Take a glimpse of the most beautiful collections showcased at Fashion Week Almaty, captured through the lens of photographer Tonya Matyu.
by Tina LončarOctober 21, 2025
At the beginning of October, when I traveled to Moldova, Paris Fashion Week was in full swing. Understandably, someone asked me why I wasn’t in Paris. “I had already been there,” I replied without much hesitation, as if it were an explanation that went without saying. Don’t get me wrong – Paris is undeniably the epicenter of fashion, and its influence is unquestionable. Yet precisely because of that, during fashion week, it’s impossible to avoid the flood of images that dominate the media every day. News from Paris is simply everywhere. On the other hand, if you want to discover other, much smaller fashion scenes, the only way to do that is to travel and fully immerse yourself in the story: to talk with designers and platform founders, learn about the culture and history, share experiences with fashion enthusiasts, and see the creations up close. Motivated by the same curiosity, after spending only 24 hours in Zagreb, I set off for Kazakhstan.
Although far from Europe’s fashion capitals, Visa Fashion Week Almaty, I would soon realize, is a platform that can no longer be called small by any means. Not only is it thriving and growing, but it is also widely recognized as the central fashion event of Central Asia. At its twelfth edition, the platform hosted 18 fashion brands from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia, who showcased their Spring/Summer 2026 collections on the runway of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Almaty. Among the renowned designers, debut collections were also presented by the winner and finalists of the Next Designer Award—a platform that promotes and financially supports the development of young design talents from Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Having created Visa Fashion Week for so many years, we understand how important it is to view fashion, aesthetics, and ultimately beauty from different perspectives. It is precisely the contrast between the vision of an established master and that of a newcomer that creates the depth – the remarkable stereo effect – that so strongly impacts our audience. The project is growing: the number of participants presenting their collections is increasing, and alongside them we organize masterclasses and public talks. This way, we turn our fashion week into a space where trends are born, cultures meet, and stories are told through beauty and creativity, said Bauyrzhan Shadibekov, CEO and Producer of Visa Fashion Week Almaty.
Below, take a look at some of our favorite collections from Almaty, with backstage photos captured by Berlin-based photographer Tonya Matyu:
Amid the constant stream of fashion content, where I find myself constantly losing and trying to regain focus, few images truly settle into my memory. Yet the visuals of the Mongolian uniforms designed by the fashion house Michel & Amazonka for the 2024 Paris Olympics are among the rare images I still carefully store in one of my mental folders. Today, as I once again admire the beauty of the golden embroidery and the precision of the tailoring, it is no surprise that the work of the design duo from Ulaanbaatar has been recognized as some of the most stunning Olympic uniforms of all time. For the same reason, I was not at all surprised by the enthusiasm of visitors at Fashion Week Almaty, who could barely contain their excitement upon learning that the Michel & Amazonka sisters’ show was scheduled for the second day. Their first presentation in Kazakhstan was awaited with the same level of anticipation as teenagers awaiting a pop-star concert—and with good reason. The collection that graced the runway showcased not only the astonishing breadth of their talent but also their incredible dedication to handcraft, brought to the level of perfection. A dress edged with white feathers—stitched feather by feather—or pieces adorned with their signature golden embroidery are so extraordinary that it’s impossible not to get lost in the beauty of the details, while simultaneously marveling at human devotion and patience.
For their presentation in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Michel & Amazonka selected 24 pieces distinguished by intricate handwork, refinement, and impeccably shaped silhouettes. While their unmistakable fashion signature uncompromisingly intertwines with Mongolian cultural heritage and symbolism, their aim is not to create clothing that could be described as ethnic. The combination of contemporary styles and traditional Mongolian elements results in what they themselves call prêt-à-couture. Yet what makes their garments universally beautiful and timeless is the quality of the materials they use—locally produced wool and cashmere—as well as the handcraft, such as embroidery and other unique techniques of detail application, executed with such devotion that admiration is inevitable.
Designer Tomiris Kupzhassarova, the creative force behind the Kazakh fashion brand Zhalt Zhult, is one of the new names on the Central Asian fashion scene—and certainly one of its brightest. Tomiris is the winner of the annual Next Designer Award, a competition for emerging designers, and her debut collection Bailiau. A New Kazakh Rite of Female Initiation, presents a personal story through a fashion show and performance. The collection reflects Kupzhassarova’s journey to rediscover herself and reclaim her strength by connecting with her female ancestors, whose names are most often forgotten. While Kazakh tradition requires a person to recite seven generations of their male ancestors, the names of women are often absent from the Kazakh genealogy (known as shezhire).
