Organized by the Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), Türkiye’s first design-driven fair Furnishings & Design Istanbul (FDI) took place at the Istanbul Expo Center from 25–27 September 2025. Returning for its second edition under the motto “Design returns to Istanbul,” the fair showcased innovative, original and aesthetic solutions in interior design. Spanning 12,000 m² with 100 brands, 10 panels, 40 speakers and 9 design-focused exhibitions, FDI became one of the sector’s most inspiring meeting points. Raising the bar for design across the entire interior ecosystem—from furniture to lighting, home textiles to accessories—the fair welcomed 26,873 visitors, including 1,670 international attendees from 38 countries.
Held over three days, FDI gathered every stakeholder of the interior ecosystem, linking designers with manufacturers through panels, curated exhibitions and D2B (Designer-to-Business) meetings. This year’s program also featured international speakers from Germany, Belgium and Italy. Within the FDI Talks series, 40 expert speakers addressed themes such as sustainability, innovation, artificial intelligence, green transition and the future of design.
Güleç: FDI plays a critical role in strengthening global competitiveness
Emphasizing how quickly FDI has resonated within the industry, MOSFED President Ahmet Güleç said: “The positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors confirms the meticulous preparation we undertook this year. Rapid advances in the furniture industry are amplified by events like FDI, which attract strong brand and visitor participation. FDI’s role in consolidating the sector’s place in global competition is critical. In our first year, we hosted 25,000 visitors with 40 brands across 5,000 m². This year, we expanded two-and-a-half times—100 brands, 10 panels, 40 speakers and 9 exhibitions over 12,000 m². FDI will continue to strengthen its multilayered platform where design meets production, brands meet global vision, and innovation meets sustainability.”
More than a fair: a robust collaboration network
With a mission to make design indispensable to industry, FDI again focused on original design, sustainable production and international collaboration. By forging strong ties among manufacturers, designers, academia, the public sector and professionals, the fair contributed to the global competitiveness of the interior ecosystem, especially Türkiye’s furniture industry. Featuring speakers not only from Türkiye but also from Germany, Belgium and Italy, FDI reinforced its international profile by attracting visitors from 38 countries.
The Future of Design at FDI25
Panels and special sessions hosted 40 speakers from Türkiye and abroad, shedding light on the future of design. Key topics included sustainable transformation, AI and design, furniture design from local to global, the expressiveness of materials, and the concept of “co-opetition.”
Over three days, the program brought together perspectives on designer–brand collaborations, procurement processes, eco-design and the role of AI—sparking inspiring encounters for the industry.
150 D2B meetings held
Within the D2B program—designed to cultivate a culture of introduction and partnership among manufacturers, brands and designers—more than 150 meetings took place. Meanwhile, FDI’s nine exhibitions received strong acclaim.
Inspiring exhibitions at FDI 2025
FDI 2025 took the pulse of the sector with curated shows. Under the theme “The Choreography of Sitting,” the FDI Design Circle united multiple design disciplines through selected pieces from participating brands’ portfolios. Curated by Erdem Akan, the “Masterful” exhibition drew attention with seating environments created exclusively for FDI. Six master designers—including Ece Yalım, Kunter Şekercioğlu, Şebnem Buhara, Şule Koç and Tanju Özelgin—worked hand-in-hand with furniture artisans to merge craftsmanship with design vision. The works were produced with contributions from Birim, Mobi and Ndesign.
The FDI New Horizon Exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Industrial Designers Association (ENTA), amplified emerging talent with a selection of 50 products by 31 designers. Interior architect Raşit Karaaslan’s “In Pursuit of Perfection: 50 Years” spotlighted his professional journey as well as the international success of the MOBİ brand, now in its 40th year—offering inspiration to younger generations. Another highlight was the “Ciddi Bi’ Tasarım” camp, where young designers—led by Adnan Serbest, Gamze Güven and Selenay Aktepe—presented context-sensitive furniture solutions attuned to nature and place.
In addition, the Taviloğlu Collection’s “Form, Function and Aesthetics” bridged art and design; Arzu Yılmaz’s “Silent Dialogue of Forms” stood out with its surrealist works; Artopia Art Gallery’s “Living with Art” dissolved the boundary between art and everyday life; and exhibitions by the Exporters’ Associations showcased award-winning projects from design competitions.