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Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Destry Damayanti, described Istanbul as “one of the best places in the world for textile and ready-to-wear industries,” highlighting the city’s strategic value for Indonesian designers seeking international exposure.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency at the Istanbul Fashion Connection (IFCO) event, Damayanti said the Indonesian delegation participated in IFCO for the first time last year, noting that the experience boosted the confidence of their designers and demonstrated they could compete at global standards.
“This year, we are participating again with selected designers who best represent Indonesia’s rich culture and heritage while blending it with global design trends,” Damayanti said. “Our main goal is to give designers access to the global market so they can compete fairly with designers worldwide.”
Damayanti emphasized that Istanbul offers advantages for designers beyond cultural familiarity. “Indonesia is still far from such fashion hubs. Türkiye’s presence in this field is very valuable for us,” she said.
Ali Charisma, advisory board member of the Indonesia Fashion Chamber, added that the strategy involves working with the Indonesian government to leverage Istanbul’s position as a major European fashion center.
“Participating in fairs in Istanbul and being visible here is extremely important for us,” Charisma said. “Türkiye provides opportunities to access European and potentially U.S. markets. We brought seven designers from Indonesia and have already established strong connections with partners across Türkiye, the Middle East, and Europe.”
The IFCO fair, held at Istanbul Expo Center, served as a key gateway for Indonesia’s textile sector into Europe. It also hosted the promotion of the Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST), scheduled for October 8–12, 2025, in Jakarta.
Indonesian designers including Althafunnisa by Karina, Anfiha, Dama Kara, Deden Siswanto, Eiwa, Reborn29, and Silla Dawilah showcased collections on Turkish models, attracting attention from major figures in the textile industry and fashion enthusiasts. The event laid the groundwork for stronger cooperation between the Indonesian and Türkiye fashion industries.
The Indonesia Modest Creative Industry (IKRA) is a platform launched by Bank Indonesia to support modest fashion enterprises and Sharia-compliant food and beverage businesses. IKRA aims to strengthen domestic and global competitiveness through entrepreneurial training, high-quality design, and industry growth, contributing to the national economy.
As of 2025, 460 modest fashion businesses are registered on the IKRA Indonesia platform.
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