Zhalt Zhult SS2026, Tonya Matyu
The collection explores the theme of binding and connecting (bailiau) as a female ritual that carries generational wisdom. In a traditional context, bailiau refers to an ancient women’s ritual of binding with a spiritual and protective purpose—through the act of braiding their daughters’ hair, mothers pass on wisdom and seek to shield them, while crafting special amulets to protect their loved ones from the outside world. The debut fashion collection of Zhalt Zhult tells a story of inner healing, questioning tradition, and reclaiming strength, but it is also a poignant coming-of-age tale in which the designer embraces her childhood self while understanding the full weight of growing up, standing up for oneself, and setting personal boundaries.
Bailiau becomes a search for inner harmony between the vulnerable inner daughter and her future strength—the readiness to assert herself and set boundaries. For me, this collection is like a lullaby. It speaks of endless love for the inner daughter, an attempt to nurture her once more—gently, carefully, yet with protection. It is simultaneously a ritual of care and a form of armor in the battle for oneself, the designer explains.
Although I didn’t expect to see a menswear collection on the Fashion Week Almaty runway, the fashion story of the Uzbek brand Azamat Somatov was exactly what we love to see in men’s fashion—impeccable tailoring. One of the key representatives of contemporary luxury in Uzbekistan, Azamat Somatov, founder and creative director of the eponymous brand, has built his label on precisely shaped silhouettes, premium fabrics, and designs that elegantly combine comfort and sophistication.
All of these values were embodied in the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, symbolically titled Legacy of Elegance. The series of menswear pieces that graced the runway on the final day of Fashion Week Almaty highlighted clean lines, thoughtfully constructed silhouettes, and meticulous attention to every detail. While the collection exudes a classic aesthetic at first glance, the brand skillfully experiments with unconventional patterns, creative fashion pairings, and subtle yet unexpected details that make it both refined and distinctive.
The honor of closing the twelfth edition of Almaty Fashion Week went to the brand ZhSaken. Designer Saken Zhaksybayev is a favorite among the local fashion audience, and by the time the show ended, it was clear why—besides the enthusiastic applause, his cheerful personality stirred such positive energy that the event concluded with a collective dance on the runway. All of this was framed by truly outstanding fashion. The Spring/Summer 2026 collection draws inspiration from Kazakh roots and was presented through a series of pieces that reflect dedication to meticulous handcraft, thoughtfully considered details, and refined silhouettes.
ZhSaken SS2026, Tonya Matyu
The new collection from ZhSaken offers a contemporary interpretation of Kazakh tradition, blending rich cultural heritage with a modern fashion sensibility. Inspired by national symbols and traditional cuts, designer Saken Zhaksybayev reinterprets motifs from folk costumes through clean lines, current silhouettes, and thoughtfully considered details, creating garments that embody both ancestral pride and the spirit of the present. In his vision, tradition is not a relic of the past but a living starting point for shaping the future. The collection allows the modern wearer to incorporate national motifs into everyday life as a mark of identity and a connection to their roots. Through his work, ZhSaken demonstrates how cultural heritage can be transformed into a sophisticated fashion expression—one that does not merely repeat history, but conveys it to the present with respect and creativity.
The clothing and accessories brand, simply named 29, is a new name on the Kazakh fashion scene. At its core, the brand combines sustainable practices with personal expression into an inseparable whole—values that should define the philosophy of any fashion label aiming to remain relevant on today’s fashion map. The DNA of the brand lies in upcycling and the ambition to transform what is discarded into something precious, surprising, and new. Inspired by the atmosphere of undiscovered worlds and survival, 29 speaks through textures, draping, and layered outfit combinations. Each piece emerges from multiple manipulations of fabric, resulting in crumpled textures, intricate constructions, and unexpected volumes, making the garments a sort of “uniform” for a new (and clearly unpredictable) era.
29 is more than clothing. It is our response to the challenges of our time, an attempt to rethink fashion as a space for freedom, sustainability, and personal empowerment, explained designer Galima Sapar.
