Childhood dream brought first prize

The first prize went to Izmir University of Economics (IEU) once again at the 14^th Wedding Dress Design Contest held this year within the scope of IF Wedding Fashion Izmir, one of Europe's largest bridal fashion fairs. Sercan İzci, a student from the IEU Department of Textile and Fashion Design, achieved first place with his design named ‘Timon’, inspired by his childhood. Expressing his happiness for receiving the award, İzci said, “As a child, I used to play with my grandmother's sewing machine, stitching together fabric pieces I found to make clothes for my toys. Just like in my childhood, I prepared the award-winning bridal gown by combining fabric pieces and achieved my goal.” Last year, IEU student Enes Yolcu also won first place with his work ‘Essence of Myself’.

The Wedding Dress Design Contest, organized by IZFAS with the theme ‘Flow’ this year, was full of excitement. In the final of the competition, which had intense participation from all over Turkey, winners were determined among 15 ambitious designs. Following the evaluation by the jury, Sercan İzci, a senior in the IEU Department of Textile and Fashion Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, succeeded in achieving first place.

GAVE HIS ‘TOY’S NAME’ TO THE WEDDING DRESS

Stating that he prepared the wedding dress after about a month of work, İzci mentioned that after learning about reaching the final, he hoped to be placed and that winning the first prize was an indescribable happiness. İzci said, “I named my design Timon, after a toy I loved very much as a child. I had an interest in fashion even when I was little; I used to make clothes for my toys using denim scraps and various fabrics. I brought my childhood passion for fashion first to University and now to winning first place in the contest. The pleated fabrics dominated the wedding dress I prepared. The reason for this is that pleated fabrics were a reflection of the wrinkles I found in fabrics in my childhood. I spread the fabrics over multiple layers, giving shapes and creating organic structures at the sleeves and hem of the wedding dress. Finally, I added bead embroidery to give a different dimension to my design. It was an innovative and attention-grabbing work. I personally selected all the fabric pieces for the wedding dress, and we completed the sewing of the dress in Burak Çiçek's workshop.”

CONTINUING WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE

İzci continued as follows: “Receiving an award in such a valuable and prestigious contest is everyone's dream and goal. I am very happy to have achieved this. I would like to thank everyone who supported me and the academics who trained me. I want to pursue my career in the field of fashion. My first goal is to pursue a master's degree and progress academically. I believe I have a long way to go in fashion. This award has given me courage and motivation. I will continue my projects with the aim of making a difference in fashion.”