In this Research in Progress Seminar, Eva Lennartz uses fashion to study youth identity in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. She focuses particularly on the expression of identity in the respective capital cities of Baku and Astana.
- PhD student
- Date
- Thursday 16 Nov 2023, 13:00 - 14:00
- Type
- Seminar
- Spoken Language
- English
- Room
- Room 4.39
- Location
- International Institute of Social Studies
- Ticket information
No registration is required to attend this event in-person.
The objective of her research is to investigate the various factors that influence how young people in these countries shape their identities through their fashion choices.
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan both gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and share not only a Soviet past but also common cultural characteristics, including language and cultural heritage. As countries in transition, they provide an intriguing reference point for understanding other societies and enabling a deeper comprehension of the interconnectedness that permeates geographical and cultural contexts.
'Born Qazaq'
Specifically, my study centres on exploring youth identity through fashion in the capital cities of Baku and Astana. While Baku boasts a rich historical background, Astana is a relatively new city since it became the capital in 1997.
Fashion, often originating in urban centres, offers valuable insights into various aspects of identity, making the city an analytical lens for my research. In Kazakhstan, the rise of young fashion designers, particularly the brand Qazaq Republic with its distinctive 'Born Qazaq' slogan on their t-shirts, has been striking. However, this trend is not replicated in Azerbaijan.
- More information
The Research in Progress seminars provide an informal venue for presentations of ongoing research by ISS researchers and scholars from the wider development studies community.
