The winners of the Machine-Made Carpet Design Competition, organized in collaboration with the Southeastern Anatolian Carpet Exporters Association and Gaziantep University under the support of the Ministry of Trade, were honoured at an awards ceremony. During the event, next-generation carpet designs were also unveiled.
The 10th edition of the “Design and Weave” machine-made carpet design competition took place at the GAİB service building. Attendees included Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, AK Party MP Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derya Bakbak, CHP MP Melih Meriç, Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin, Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu, Şehitkamil Mayor Av. Umut Yılmaz, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry President Adnan Ünverdi, Organized Industrial Zone President Cengiz Şimşek, Carpet Sector Board President and TİM Board Member Selahattin Kaplan, Istanbul Carpet Exporters Association President Ahmet Hayri Diler, AK Party Provincial Chair Fatih Muhaddis Fedaioğlu, CHP Provincial Chair Reis Reisoğlu, as well as invited guests and industry leaders.
“We are the capital of production and leaders in carpet fashion”
During the event, Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin, Gaziantep MP Derya Bakbak, and other dignitaries examined the finalist carpets on display and congratulated the designers on their achievements. Zeynal Abidin Kaplan, President of the Southeastern Anatolian Carpet Exporters Association, emphasized that Gaziantep, as a global center for carpet production, has also become a trendsetter in global carpet fashion. “Carpets are a significant part of our cultural heritage and a strong indicator of our country’s economic dynamics. With its rich historical background and artistic expertise, Turkey is renowned worldwide for its carpet production. Gaziantep is the main hub of this industry,” he stated.
The role of design in industry success
Kaplan highlighted the critical role of design in the success of the carpet sector. “Today, rising global inflation, restrictive measures by countries, and geopolitical crises have made international trade more challenging. In such a tough environment, offering high-value, high-quality, and original products is increasingly essential to maintain our global competitiveness and elevate our industry. The roles of production, R&D, and design units have become more important than ever. Creating original designs that can become fashion trends in the machine-made carpet sector is vital for companies to retain their competitive edge by meeting customer preferences accurately and on time,” he explained.
216 designs competed for recognition
Kaplan also noted the growing interest in the design competition, with 216 submissions this year. “The Machine-Made Carpet Design Competitions, organized in collaboration with the Southeastern Anatolian Carpet Exporters Association and Gaziantep University, have been a significant step toward discovering and supporting young talent in the industry. This year, the competition was held in two categories: participants from Gaziantep University and those from other universities. A total of 216 designs were submitted, including 65 from Gaziantep University and 151 from other institutions. These submissions were meticulously evaluated by experienced jury members. As a result, 20 designs (5 from Gaziantep University and 15 from other universities) qualified for the finals. Finalists were provided with an orientation program at Gaziantep University to learn about the dynamics of the carpet industry,” he added.
Integrating young talent into the carpet industry
Kaplan emphasized the importance of attracting young talent to various aspects of the carpet industry. “These efforts in carpet design are crucial for both developing participants’ skills and bringing innovative ideas to life in the sector. All these initiatives aim to enhance Turkey’s international prestige in the carpet industry, strengthen its dominant position, pave the way for young designers, and ensure a brighter future for the sector. I wish all participants who inspire hope for the future success in their endeavours and thank all stakeholders for their contributions,” Kaplan concluded.
Finalists showered with awards
Following the speeches, the awards were presented by prominent attendees, including Governor Kemal Çeber, MPs, mayors, and industry leaders. This year’s competition awarded cash prizes to top finalists in two categories: participants from Gaziantep University and those from other universities. Additionally, all finalists received graphic tablets.
The event was a joyous occasion, especially for the winners. Mustafa Enes Osanmaz, the first-place winner in the Gaziantep University category, and Zeynep Kübra Köroğlu, the winner in the other universities category, each received 90,000 TL. Second-place winners were awarded 70,000 TL, while third-place winners received 50,000 TL.
