ISTANBUL (AA)
'Istanbul Fashion Show of Civilizations' to be staged on Friday will give the social messages of 'peace' and 'friendship' and will demonstrate that Istanbul is a city of all civilizations.
"The fashion show will act as part of the 'The Alliance of Civilizations'," the producer and originator of 'Istanbul Fashion Show of Civilizations', Savas Ugurlu, told the Anadolu Agency.
"The intolerance of different religions across the world and the disrespectful manners of some people towards those believing in another religion gave us the idea of organizing such a fashion show," Ugurlu said. "It will stress that people can live together regardless of their religion."
Organized by 'Medya Doktoru' company, the fashion show will exhibit a creation of 61 dresses, 20 of which are representing Islamic colours and designs while 20 others with Jewish ornaments and patterns, and the other 20 with Christian motif.
"The 61st dress will be designed differently depending on the city or country where the show is staged," Ugurlu said, adding the one in Istanbul having the concept of tulip would be given as a gift to Emine Erdogan, spouse of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"The initiative of our prime minister Erdogan 'The Alliance of Civilizations' motivated us to stage the 'Istanbul Fashion Show of Civilizations'," he noted.
All the dresses representing the three major Abrahamic religions Islam, Christianity, and Judaism were designed by Turkish fashion designer Muammer Ketenci.
However, the next fashion shows of civilisations may include the creation of two more designers, one Jewish and the other one Christian, Ugurlu said.
The show will also be held in various provinces across Turkey including Bursa, Van, Diyarbakir, Urfa, Gaziantep, Izmir, Antalya, Mugla, Konya in addition to the cities abroad.
"Many countries have asked to host the fashion show," Ugurlu said, adding Israel and Netherlands were among the most interested ones.
'Istanbul Fashion Show of Civilizations' will be staged at Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul on January 10.
A number of high ranking officials are expected to attend the show including representatives of different religions and consuls general in Istanbul.
