Istanbul Fashion Week and Design Week: dates and venues

Istanbul is one of the fashion and design capitals of the region: the Turkish textile industry supplies major brands, and the city has designers, galleries and specialised fairs. For the visitor, the difficulty is that the dates and venues of these events change from one edition to the next, and that many are aimed first at professionals. This guide gives what we could verify in October 2026, what is open to the public, and alternatives all year round. No date is given beyond what has been announced: check the organisers' official sites before booking.

Istanbul Fashion Week

Istanbul's fashion week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul, presents shows by Turkish designers, generally twice a year. A recent edition ran from 12 to 16 March at Antrepo 3 in Karaköy, according to press coverage; the calendar and venues have changed over the years, and we could not confirm the dates of the next edition.

Access. The shows are primarily for invited guests, press and professionals; some side events are open to the public. Check the event's official site.
Around the week. Karaköy and Nişantaşı come alive: designer boutiques, parties, exhibitions. See Nişantaşı and the Galata and Karaköy district.
Hotels. Book early during the week of shows, especially around Beyoğlu and Nişantaşı; see where to stay in Istanbul.

Istanbul Design Week and design fairs

Istanbul Design Week is an annual design event with exhibitions, workshops and talks around the city, often in autumn, organised with the Istanbul Design Foundation. The venues change from one edition to the next. Other events exist:

Event	What it is	2026 announcement
FDI – Furnishings & Design Istanbul	Trade fair for furniture and design	24 to 26 September 2026, Istanbul Fair Center, Yeşilköy
Global Design Forum Istanbul	Design forum, first edition	13 to 16 May 2026
Istanbul Modest Fashion Week	Modest fashion week	16 to 18 April 2026

For design and contemporary art to see all year, see Istanbul Modern, Salt Galata, our guide to contemporary art and galleries and the page on the Istanbul Biennial.

Istanbul Modern, on the Bosphorus waterfront in Karaköy

Seeing fashion and design outside the events

Nişantaşı. Boutiques of Turkish designers and major brands, cafés and galleries.
Karaköy and Galata. Workshops, concept stores and galleries in former bank buildings; a good day on foot.

A street in Karaköy

Grand Bazaar and Arasta. For crafts, textiles and ceramics, see what to bring back from Istanbul.

Tips

Dates. Check the date on the official site before buying a flight: an event can be moved.
Tickets. When an event is public, tickets are sold by the organiser; beware of resellers.
Other events. The city's general calendar is in our festival calendar.

Istanbul Fashion Week and Design Week: dates and venues