Kyrgyz model bringing grandparents’ style to the pages of Vogue

Published February 13, 2026 23:27

Aidana Seisembek

Aidana Seisembek

Vogue, Kyrgyz
Why this Kyrgyz model wore her grandparents’ clothes for Vogue / Photo: Instagram.com/sshadiiaa, photo editor: Serikzhan Kovlanbayev

Kyrgyz model Shadia Isaeva attracted attention at Seoul Fashion Week after appearing on the runway in outfits assembled from her grandparents’ clothing.

Look rooted in national tradition

Seoul Fashion Week took place Feb. 3-8. On the fourth day of shows, Isaeva appeared in traditional attire that included her grandfather’s chapan and her grandmother’s scarf.

The look was later featured in the pages of international Vogue.

Photo: Instagram.com/sshadiiaa, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Emotional reaction and inspiration

In posts on social media, the model said she still could not believe what had happened and felt so emotional that she wanted to cry.

She explained that the idea for the outfit came when she realized she did not have a complete national costume. The only items connecting her to her homeland were her grandfather’s emerald-colored chapan with gold embroidery and her grandmother’s white scarf decorated with red flowers.

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