Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent was once an oasis along the Silk Road. Today, local fashion workshop Bibi Hanum is creating items that use the patterns and crafts of ikat, a traditional woven fabric. Workshop founder and designer Muhayo Aliyeva works with the rural artisans who have kept the technique alive. She creates modern dresses and accessories as a way to convey the beauty of ikat to a wider audience. Aliyeva hopes to not only conserve traditional crafts, but to also increase female employment through her workshop and partners’ studios. Follow Aliyeva as she works alongside local women to revive the traditions of the Silk Road.
