Childhood memories
I remember my childhood at my grandmother’s house in Angren. Her image at the tandoor in national dress remains the most vivid memory of my childhood. At that time, I had my first desire to show everyone how beautiful an Uzbek woman is. This idea finally took shape when, during my studies in China, I amazed representatives of other countries with the khan-atlas of Uzbekistan.
The chapan that amazed America
The dream of showing the beauty of Uzbek culture firmly took hold in America. At that time, walking around the university campus, I caught the admiring glances of strangers at my ikat chapan, which was purchased at the Chorsu market before I moved.
The years that I spent in the United States developed in me a sense of styling: the ability to combine things that not everyone would dare to wear. My looks became even more colourful and my life more interesting.
All roads lead to Chorsu
After opening an account on Instagram in 2016, I started posting photos of everyday looks. To my surprise, it generated a lot of enthusiastic feedback. Then I realised that my vision is interesting to readers. With blogging, I started organising exclusive tours to Chorsu for tourists and residents.
Thanks to this hobby, I managed to work with representatives of the Cartier jewellery house, to show them the Uzbekistan that I know, and to inspire a famous British director to buy a chapan for filming. In parallel, during this period, I provided stylist services. When a person wants a change in life, the first thing they do is change their appearance.
“Behind fear there is always growth, and behind dreams there is creation and development.”
The Queen of Chapans — “Coco Chapan”
The experience of living in Pakistan was also useful. I found the country incredible: Pakistanis know how to preserve their identity. They are recognised by their clothes everywhere. This is what I was aiming for: to be able to identify Uzbeks instantly.
When I returned to Tashkent, I set myself the task of defining who I am. This is the merit of my readers, who gave me the title “Coco Chapan”. Over the past year and a half, I have sold more than 600 T-shirts with the same name print, which are now worn by girls all over the world.
“Beqassam”: from Tashkent to Paris
“Beqassam” is a unique project that took chapan seller Khozhiakbar Khoshimov from Chorsu to Paris. I knew him long before his popularity: we collaborated at the beginning of my blog. The creation of the Beqassam brand only strengthened our friendship.
My third fashion show was held as part of the Face of Uzbekistan contest in collaboration with Khozhiakbar. The organisers of the project wanted me to present my collection on the catwalk. In their opinion, my work reflected the Uzbek flavour in a special, native way. Of course, these words were a confirmation that I was doing everything right.
Fear is the road to dreams
I remember when I held my first fashion show in the house of the writer Abdulla Qodiriy. It was an exciting event for me. I was afraid: “What if it doesn’t work?” Over time, I realised that behind fear there is always growth, and behind dreams there is creation and development.
Who knew that a couple of years after the first show I would find myself in the heart of France and hold my third fashion show as a designer? During the closing of the show I remembered the picture I drew many years ago: standing under the spotlight, bouquets of flowers in my hands, everyone applauding. How can you not believe in dreams!
Originally published in Uzbekistan Airways inflight magazine, Spring 2024.
