Anna Kournikova helps open Istanbul Fashion Week

Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) began yesterday with a ceremony honoring the winners of the Istanbul Textile and Confection Exporters' Union's (ITKIB) Koza Young Fashion Designers' Contest. State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Caglayan and former Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, now a model, also attended the ceremony. Istanbul, already known as a center of finance and information technology, should also become also a fashion hub, Caglayan told the ceremony. The ready-wear and textile sector is one of the most important factors in promoting Turkey worldwide, he said. Running through Saturday, the IFW will feature fashion shows spotlighting famous brands as well as solo and group fashion shows from specific designers. Among the designers whose works will be on the catwalk are Bahar Korcan, Arzu Kaprol, Ozlem Suer, Hatice Gokce, Mehtap Elaidi, Gamze Saracoglu, Deniz Mercan, Atil Kutoglu, Ozgur Masur, Simay Bulbul, Ozlem Kaya, Gunseli Turkay, and Bora Aksu. The IFW is organized by the Fashion Designers Association, United Brands Association, Istanbul Fashion Academy and Collection Premiere Istanbul as part of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture events.