On 10 September, a special screening of “A New Look: Uzbek Fashion Following Independence,” a documentary by young British filmmaker Dan Akhm exploring the development of fashion in independent Uzbekistan, took place in London with the support of the Eurasian Creative Guild. The film was introduced by Silk Road Media Adviser Taina Kaunis.
The screening was dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.
The evening was opened by Marta Brassart, former Chair and now Honorary Guardian of the Guild, who introduced guests to the work of the Eurasian Creative Guild and its international projects. This was followed by a presentation on the ECG Eurasian Film Festival, previously held in London, where “A New Look” was first presented to an audience.
The screening sparked a strong emotional response and developed into a lively discussion. Marat Akhmedjanov, one of the figures featured in the story and a pioneer of Uzbekistan’s private fashion industry, spoke about contemporary Uzbek fashion. The conversation soon moved beyond the film itself, exploring the relationship between clothing, cultural codes, traditions and everyday life.
The discussion brought together representatives of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, the United Kingdom, and Australia, turning a conversation about fashion into a shared exploration of how different cultures express identity and their relationship with the world through clothing.
The official programme concluded with remarks from Olga Igumnova-Lawson, Guardian of the Guild and creator of international projects in the fashion industry. Afterwards, guests had the opportunity to continue the conversation in a more informal setting.
It is encounters like these that transform a film screening into something more — a space for new connections, questions and genuine cross-cultural dialogue.
The organisers extend their special thanks to the Yunus Emre Institute for providing the venue and technical support for the screening.
