Madina Kasimbaeva

Suzani by Kasimbaeva

Embroiderer

©Andrey Arakelyan

Revamping classic patterns

Madina looks for modern avenues and uses for embroidery
She creates original ornaments from old samples of suzani
Some pieces may take years to complete

Madina Kasimbaeva founded Suzani by Kasimbaeva in 2006 and in less than two decades she has established herself as a creator of unique pieces sought after by fashion icons and global museums. She collaborates with local brands, sells her works to international collectors and creates attires for political leaders and popular artists. Madina started learning embroidery at a young age, and dedicated herself to the ancient art of suzani, studying regional schools, traditional patterns and techniques. Suzanis are large manually embroidered decorative textiles. They have been traditionally used as an important element of home decoration and played a key role in dowries historically. Today Madina also embroiders garments and accessories, combining traditions and innovation. She is always looking for ways to make the process more efficient without sacrificing the main principles of manual stitching and natural dyes.

Interview

©Andrey Arakelyan

©Andrey Arakelyan

How did you start practising your craft?: As a child, when I was 5 or 6 years old I watched my grandmother do embroidery. I attended various clubs and art school. When approaching the time of graduation, my mother asked me who I wanted to become, to which I did not hesitate to answer: a designer-craftswoman. I am very lucky in life: I found a specialty that I really love, that I am passionate about and that stimulates me.
How important is it to find a balance between tradition and innovation?: As an artisan I am passionate about ethnography and folk traditions. I am constantly learning and educating myself by adopting the knowledge of my peers. Today, craftsmanship has a place alongside many other areas of work, and it is a profession that makes people happy, because it gives them the opportunity to do what they love while earning a living.
What is the most difficult thing in your work?: To conquer yourself every time, again and again, and again... After all, each new model has to be better than the one that was invented before. That is the hardest part.
At which point are you satisfied to have reached the end result?: For me, the benchmark of satisfaction is a satisfied customer.

Madina Kasimbaeva is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2004