Turkish carpets brought 'fashion' award

Buse Ünal, a student in the Department Textile and Fashion Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), placed second in the 18th Aegean Exporters' Associations (EIB) Fashion Design Competition held this year. Creating a collection named ‘Rug Reverie’, inspired by the patterns of traditional Turkish carpets in the competition themed ‘Analog’, Ünal experienced the joy of receiving an award after three months of hard work.

The final night and award ceremony of the competition, organized by the Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Apparel Exporters' Association with the support of the Ministry of Commerce to bring young and innovative designers to the Turkish fashion industry, took place at the Historical Coal Gas Factory Cultural Center. IUE student Buse Ünal placed second among 10 successful designers in the competition and won a prize of 75,000 liras. Buse Ünal, a third-year student in the Department Textile and Fashion Design of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, received great acclaim for her extraordinary work.

MY MOTHER WAS INTERESTED IN ANTIQUES

Stating that receiving an award in such a prestigious and reputable competition made her proud, Ünal said, “I conducted a meticulous and comprehensive study on my collection for about three months. I did the handwork, embroidery, and prints in my designs myself. Especially my mother, who is interested in antiques, uses some old items or objects in our home. Besides the theme of the competition being ‘analog’, this also inspired me to think of old times. I focused on handcrafts and particularly the arts from the old periods. I examined the patterns of traditional Turkish carpets and decided to incorporate them into my designs. It turned out to be a collection exactly in the style I wanted. Receiving an award in return for my efforts is a very special and indescribable feeling for me”.

FIRST COMPETITION, FIRST AWARD

Expressing that this was the first time she participated in a competition and she received an award, Ünal said, “I would like to thank my professors who believed in me and helped me reach this point, and my family. I will continue my projects with the goal of making a difference in the field of fashion”.