From Soviet sewing factory to Kazakh haute couture

Almaty is famous for young fashion houses that are setting trends for the whole of Central Asia. While the region’s fashion business is still in its infancy, it has already launched many promising brands.

One of them is Manera, developed at the Semiramida factory with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD’s) Women in Business programme.

The factory’s sewing traditions date back to Soviet times. But Manera is now a Spanish-Kazakh range inspired by designers such as Sonia Prado from Spain and Gulnar Bekibayeva from Kazakhstan. Semiramida’s main aim is to bring the Manera trademark to both local and foreign markets.

Natalya Akhshabayeva, head of the sewing factory, recently participated in EBRD advisory projects with local and international consultants, which were funded by the Kazakhstan government.

For the full story, see the July 2019 edition of Textiles Eastern Europe. Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE