Organized by the Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), the design fair Furnishings & Design Istanbul (FDI) took place from September 25–27, 2025, at the Istanbul Expo Center. Held for the second time this year with the motto “Design is in Istanbul Again,” the fair hosted innovative, original, and aesthetic solutions for interior design, becoming the industry’s most inspiring meeting point with 100 brands, 10 panels, 40 speakers, and 9 design-focused exhibitions in a 12,000 m² area. The fair, which raised the bar for design in the interior ecosystem across all categories from furniture and lighting to home textiles and accessories, was visited by a total of 26,873 people, including 1,670 international visitors from 38 countries.
Organized by the Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), which is a member of the Board of the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC), the design fair Furnishings & Design Istanbul (FDI) brought together all stakeholders of the interior ecosystem, from furniture and lighting to home textiles and accessories, for three days. In addition to showcasing original designs, FDI connected designers with manufacturers through panels, curatorial exhibitions, and D2B (Designer-to-Business) meetings, and this year featured international speakers from Germany, Belgium, and Italy. Within the scope of the FDI Talks sessions, 40 expert speakers addressed topics such as sustainability, innovation, artificial intelligence, green transition, and the future of design.
Güleç: FDI’s Role in Solidifying the Sector’s Position in Global Competition is Critical
Emphasizing that FDI has quickly found a significant response in the sector, MOSFED President Ahmet Güleç stated in his evaluation of the fair, “The positive feedback we received from our visitors and exhibitors about our fair, which places design at the heart of the industry, once again demonstrated how appropriate our meticulous preparations were this year. The rapid advancements in the furniture sector are further strengthened by the impact of organizations like FDI with high brand and visitor participation. FDI’s role in solidifying the sector’s position in global competition is critical. In our first year, we hosted 25,000 visitors with 40 brands in a 5,000 m² area. This year, we increased our space and content two and a half times; we continued our journey with 100 brands, 10 panels, 40 speakers, and 9 exhibitions in a 12,000 m² area. FDI will continue to strengthen its multi-layered platform structure where design meets production, brands meet a global vision, and innovation meets sustainability.”
Not Just a Fair, But Also a Strong Collaboration Network
With its mission to make design an indispensable element of the industry, FDI focused on the themes of original design, sustainable production, and international collaboration again this year. The fair contributed to increasing the global competitiveness of the interior ecosystem, particularly the Turkish furniture sector, by creating a strong collaboration network among manufacturers, designers, academia, the public sector, and industry professionals. Featuring speakers from countries like Germany, Belgium, and Italy in addition to Turkey, FDI strengthened its international structure by hosting visitors from 38 different countries.
The Future of Design Was Discussed at FDI25
In the panels and special sessions organized within the scope of FDI 2025, 40 speakers from Turkey and around the world shed light on the future of design. Prominent topics in the program included sustainable transformation, the relationship between artificial intelligence and design, furniture design from local to global, the expression of material, and the concept of coopetition.
The event featured contributions from international names such as Omar Degoli, President of Environment and Circular Design at Federlegno Arredo; Thierry Moubax, CEO of AI Compass; and sustainability expert Gianluca Manago, as well as many esteemed Turkish designers, interior architects, and industry leaders including Defne Koz, Koray Malhan, Atilla Kuzu, Gökhan Karakuş, Raşit Karaaslan, Ece Yalım, Erdem Akan, Cem Cemal Çobanoğlu, Şule Koç, Yeşim Eröktem, and Hale Betül Güleç.
The three-day program hosted inspiring gatherings for the industry by bringing together different perspectives, from designer-brand collaborations and purchasing processes to eco-design and the role of artificial intelligence.
150 D2B Meetings Were Held
Over 150 meetings took place as part of the Designer-to-Business (D2B) program, which aims to foster a culture of networking and collaboration among manufacturers, brands, and designers, while the 9 exhibitions held within FDI received high acclaim.
Inspiring Exhibitions at FDI 2025
FDI 2025 once again captured the pulse of the industry with its curated exhibitions this year. FDI Design Circle, realized with the theme “The Choreography of Sitting,” brought together different disciplines of design with special products selected from the portfolios of participating companies. The “Masterful” exhibition, curated by Erdem Akan, drew attention with its original seating area concepts designed exclusively for FDI. Six master designers, including Ece Yalım, Kunter Şekercioğlu, Şebnem Buhara, Şule Koç, and Tanju Özelgin, worked one-on-one with master furniture craftsmen, merging manual labor with design vision. The designs were produced with contributions from Birim, Mobi, and Ndesign.
The FDI New Horizon Exhibition, in collaboration with the Industrial Designers’ Association (ENTA), amplified the voices of young creatives with a selection of 50 products from 31 designers. Interior architect Raşit Karaaslan’s “50 Years in Pursuit of Excellence” exhibition not only highlighted his professional journey but also made the international success of his 40-year-old brand, MOBİ, visible, inspiring younger generations. Another notable exhibition area at FDI was the “A Serious Design” camp. Led by designers Adnan Serbest, Gamze Güven, and Selenay Aktepe, the original furniture solutions created by young designers in harmony with nature and place were presented to visitors during the fair.
In addition, the Taviloğlu Collection’s “Form, Function, and Aesthetics” exhibition merged art and design, while Arzu Yılmaz’s “Silent Dialogue of Forms” selection stood out with its surrealist works. Artopia Art Gallery’s “Living with Art” exhibition removed the boundaries between art and life, and the Exporters’ Associations exhibitions brought projects that stood out in design competitions to the visitors.
