One of the most prominent events in Türkiye’s footwear and leather fashion industry, the AYMOD International Footwear Fashion Fair, is being held for the 74th time between March 25–28, showcasing Spring-Summer collections. Bringing together local and international professionals, the fair continues to host strong business interactions and commercial connections on its third day.
This year, educational and design-driven initiatives stood out as key highlights. The newly introduced AYMOD Design Area provided a platform for emerging talents to connect with the industry. Students from Konya Selçuk University presented their original designs, demonstrating a strong example of university–industry collaboration.
One of the most visited areas of the fair was the stand of the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School (İDMİB-MTAL). The handcrafted leather goods produced by students attracted great attention, while live demonstrations added a dynamic and engaging dimension to the exhibition experience.
Deputy Minister of Trade of Türkiye, Mr. Mahmut Gürcan, visited the fair, toured the stands, and closely observed the students’ production processes. Impressed by their live performances, Gürcan praised both the school management and the young talents, underlining the critical role of vocational education in sectoral development.
Zeytinburnu İDMİB-MTAL, the only school in Istanbul offering specialized education in leather goods design and production, aims to bring qualified workforce into the leather sector. Established with the support of the Leather Goods Industrialists’ Association, the school stands out with its “İdmibZEN” brand, combining education with real production experience.
The products exhibited at the fair reflected not only craftsmanship but also the powerful fusion of tradition, design, and modern production techniques. AYMOD 2026 once again proved to be not only a trade platform but also a showcase for the next generation shaping the future of the industry.
