The record number of visitors included 4,091 international delegates from the EU, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the Americas. This is a 43.7% increase in the number of international visitors compared to the previous edition in March.

The delegation also included representatives from 29 companies based in the Dominican Republic, who attended the fair for the first time, accompanied by the country’s ambassador.

The overall number of visitors was also up 10% compared to the third edition of Texhibition.

Taking place from 13-15 September 2023 at the Istanbul Expo Centre, the event attracted 444 textile and fashion exhibitors presenting products across 15,000 sqm of space. High-profile exhibitors included Almoda, Kipaş and Bossa.

Just Style was also in attendance, noting the country's recovery from February's earthquakes and opportunities for growth.

Texhibition also included a showcase of upcoming trends for autumn/winter 2024-25, curated by Turkish designer Idil Tarzi. Each of the eight key trends identified touched upon the relationship between people and the environment.

Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (ITHIB)’s chairman of the board Ahmet Öksüz comments: “Turkish exports recorded a volume of $123.4 bn in the first half of this year. This means that the Turkish textile industry, as the fifth-largest supplier in the world and the second-largest supplier in the EU, can hold its own in a difficult global market environment.

“With a volume of €31bn, the textile and apparel industry is the second-largest exporter in the country. Türkiye accounts for about 3.5% of global textile exports, and 16 per cent of imports into the EU come from here. There are reasons for this: Türkiye is one of the few countries that covers the entire value chain. As one of the most important players in the global textile market, Türkiye is home to around 20,000 companies with 1.1m employees, including one of the largest denim producers in the world. Turkish fabrics and textile accessories are in demand worldwide thanks to their high quality, innovation and commitment to sustainability in production. Textile exports reached $6bn in the first half of 2023’’

ITHIB’s vice president of the board Fatih Bilici added: “We received positive feedback in terms of exhibitors and visitors of our fair, which we organized for the fourth time in September. Texhibition Istanbul contributes to the sector’s value-added production, branding, quality production, increased investment and export.

“Texhibition Istanbul as a brand fair is growing up for the next time. In March we plan to expand the exhibition area to five halls, one hall will be reserved for the yarn product group.”

The fifth Texhibition event will take place from 6-8 March in 2024. Exhibitors will again be asked to meet sustainability criteria in order to secure a place within the limited exhibition space.