Nomad fashion show mixes the ancient and the modern in the Kyrgyzstan mountains

Read Time:2 Minute, 9 Second

On the shore of one of the world’s deepest lakes, high up in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, models strutted and sashayed in outfits mixing the particular ancient and modern at the World Nomads Fashion Festival.

A model in a blue outfit walks down a runway, there are women behind her. — A model displays an outfit from the collection by Indonesian designer Akeyla Naraya during the festival. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

The event, now in its third year, drew designers and fashion-industry figures from about 20 countries to shimmering Lake Issyk-Kul to admire outfits drawing on Kyrgyzstan’s millennia-old nomadic culture.

Masked performers dance across tiles. a garden bed and the ocean are in the distant background. — The festival was held at Cholpon-Ata, a resort town on the northern shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, 207 kilometres east of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

The stiletto heels worn by some models wouldn’t be suitable for a proper nomad, but some of their elaborate headdresses that seemed to mimic the horns of cattle were takes on traditional nomad costumes.

Silhouettes of seven female dancers in front of blue tiles and the sky. — The main goal of the festival is to show the world the particular Kyrgyz fashion industry. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

Swirling, voluminous skirts featured within many from the outfits, either elaborately patterned or in blocks of vivid colour.

A woman in a red costume has her hands spread in front of her face as part of a performance. — The fashion event took place from July 21 to 23. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

Along with the couture, the show offered visitors the chance to see an array of yurts — the wood-framed tents associated with skin or felt characteristic of nomads — and brightly-coloured carpets.

Models dressed in bright clothing are lined up next to a gold statue. — Models wait for their own turn to display a collection. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

There were participants through distant countries such as Indonesia, Morocco and France.

A model dressed in a designer's clothes stands in a field with a shed behind her. — A model displays an outfit from the particular collection by Kyrgyzstan’s developer Irina Unsapan. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

During a three-day program about 40 designers showcased their work.

Two Members of the Russian Folk Dance Ensemble are dressed in colourful outfits and standing with their hands on hips. — The event’s founder hopes Kyrgyzstan can create a platform for organising catwalk shows and exhibitions for the global fashion industry. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

“The World Nomad Fashion Festival is the first and only project in Central Asia plus some European countries that glorifies the civilisation of nomads, ” the event’s founder, Nazira Begim, said.

A performer dressed in bright blues and purples has her arms reached out during a dance. — Elaborate patterns and vivid colours featured in many of the clothes. ( AP: Vladimir Voronin )

“It was created in 2019. This idea belongs to me. The project is one of my old dreams.

“When I organised it with regard to the first time, without knowing anyone personally, I invited designers from 17 countries and held it also on the shores of Issyk-Kul lake. ”