Everything starts with dreaming. A father looks at his little child and imagines what he will be like when he grows up. A businessman dreams and designs before investing. A movie cannot come to life without being circulated and planned in the mind of the director, a book in the mind of the writer, or a match in the mind of the coach. It is not possible to achieve anything without dreaming. In every revolutionary object and phenomenon in the world, there is a trace of a dreamer or genius who dreamed it. That’s why, as the famous physicist Albert Einstein said, “imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Exactly eight years ago, we, as LASİAD, had a dream. This dream of ours was something that had not been put forward or tried before. At a time when Laleli’s brand perception was being questioned, we dreamed of a completely different project. The project, which was a utopian draft at that time, turned into one of the most important organizations in which Laleli took part in the world showcase, exactly eight years later. The dream of that day has become one of the most valuable values of today. This dream; 8th Laleli Fashion Shopping Festival, which we held on 5-9 August 2019.
With this festival, which we held for the eighth time this year, Laleli set sail into a brand new lane in both fashion and commercial concepts. Thanks to professional buyers coming to Laleli from many different countries of the world, our festival provided a completely different experience for our regional companies in both fashion and commercial terms. As we always say, Laleli has once again proven and sealed that it is the world’s largest open-air fashion and shopping center.
The most important element in this type of organizations is undoubtedly continuity. Despite the aircraft crisis, coup attempt, economic attacks, currency wars, terrorist attacks and long election processes that our country has experienced especially in the last decade and deeply affected our region, we have been able to continue our path without giving up and getting tired. While doing this, we aimed to both strengthen our region and increase morale and motivation to our tired country. Every project we realize today is a legacy that extends to the future of Laleli. These are important signatures made specifically for this festival to make the trade of our region more stable and profitable. Therefore, I would like to state that we attach great importance to this event.
This festival, which is of critical importance for the unity, solidarity, future, commercial and tourism potential of Laleli, is also extremely valuable for the brand value of our country and Istanbul. Through this important organization, which takes its place in the world fashion and festival calendars, we both promote Laleli and further the commercial perspective of our region. I hope that buyers who will discover Laleli for the first time will establish important collaborations that will last for many years. We will establish important business connections and build a commercial vision together that will raise the bar for Laleli even higher. This important organization, which has turned from a dream into reality, will make valuable contributions to Laleli’s mission and future vision.
Unfortunately, our country is full of many organizations that were started but left unfinished during the process. Every activity without continuity is inherently harmful, with the fears and anxieties it leaves for the future rather than the temporary contributions it provides. Any business that is not measured and calculated correctly and has low credibility is doomed to fail. In this respect, this organization organized by our Laleli and LASİAD is a source of pride for all individuals in Laleli. We achieve this together and experience the joy and enthusiasm together. This organization, which introduces Laleli to the world, is ultimately like a domino stone that creates added value for all our companies, from the smallest to the largest. That’s why, as LASİAD, this festival is one of the most valuable works that we will entrust to the future of Laleli.
As Laleli, we once again felt and experienced what it means to be one and united. On this occasion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported our festival from the first day until today. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our friends who believe in us, trust us and move forward with us.
Gıyasettin Eyyüpkoca
