
7th ISTANBUL FASHION CONFERENCE
Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul
08 May 2014 Thursday 1st Day
08:30-09:00 Welcome and Registration
09:00-09:30 Opening Speeches
Cem Negrin – President of TGSD
09:30-10:00 Key-Note :UNIQLO
Yoshihiro Kunii, Group Executive Vice President Production
10:00-10:45 Antonio Berardi, importance of Merinos Wool for his designs
By the Woolmark Company
Sofia Neophitou - Editor in Chief and Publisher of 10 Magazine and
10 Men Magazine
Moderator: Colin McDowell – Journalist and Historian
10:45-11:05 Coffee Break
11:05-11:20 Marsha Powell – Turkey Program Director of Cotton Council
International and Cotton Incorporated
11:20-11:50 High Brand Management
Prof. Dr. Piergiorgio Dal Santo - PGDS Consulting, President
11:50-12:00 Belkıs E. Alpergun – COFACE Insurance Company Board Member,
General Manager
“Some like it red”
12:00-13:00 Second Generation Effect in the Fashion Industry
Moderatör: Gülden Yılmaz – KOTON – Board Member
Ömer Taviloğlu – MUDO – Board Member
Ahmet Aytemiz – AYTEMİZLER TEKSTİL – Chairman of the Board
“More imagination and a new vision for future brands”
Sena Suerdem – Kiğılı – Deputy CEO
“.. UP?”
13:00-13:05 Arda Ermut - Prime Ministry Investment Agency - Vice President
13:05-14:00 Lunch / Networking
14:00-14:30 Key Note: Luigi D Orsogna Bucci - TOM Ford International
MTM (Made to Measure) Manager Moderator: Vittorio Zagaia - Galata Transportation Vice Chairman and CEO
14:30-14:35 Ebru Özgüç - Vodafone Turkey Corporate Marketing Director
14:35-14:40 NEBIM
14:40-15:40 Supply Session
Key-Note: David Shepherd – Arcadia COO Moderator: Esra Ercan Taşören – Managing Director at Spring NearEast Sourcing and
Manufacturing
Jon Bennett - Arcadia Group Sourcing Director
Jamie Beck - Head Of Supplier Management at Arcadia Group Ltd.
15:40-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-16:05 Çağatay Baydar- TEB Faktoring A.Ş., General Manager,
'Create value by factoring, reaching of export target for 2023'
16:05-17:05 50 shades of Value Creation (with the contributions of TEB Faktoring A.Ş) Moderator: Suat Soysal – Soysal Consulting General Manager
Sami Kariyo –Penti – Chairman of The Board
“Manifacturing and retail: Is vertical integration possible”
Seymur Tarı –CEO of Türkven “If you don’t dream your dreams won’t come true” Demet Sabancı Çetindoğan- MediaSa – Chairman of The Board '' What's wrong with a brand, there is the sound of country brand''
09 May 2014 Friday 2nd Day
10:00 - 11:00 B2B Meetings
Producers and buyers come together with appointment system platform
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30 B2B Meetings
Producers and buyers come together with appointment system platform
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch / Networking
13:30 – 15:30 B2B Meetings
Producers and buyers come together with appointment system platform
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 18:00 B2B Meetings
Producers and buyers come together with appointment system platform
We would like to thank all of our sponsors, who have supported
us during the 7th Istanbul Fashion conference.
Please visit our website www.tgsd.org.tr for detailed information about the conference and to view
conference photos.
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