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The designer, Aishat Kadyrova, showcased a collection of
outfits in sumptuous fabrics that conform to the norms of dress
in Chechnya's traditional society, with only the face and hands
left uncovered.
Her first Moscow fashion show on Friday night was attended by
figures from the Moscow fashion world, from the Chechen elite,
as well as representatives from Middle Eastern states -- which
her fashion house sees as a growing market for her outfits.
Ulzana Zadulayeva, a spokeswoman for the fashion house, told
Reuters that the outfits were already being shipped to customers
as far afield as Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
She said proposals had come in from people attending Friday's
show to stage shows in other locations. "Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, we
will be thinking about these," said Zadulayeva.
She also said the fashion house was hoping to set up stores in
Moscow and St Petersburg under a franchise arrangement.
Aishat Kadyrova's father is a former separatist fighter-turned
pro-Kremlin leader of Chechnya. Human rights groups accuse him
of overseeing brutal crackdowns on opponents, an allegation he
denies.
According to New York-based group Human Rights Watch, Chechnya's
authorities force women to cover their hair in public spaces and
buildings, and ignore harassment of women deemed to be dressed
immodestly.
In fashion terms, Ramzan Kadyrov is best-known for going out in
public wearing camouflage fatigues or track suits, and for
occasionally posing for photographs with a lion he once kept as
a pet.
His wife, Medni, set up a fashion house some years ago, called
Firdaws. Their daughter Aishat has since taken over the
enterprise.
(Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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