By Jesse Scott
Astana, Kazakhstan is the world’s youngest capital city. Built out of the windswept steppe at the behest of first Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev in the 1990s, it stands today as a glimmering symbol of the future. Astana is a place where rich tradition meets boundless optimism, as Kazakhstan’s storied cultural heritage is upheld by an ambitious new generation determined to turn the country’s impressive economic resources into a glorious new chapter of nationhood.
There’s a pulsating energy and vivacity that defines Astana, even on the most frigid winter days (temperatures frequently reach -40 Celsius in January and February). The Kazakhs, descendants of nomads and survivors of tumultuous Soviet times, are an inspiringly resilient people oriented towards solutions not problems. The sky is the limit for what can be accomplished in Astana, and this is reflected in the relentless creativity and innovation that defines the city’s momentum. Astana is a young person’s capital, and from art to fashion, dining to nightlife, change—for the better—is a constant.
The populace here has high expectations for all aspects of life. Each season sees young brands exploding into the spotlight of international fashion weeks, artistic and cultural events drawing widespread acclaim, and new establishments re-defining the city’s (capital-s) “Social Scene.” Astana is possessed of an omnipresent feeling of anticipation: a thriving city in the vanguard of a new global movement.
Rain has an editor on the ground in Astana for the next two months. Having taken several trips here over the past decade, I am so excited to be living in Kazakhstan this autumn and to share the country’s beautiful architecture and culture with Rain readers.
Throughout my time here, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the rich world of Kazakh fashion, including interviews with some of the country’s foremost designers. You’ll get to go behind the scenes at Kazakhstan Fashion Week, see what a day in the local lifestyle looks like, and even hear about the country’s world-class beauty industry from the perspective of models and stylists.
To introduce you to Astana and Kazakh fashion, I first present an editorial shot at some of the capital’s most iconic sites. Each image pairs a locus of social life in Astana (from the new Grand Astana Mosque to the imposing Opera House) with men’s and women’s looks showcasing Kazakh designers. [Discover the editorial]
