Kazakh fashion experts, designers, stylists, craftspeople and artists amidst post-colonial and post-communist aftermath.

Inheriting suppressed identity and language, sharing the tumultuous events of the XX century and being pushed by the XXI century globalization and geopolitics, Kazakh fashion, crafts and arts are dealing with several parallel challenges. On the one hand, rediscovering their traditions and identity which were prohibited, denied, circumcised and vulgarized during the Soviet period. On the other hand, dealing with the new contemporary challenges brought by globalization that casts the traditions and identity aside again.

Kazakh fashion and arts creatives in diverse ways and formats try to answer the questions of how much longer Kazakh fashion and arts will continue to look at the past and try to digest the post-colonial and post-Soviet trauma. And more importantly, when will it free its collective mind to start looking into the future?

Moderated by Aika Alemi, designers, curators, art historians, cultural practitioners reflect on the search and evolution of identity in fashion and art in Kazakhstan. Speakers and exhibitors include:

• Alina Abilda, jewelry designer, founder of Jaylan

• Janna Assanova, artist, curator of conceptual jewelry art

• Aliya Zhamantaeva, jewelry designer, founder of Aliya Valeryevna

• Aizhan Zhuzbay, designer, founder of Zhuzbay

• Maira Izmailova, creative producer, founder of Funk Agency

• Raushan Karghabekova, art historian, head of art history department at Kazakh National University of Arts

• Asel Mektepbaeva, designer, founder of Jez

• Danagul Tolepbay, contemporary art curator and of Kazakhstan National Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024

Watch the full recording on the GFA Youtube channel.