Double award for IUE fashion designers

Success of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) graduates marked the 19th Aegean Exporters' Associations (EIB) Fashion Design Competition, organized this year by the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters' Association with the theme of ‘Global Nomad’. Sercan İzci, a graduate of IUE Department of Textile and Fashion Design, won first place with his collection named ‘Asıl Sahip’ (The True Owner), while Enes Yolcu came in second with his work ‘Arta Kalan’ (What's Left Behind). İzci and Yolcu, who achieved great success by being selected from numerous ambitious designs, received a cash prize as well as an overseas education scholarship. İzci and Yolcu, who had previously experienced the pride of winning first place in the Wedding Dress Design Competition held within the scope of IF Wedding Fashion, have now made their awards a series.
“INSPIRED BY NATIVE AMERICANS”
Stating that while preparing his collection named ‘The True Owner’, he was inspired by the struggle of Native Americans to preserve their own culture, in line with the competition's theme, and included motifs from that period, Sercan İzci said, “All four outfits in the collection were for women. My designs heavily featured washed denim fabrics and screen prints. I added different textures to existing fabrics. I went through a very intense preparation process. Frankly, after making it to the finals, I believed I would win an award. And it happened, I'm very happy. I plan to study in Europe using the overseas education scholarship I received in the competition. I believe this education will provide me with very valuable gains for my goals in the field of fashion.”
“NEEDLE LACES WERE MADE BY WOMEN FROM ODEMIS”
Enes Yolcu stated that he completed his collection after approximately 4 months of work, saying, “While preparing my designs, I was inspired by traditional Turkish culture. Cashmere fabrics, handicrafts, and needle laces stood out in my garments. It was an innovative and striking collection that combined the past with the present. I designed a total of 4 outfits, two for men and two for women. The needle laces were made by the women in Ödemiş. I put a lot of effort into every stage of the collection, and winning the award made me happy. I had a goal of pursuing a master's degree in fashion in Italy. Receiving the overseas education scholarship was excellent in that regard. I want to make the most of this opportunity and further develop myself. I thank everyone who deemed me worthy of this award.”