Visa Fashion Week in Almaty puts Kazakhstan on the global fashion map

Despite all the fabulous optimism broadcast live, the fashion industry is struggling to cope with the negative impact of the global pandemic. From supply chain disruptions to anxious consumer confidence, the latest forecast from the McKinsey Global Fashion Index “an uneven recovery”After a 20% market loss over the past two years. While luxury conglomerates may better withstand uncertainty, smaller players and newcomers need extra support and attention. This is especially true for emerging markets. This is why the latest edition of Visa Fashion Week Almaty was a successful case study of how local governments can engage transnational capital to stimulate the needs of its creative community in these difficult times. Since Kazakhstan hosted the World EXPO and I spoke about it as “an emerging fashion destination for travelers from all over the world”, designers have benefited from Almaty, the former Kazakh capital, strengthening its role as center of traditional and modern expression of Central Asian cultures. What does it take to organize an event of this magnitude these days?

Kazakhstan, a country of 19 million people, has reported nearly one million cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic. With 47% of the population vaccinated, strict restrictions on movement and public gatherings are in effect. Although the event took place in compliance with all preventive measures, its capacity and scope were limited as many international power players fear to travel beyond the industrial bubbles of Paris or London. Bauyrjan Shadibekov, CEO of Visa Fashion Week Almaty, noted that the team always preferred the in-person format over the virtual-only option, as personal connections are important to any creative endeavor. In fact, a smaller audience allowed for more interaction between audience, press and talent.

Among the distinguished guests was the photographer André Barbier whose work has appeared in most major fashion publications, Anastasia Fedoseeva, founder of Street Pie, an avant-garde boutique and agency in Moscow, and Nino Sichinava, Associate Editor-in-Chief of London magazine Schon. As exposure and access to international media, buyers and direct customers are essential to building a nation’s style brand, all of the catwalks were broadcast live on #VFWAlmaty social media platforms.

Among the national highlights was a collection of cruises by Saken Zhaksybaev. Its label ZhSaken focused on monochrome dresses accented with yellow as an exploration of Spanish and Portuguese heritage in European royal histories. “Black, as the deepest color, awakens feminine beauty and is in itself a powerful accord, and when presented in a fabric such as velvet, it gives the image even more mystery”, explains the creator.

Former Kazakh student of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Tatiana yan immersed in the treasure of fairy tales. “The older we get, the more we notice that history is not going anywhere: good triumphs over evil, after darkness comes to light, actions are stronger than words. Only his characters change over time, but now we need them more than ever, ”remarked Yan. Designate Ainur Turisbek experimented with a new approach to co-branding the collections. “ALMA: powered by Jusan InvestIs a reference both to his mother and to the nourishing story of the generosity of the Medici family “sponsoring” the Renaissance.

Historical crossroads between the mythical East and West, Kazakhstan has continued to master fashion diplomacy by inviting great Ukrainian, Georgian and Uzbek designers. It was a powerful and welcome gesture of goodwill to every country navigating a geopolitical stalemate with Russia. Designate Lilia Litkovskaya and his “bold clothes fit for a city shaman” have become one of Ukraine’s most recognizable style business cards. Inspired by Keith Haring and the poppy fields in bloom, his optimistic vision for the future is decidedly triumphant.

Georgia Datuna Sulikashvili is a sought-after ambassador of the new sense of Georgian style. Working in silk and cashmere, he is building a stellar brand reputation on several international platforms. Uzbekistan was represented by the two best-selling brands in the country.

dressmaker Lali Fazylova envisioned the contemporary youth of old megalopolises like Tashkent and Samarkand. His fine collection emphasized the use of adras, traditional Uzbek hand-dyed textiles, and alo-bakhmal, a royal technique of velvet weaving.

Since 2007, kasimova dildo launched successful ready-to-wear collections to a growing audience of loyal customers and fans. Her fashion philosophy being a holistic lifestyle and not just a profession, she is one of the most followed style influencers in Central Asia, capturing the modern air of the Silk Road.

Looking and moving forward, Bauyrzhan Shadibekov, CEO of Visa Fashion Week Almaty, has the utmost confidence in the platform as he cites a few of his long-term project partners as Kaz visit, Citix, and Dyson, and its benefits to participating designers and national fashion industries in the region. From next year, a partnership with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana will allow a season-winning designer to present at a special showcase during Milan Fashion Week. An example of the international solidarity of the fashion industry, it signals a desire to make the economic recovery less “uneven” by prioritizing the future of emerging talents.