The Karimov Foundation has recently launched a new project promoting Uzbekistan’s rich culture, this time through fashion. ‘Fashion in Uzbekistan: Yesterday and Today’ is the latest of many initiatives from the activist, entrepreneur and philanthropist Lola Karimova Tillyaeva. ‘Fashion in Uzbekistan: Yesterday and Today’ is an exhibition exploring how fashion has evolved since the 1960s. Housed in the Tashkent’s elegant House of Photography, the exhibition tells the story of late 20th century Uzbek fashion through an array of photos, clothes, sketches and magazines – each piece with its own unique history.
Contemporary Uzbek fashion is also being displayed alongside the vintage items. Fabulous collections of Saida Amir, Taisiya Chursina, LALI Fashion House (Lali Fazylova), Moel Bosh brand (Zuhra Inat), Markhamat Umarova and Hilola Sher can be found at the exhibition. Aiming to educate and stimulate further interest in Uzbek culture, The Karimov Foundation has put together a catalogue explaining the cultural context of the pieces displayed.
Founded in 2016, the Karimov Foundation is committed to promoting awareness and appreciation for Uzbekistan’s rich, unique cultural heritage. It also provides young Uzbeks access to educational opportunities through merit-based scholarships awarded in various academic disciplines and fields of study. The scholarships enable talented students to pursue their education at world-renowned universities in Europe. Home to major trade cities along the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan has been a strategic hub in Central Asian history for thousands of years. Waves of Greek, Persian, Mongol, and Soviet armies have passed through. Following in their wake, Buddhist missionaries, Chinese scholars, Arab mathematicians, and merchants have come from every corner of the world. Each has left imprints on Uzbek history and culture. This heady mix of cultural influences is the inspiration behind The Karimov Foundation’s latest exhibition.
Lola Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev’s documentary
Alongside the latest exhibition Lola Tillyaeva and her husband Timur Tillyaev have produced a documentary film on one of Uzbekistan’s most influential thinkers, the 15th Century Uzbek astronomer and ruler Ulugh Beg. Timur has been fascinated by Ulugh Beg ever since early childhood. He explained that “every time I visited Samarkand and heard about the scientific discoveries made by this celebrated scholar and peace-loving ruler – a man who in the 15th century turned Samarkand into the epicenter of the world’s most advanced studies in astronomy – I thought that his extraordinary story should be told to the world.”
Lola Tillyaeva’s other projects
Another one of Lola Tillyaeva’s projects in this vein is the publication of ‘Uzbekistan: An Experience of Cultural Treasures to Colour’. Part colouring book, part historical study of Uzbek culture and history, the book engages the reader with stunning images of Uzbek artefacts. On the facing pages, blank pencil sketches allow the reader to express the feelings inspired by the objects they see. ‘Fashion in Uzbekistan: Yesterday and Today’ is just the latest project whereby Lola Karimova Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev demonstrate their ongoing attachment to the rich culture of their homeland.
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