Istanbul Carpet Week, 1-5 October 2017

A Rug Show, International Carpet Conference, the 11th National Carpet Design Contest and cultural events are all taking place during Istanbul Carpet Week, 1-5 October 2017. Sponsored travel and accommodation is available for international buyers courtesy of IHIB, the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association.

The first edition of Istanbul Carpet Week generated a real buzz last year. Many of the international buyers in attendance visited as guests of IHIB, the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association, organisers of the event. As they departed the city, it was not only the first-rate Turkish carpets and hospitality that were on everyone’s lips, but also how refreshing it was to do business and meet with so many buyers, producers, dealers and designers in such a beautiful, relaxed setting. This year IHIB are hosting Istanbul Carpet Week 1-5 October 2017 in association with COVER and HALI.

Ayasofya, Istanbul

Several elements make up the winning formula. Istanbul Rug Show is a new trade fair, introducing visitors to over 60 Turkish exhibitors. The 11th National Carpet Design Contest, promoting the work of young Turkish designers, is incorporated into the proceedings with the final judging and gala awards ceremony scheduled for the evening of 2 October. Erbil Tezcan of Wool & Silk Rugs provided coaching for entrants and will run a rug-design workshop during ICW.

The Istanbul International Carpet Conference has a stellar line-up of speakers: Hüseyin Alantar on how to read a carpet, Louise Broadhurst, international head of the rug department at Christie’s on antique Turkish rugs at auction and Matthew Bourne, a director at Christopher Farr, on rugs as contemporary art.

National Carpet Design Contest 2016 winners

There are cultural activities scheduled too, including a Bosphorus cruise and the opening of two significant exhibitions. The first sees an increase in the number of fabulous historic carpets displayed at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (TIEM), thanks to substantial sponsorship from IHIB.There is also a show of Arkas Collection Kumkapı prayer rugs.

To register your interest in attending as an international buyer with travel and accommodation sponsorship from IHIB, please contact David Young (david.young@hali.com) or Kinga Bajerska (kinga.bajerska@hali.com). 
 

Zadar rug by Kim Alexandriuk for Christopher Farr. Matthew Bourne, a Christopher Farr director will talk at the Istanbul International Carpet Conference