Istanbul Aydın University Fashion Design Program celebrated its 20th anniversary with a magnificent event.
IAU Anadolu Bil Vocational School Fashion Design Program hosted a special exhibition themed “Spread Your Style Wings” as part of the year-end activities. The event, which took place at the university’s Florya Halit Aydın Campus, attracted great attention befitting the 20th year of the Fashion Design Program.
In this special gathering that brought together professionals from the fashion world, academics, graduates and students, the projects of graduates and students were exhibited. Curated by Gurmen Group, the creator of the RAMSEY brand, the exhibition showcased creative collections shaped with a sectoral perspective. Participants had the opportunity to closely experience the visions of young designers through works prepared in the language of contemporary design.
“Adana” Themed Graduation Projects Exhibited
This year’s graduation project theme is “City of the Sun, Heart of Fire: Adana”, which was chosen as this year’s graduation project theme, stood out as the product of a disciplined process carried out throughout the academic year. The collections, which were inspired by Adana’s cultural codes in processes such as design, mold, sewing and printing, attracted attention with their creativity and technical equipment.
In addition, classic and design men’s vests prepared in collaboration with RAMSEY were among the prominent pieces in the exhibition. These works attracted great interest from visitors as a concrete example of the strong cooperation between the industry and academia.
20 Years Journey of the Fashion Design Celebrated
The “20th Anniversary Alumni Gathering and Chickpea Rice Day” event held after the exhibition brought together alumni, academics and industry representatives with the design journey of the fashion design program from past to present. While the event attracted attention with its friendly atmosphere, the re-established ties between graduates and academicians underlined that education is a lifelong journey.
Program that Initiated with Final Collection and Opening Speeches
The opening speeches of the event were delivered by IAU Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın, ABMYO Director and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çıkırıkçı, Head of Fashion Design Department Lect. Prof. Dr. Nihal Bolkol, TİHCAD Chairman Ergin Aydın, Board Member Esra Akpınar and MHGF Board Member, DETGİS President Mukaddes Başkaya.
In the speeches, qualified graduates, academic achievements and original production that the fashion design program has brought to the sector in its 20-year history were emphasized. IAU Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın’s video message prepared specially for the program was also watched with interest by the participants. The screening of the university’s promotional movie and the documentary on the success stories of the graduates was the scene of emotional moments.
The event was also attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Zafer Aslan, ABMYO Vice Director Dr. Lecturer. Prof. Dr. Güven Özdemir, GURMEN GROUP Model Shop Manager Feray Sarıkçı, academic staff of the university, sector representatives and many graduates attended the event.
Inspiring Graduation Stories
Graduates Çiğdem Soygül, Suhde Karadurmuş Türkmen and Şaban Taban, who are actively working in the sector, shared their post-education career journeys with the participants. These experiences, which inspired young designers, attracted great interest.
Creativeness Encouraged in the Workshops
Within the scope of the event, a printed cloth bag sewing workshop was organized in the workshop area established in cooperation with SINGER. Participants experienced the excitement of being involved in the handmade production process. In addition, special badges and badges prepared with the patented logo of the fashion design program were presented to the graduates.
Since 2013, within the scope of the collaborations with the Fashion Ready-to-Wear Federation and TİHCAD, contributions were made to graduation projects and many sustainability-themed panels were organized. The “Spread Your Style Wings” exhibition and the 20th anniversary events once again demonstrated the point reached by these collaborations.
It was emphasized that the program will continue to inspire the fashion professionals of the future with its educational approach that encourages creativity and the strong ties it has established with the industry.
