Issue 7 2019

Acquisition International - Issue 7 2019 11 We speak to The Fashion Man himself, Mr Aydin Acik, about his international fashion week organisation AFWEU and what it is that makes this event so successful. Asia Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week and Fashion Week Europe (AFWEU) is a highly acclaimed Istanbul, Amsterdam and Cappadocia based fashion events company, striving to support designers primarily through the event management of fashion shows, catwalk displays, showcase events and networking. Following their success in AI’s Global Excellence Awards where they were recognised as the Most Outstanding Fashion Exhibition, 2018, we profiled the firm to discover more about the outstanding services the team consistently provides. ince their inception, AFWEU has not only provided opportunities for the world to explore new and exciting men, women and kid’s fashion segments, but it also allows the designers the change to express their creativity more within a strategically produced event environment. The primary aim of the event is to alter the perception of Asian/African/ European culture and promote Istanbul, Amsterdam and Cappadocia as a tourist destination for arts, culture and fashion. Alongside this, the event has also been designed to increase awareness of the destination and more importantly, attracting international tourists, to enrich the Istanbul, Amsterdam and Cappadocia’s tourism industry and economy. In addition to this, the event will also showcase some of the latest vibrant fashion trends of the augmenting Asian/African/European art and design industry to an Asia, Africa, European and Global audience. The event will provide opportunities for vendor exhibitions, linking with business leaders, sponsors, local buyers, agents and media alike. The four-day event has been designed to highlight the beauty of these continents’ inspired fashion, art and culture to an international audience. Who is the creative genius behind this dazzling event? It’s initiator, founder and CEO of AFWEU, Aydin Acik who is offering designers from different pathways the platform to showcase their collection to a larger audience. The opportunity to create a collection and present it to a wide audience is a designer’s dream which may not have been a possibility due to financial impossibilities. Looking ahead to what the future holds for the firm, AFWEU hopes to emphasise both the workforce and trade potential as the cultural richness and beauty of Asian/African/European countries through a cultural exchange in the field of fashion, art and culture. The annual event will provide innovative special collections of local and international designers the platform to be seen. Alongside this, new talented designers will be scouted, as AFWEU wants to provide them with a chance to showcase their work and meet other designers from around the world. Aside from growing the business and creating events to showcase such talented artists, AFWEU hope to continue helping others who are less fortunate. Some of the charities which the firm are official partners Fashion Focussed S Nov18249 of include UNICEF unite for children, Turkish Heart Foundation, Sue’s Warriors and Laughter Heals Association Foundation. The events that AFWEU host will be in aid of these wonderful charities, as the proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the organisations. For the last three years The Fashion Man has won six awards which include: The Voice Achievers/image Maker Award 2014, Best Event Europe 2015, Dynamic Business Award 2016, Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 and last but not least, The European Business Awards- NATIONAL WINNER 2018 and Most Outstanding Fashion Exhibition, 2018. So, what does he make of his overwhelming success? “Success is the result of your dream, passion, perfectionism, hard work, learning from your mistakes, positive thinking and perseverance.” AYDIN ACIK The Fashion Man www.afweu.com