Designers from Turkmenistan will display their ready-to-wear clothing at Who’s Next in Paris, an international fashion trade show that runs from September 5–7.
Under an EU-funded initiative, four designers and brands from the Central Asian country will participate in the show, according to the International Trade Centre, an agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization that promotes small and medium-sized businesses in emerging economies.
They are Mukaddes Ibragimova, whose work includes corsets, jackets and trousers in denim, embroidered silk and garments using ikat, a dyeing and weaving technique; Desert Heritaga, which works with handwoven silk, cotton, linen and camel wool; Aymahri Boutique, whose hand embroidery on linen is inspired by Nisa, an ancient capital of the Parthian Empire that lies near modern-day Ashgabat; and Binaym Project, which draws on traditional Turkmen techniques for its denim patchwork.
In June, the TurkmenTextile Expo in Ashgabat highlighted the role of traditional textiles in fashion and featured the Eurasian Council for Craft & Design, a platform that promotes regional designers and artisans.
Turkmenistan has said it is increasing investment in spinning, weaving, knitwear, sewing production, and other aspects of its textile industry. Part of that effort has included the introduction of new production technologies from Japan and Europe. Turkmen officials say they are bringing the textile industry into line with international standards despite concerns about labor conditions during the annual cotton harvest.
