On the narrow streets of attractive Paris, a fragile figure stands out with an original headdress - a Kazakh skullcap embroidered with beads. Perhaps in a light camisole, with ringing earrings or a pendant, with colorful Kazakh bracelets on her delicate wrists. This, of course, is not an everyday outfit, but there is always one or two details from the national wardrobe. This is Bayan Zhanbauova. She has been living in France for several years. Once she came from Astana to the capital of France to get a third higher education at the prestigious Paris-Dauphine University.

Bayan Zhanbauova comes from the Aktobe region. In Kazakhstan, she worked as a lawyer in national and foreign oil and gas companies and in international organizations. After arriving in Paris, she began working in insurance and finance with a master's degree. But her real passion has always been the world of high fashion.

Deciding to pursue her hobby in her free time, Bayan organized the first fashion show with the participation of five Kazakhstani designers. In a city where the global fashion and beauty industry reigns, this was a significant event for Kazakhstanis. It was 2017, and this show turned out to be incredibly successful, generating great interest among the French public.

This is how the KazFashionParis association was born, whose main goal was to promote and popularize Kazakh art, fashion and crafts abroad. Since then, several shows, master classes and fashion tours have been held. "Our task is to introduce the French to the culture of Kazakh traditional clothing, open the way for young Kazakhstani designers and connect them with famous French fashion houses," says Bayan.

Paris is one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in the world. Every sewing workshop owner dreams of bringing the best of their creations to Paris for a fashion show. But it should be noted that fashion houses from many regions of Kazakhstan are already boldly participating in fashion shows not only in Paris, but also in London, Milan and New York. The fashion industry of Kazakhstan is currently developing rapidly, as the general trend of globalization has opened up many opportunities. The growth of fashion events, communication links between designers and successful collaborations between well-known boutiques and brands, the influence of the fashion industry on the economy of Kazakhstan, and the increase in the share of promotion of the country through this attractive sector are pleasing.

With Kazakhstani designer Altynbek Ermukhanov

As you know, Fashion Weeks are held in the world center of culture and art 4 times a year. The "Weeks" at the beginning and middle of the year are considered high fashion ceremonies, and the "weeks" held in spring and autumn represent fashion collections for everyday wear.

"Until now, there was only one representative from Kazakhstan at the Paris Haute Couture Week in 2008, who took advantage of the international opportunity to showcase a collection with elements of nomadic clothing culture; it was a designer from the city of Oral, Kenzhe Devyatko.

The KazFashionParis community is developing rapidly. It includes several Kazakhstani designers and fashion houses, and cooperation agreements have been concluded with associations of designers from various regions of Kazakhstan. "It's wonderful when our creative people win the hearts of Paris," - says Bayan.

At Haute Couture Week. Paris. 2024

Recently, a show of the Nur-Shakh Fashion House, popular in Kazakhstan, took place at the official Haute Couture Week in Paris. This was a significant event that required a lot of time and effort to prepare. "This is an important step for us, which shows that our national creativity can compete on the world fashion arena," - shares Bayan, "and our task is to introduce the French to the culture of Kazakh traditional clothing, open the way for young Kazakhstani designers, show directions, introduce them to famous French fashion houses, be a link in the fashion environment for participation in the prestigious Fashion Week in Paris. The support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in France and personally the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Ms. Gulsara Arystankulova in a number of events is very important here. I am very grateful to them."

With the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France Gulsara Arystankulova

In addition to her work in the fashion industry, Bayan also actively participates in the cultural life of Paris. She is a member of various Kazakh associations. She taught dombra playing and Kazakh language lessons at the Korkyt-Abai cultural center at the embassy. Every year she actively participates in the organization of the celebration of Nauryz together with Kazakhs living in Europe.

At V festival of Kazakh cinema in Paris. 2023

"We must be proud of our origin and culture, representing Kazakhstan in the world", - says Bayan. "Each of us abroad is an ambassador of our country".