An Ethnic Fashion Show of Kyrgyz National Clothing Took Place in Kara-Balta

Ирина Орлонская • 05.01.2026, 10:20 • Society

In Kara-Balta, an ethnic fashion show of Kyrgyz national clothing took place, gathering local residents, craftswomen, and fans of Kyrgyz culture, reports Turmush correspondent.

This event became a vivid example of the creativity of local artisans and highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people.

The initiator of the show was Nursia Suimonalieva, a seamstress specializing in curtain making. She decided to unite talented craftswomen to create modern costumes based on traditional motifs. Nursia was inspired by ancient sewing and fabric embellishment techniques, reviving forgotten crafts in her work.

“For many years, I sewed curtains for kindergartens and schools, but I always dreamed of creating something special that reflects our culture. When my children started attending dance classes, I thought about costumes for their performances. Constantly buying new outfits became too expensive, so I decided to sew them myself. This activity became a true hobby for me, and I began creating costumes for New Year celebrations, theatrical performances, and cultural events,” Nursia shares.

During her work, she immersed herself in studying the rich history of Kyrgyz crafts. Nursia began mastering ancient sewing and cutting methods, such as “nukum” and “arysh,” which are ancient ways of joining and decorating fabrics. She used this information to bring forgotten techniques back into her modern creations.

“I realized that not long ago, almost every woman knew how to sew. My grandmother always kept a needle and thread under her headscarf in her hair and could sew clothes or attach a button at any moment. At that time, there was no need to be a professional seamstress — everyone could sew; it was part of our life and culture. Remembering this, I understood that I wanted to revive these traditions and show that anyone, even without special skills, can create beautiful things that help preserve our identity,” she says.

The show featured both traditional Kyrgyz costumes with embroidered patterns and headgear, as well as modern interpretations of national clothing.

Nursia started with simple elements: embroidered vests, belts, and headwear, and soon gathered a whole collection. An important part of her work became the use of felt and carpet patterns.

“I turned to a familiar grandmother to teach me how to sew shirdaks — traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets. She cut pieces of felt not with scissors, but with a pocket knife. I found that I was good at it, and now I use these techniques in my designs,” Nursia Suimonalieva shared.

Currently, Nursia has many works that she dreams of presenting on large stages or exhibitions. She plans to create her own collection of Kyrgyz national clothing that could become part of fashion shows and cultural events.

Nursia is confident that there are many talented craftswomen in Kyrgyzstan, each with their own ideas and skills.

“Many do not realize that they can achieve more if they unite and work together. Putting soul into each model is a true pleasure. I would like every seamstress to feel this. My dream is for our artisans to unlock their potential and take pride in their creations,” emphasizes Nursia Suimonalieva.

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