Street Style VISA FW 2024

Kazakhstan Takes Center Stage: VISA Fashion Week Almaty announces its eighth season.

Almaty, October 2023 – VISA Fashion Week Almaty is the event that has become iconic in Asia’s cultural and creative landscape will unfold within the elegant confines of The Ritz Carlton Ballroom on the 26-27 October featuring 7 Kazakhstani and 3 international designers that will present their SS2023-2024 collections.

In its eighth season, VFWA boldly strides forward, championing concepts of renewal, evolution, and transformation. The concept of the new season of VISA Fashion Week Almaty is mirrored in the showroom and podium design, where the butterfly motif is prominently featured. This presents the audience with minimalist white space that plays with light and textures, symbolizing a pristine cocoon where masterpieces take form. The event’s interior underscores that the new VFWA season has undergone a genuine transformation and will be presented to the audience in an entirely innovative and enhanced manner.

“It’s hard to imagine something more constant – and more changeable – than fashion. The autumn-winter season gives
way to the spring-summer season, a new collection appears to outshine the previous one – just as nature changes over time and seasons. Variability is exactly what defines fashion today.

That is why the main theme of this season is the cycle of metamorphosis. METAMORPHOSIS is the basis for the birth of everything: life, intellect, art, and feelings. We invited our participants to reflect on the topic of variability and tireless development – and we are looking forward to this great show.” says Bauyrzhan Shadibekov, General Director and Producer of VISA Fashion Week Almaty.

“My team and I revamped VFWA Season VIII with new technologies. Every detail, from invitations to the podium, symbolizes the project’s rebirth and elevation. This season, our dedication to sustainable fashion is stronger than ever.
Recycling and upcycling, not just in fashion but in society, take center stage. It’s encouraging to see more recycled fabrics in VFWA collections, with both new and established brands embracing this ethos.” he adds.

Visa FWA plays a crucial role in establishing and nurturing a professional platform for the growth of Kazakhstani designers, alongside the education of new talents. Its core mission is to advance Kazakhstani fashion and elevate its global presence, championing both fashion and cultural heritage. The Next Designer Award (NDA) by VFWA is a new initiative aimed at empowering young designers. Winners like Asel Shingisova, who also secured a
$10,000 grant from VISA, and Victoria Nadeina, who had the opportunity to present her collection at Saks Fifth Avenue Almaty & VILED Style Astana, will be showcased in the VIII season.

Through the promotion of exceptional talent and the encouragement of inventive thinking, NDA not only elevates the status of creative professions but also cultivates business opportunities for designers. From a pool of over 80 applicants, 10 finalists with extraordinary potential and ambitious visions earned their place in the spotlight.

The cream of the crop will have the honor of presenting their collections at VFWA on the second day.

The event will also feature a star-studded guest list, with high-profile names from the fashion, media, photography, and business industries. Among others: Daniele Comunale (Vogue Italia), Jan Boublik (Vogue Czechoslovakia, Marc Medina (Photographer), and Chidozie Obasi (Photographer).

Partners and sponsors
MAC – official beauty partner of VISA Fashion Week Almaty. MAC is guided by the principles of creativity, inclusiveness and diversity, and its main commitment is a conscious approach to beauty and social responsibility.
IQOS – manufacturer of smokeless tobacco heating systems developed and introduced by Philip Morris International.
BORK – manufacturer of premium household appliances and accessories.

About Bauyrzhan Shadibekov, CEO and Founder of VISA Fashion Week Almaty Bauyrzhan Shadibekov is the founder and CEO of Visa Fashion Week Almaty, the first international fashion week in Kazakhstan and Central Asia that holds a prominent position as the largest event in the cultural life of the region. His mission is to put Central Asia on the fashion map as a hub in the creative sector and a reference point in the international industry for new and upcoming designers.

 His intuition, followed by his unwavering commitment to promoting Central Asia fashion abroad, has helped him achieve this success. Today, the event is considered a must-attend appointment by the international fashion industry, attracting prominent international guests among buyers and media searching for the latest trends and the next global talent.

Visa Partnership
Visa, the leading global payments technology company, is proud to support the development of the creative industry in Kazakhstan through its sponsorship of VFWA. As a company committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses in every region, Visa recognizes the importance of promoting the growth of the fashion industry in Kazakhstan by helping to position the country on the global stage, providing support and aids in the transition of the fashion business to e-commerce.