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Central Asian design comes to Paris Design Week

Next week from the 8th-12th September, discover Ethical Fashion Initiative’s (EFI) The Kârvân Journey, a showroom dedicated to Central Asian homeware designers and participants of the Initiative’s Designer Accelerator. Following a successful debut at Milan Design Week, the designers are now presenting in the French capital.

Next week from the 8th-12th September, discover Ethical Fashion Initiative’s (EFI) The Kârvân Journey, a showroom dedicated to Central Asian homeware designers and participants of the Initiative’s Designer Accelerator. Following a successful debut at Milan Design Week, the designers are now presenting in the French capital.

The showroom will highlight contemporary designs featuring Central Asian heritage and culture, that feature local materials and traditional techniques, with the support of UNESCO and the European Union. Paris Design Week will host the programme’s second round of The Kârvân Journey, a static celebration of the caravans that once travelled the Silk Road, embodied by the following homeware designers: Tigran Erdman (Uzbekistan), UYA Nomad (Kyrgyzstan), Aiken (Kazakhstan), Oro (Tajikistan), and Camel Wool (Turkmenistan).

The showroom aims to explore Central Asia’s rich culture of textile production through the exhibition of meticulous ikat produced by social enterprise IkatUz in Uzbekistan and delicately embroidered Suzani fabrics created by Ozara, an artisan collective from Tajikistan. A unique tapestry co-created by world-known designer Sam Baron and Ozara, alongside other items, will take visitors on a distinct trip through the region.

Discover an array of handwoven, hand embroidered textiles from artisan collectives IkatUz (Uzbekistan) and Ozara (Tajikistan)

On Saturday, September 10th at 5pm, EFI will host a panel discussion that will delve into textiles and contemporary design in Central Asia. Speakers include: Alessandra Carta, Creative Director and Fashion Designer; Yokut Schmid, advisor to Minister of the Silk and Wool Industry of Uzbekistan; and Aigerim Akenova, founder of Kazakh homeware brand Aiken, a pioneer in sustainable fashion practices in the country.

In addition, the 5-day showroom will feature a dedicated Buyer’s Hour, where the featured designers will host guided tours of the space and provide presentations of their collections. Buyer’s Hours will take place on Friday and Saturday between 3-4pm.

The Kârvân Journey will take place from September 8 to 12 at 16 Rue de la Corderie, 75003.

The exhibit is open to the public.
Buyers can contact Sadiath Alimath at saminou@intracen.org to book an appointment.