Kazakh man in chapan walks the runway in New York

Kazakhstan national Zhasulan, known on Instagram as qazaq_in_america_, walked the runway in a traditional national chapan during a fashion event in New York, El.kz reports.

The incident took place during New York Fashion Week, with the Spring/Summer 2027 season concluding on September,15.

Zhasulan explained that his decision was motivated by a desire to showcase Kazakhstan’s traditional menswear and national identity.

In a social media post, the Kazakh national said he had been invited to attend the fashion show as a member of the audience. He said he was impressed by the atmosphere of the event and by collections presented by designers from different countries.

“Friends, I was invited as a guest to NEW YORK FASHION SHOW. The atmosphere, the energy, fashion from all over the world!” Zhasulan wrote.

According to him, the event featured collections by Kazakhstani designers. However, he noted the lack of a traditional Kazakh menswear look among the presentations.

“I saw beautiful collections, including those by our designers, but they were mainly focused on women’s looks. There was no traditional male image from Kazakhstan.”

Zhasulan emphasized that he had not been participating in the show as a model.

“I was sitting in the audience and realized that I simply could not just watch. I am not a model or a participant; I was simply a guest. But this is my country, my culture, my pride.”

Zhasulan then appeared before the audience wearing a chapan. According to him, the purpose of his runway appearance was to draw attention to the male component of traditional Kazakh national attire.

“And that is when I walked out in a chapan not for the stage, but to remind people that ‘men’s traditional looks are also part of our identity.’”

Kazakhstan was represented at events in New York by a large delegation comprising approximately 60 designers, models and members of production teams.

Kazakhstani designers Timur Tursunkulov, Raushan Anuarbekova and Sabina Volskaya presented their collections in Manhattan. The shows also featured older models from Anuarbekova’s project Älemdi tañğaldyrğan qazaq äzheleri (“Kazakh Grandmothers Who Amazed the World”).

Following his runway appearance, Zhasulan expressed hope that traditional Kazakh menswear would be featured more frequently on international fashion platforms.

“I believe we can showcase Kazakhstan in all its diversity both feminine and masculine, contemporary while remaining rooted in our heritage. I would be pleased if there were more men’s looks next time. We are part of this story too.”