ASTANA – On February 27, the multi-brand boutique Red Carpet opened in one of Astana’s major malls, Sary Arka. The new boutique offers its customers collections by Aida Kaumenovа, Oxana Korby, Asem Nurseitova, Nail Baikuchukov, Aigerim Kasimbaeva and Zhanna Shopanova. The shop itself is designed in an oriental style, decorated with gold highlights and brightly coloured carpets. To celebrate the opening, a presentation of collections and a charity auction were held.
Designers, whose collections are presented at the “Red Carpet” enthusiastically cut the blue ribbon at the opening of the store.
Oxana Korby presented a pret-a-porter collection and Nail Baikuchukov, the young designer from Kyrgyzstan and a protege of Dinara Satzhan, presented a collection with a light floral print.
At the end of the presentation, a charity auction was held. The funds raised were sent to the charity foundation of Aruzhan Sain.
The first lot was a black dress from Nail Baykuchukov made of lace fabric with an open back. Several ladies, including Aida Kaumenova, bid on the dress but it went for 60,000 tenge to a blonde girl in the audience. A turquoise dress with a collar and belt was also bought for 60,000 tenge. Two headbands by Asem Nurseitova, one with silver glitter and one shiny with crystals, went for fifteen and twenty thousand tenge, respectively, to ladies from the audience. The host of the evening noted that almost all of the units were purchased by blonde guests.
After the auction, guests were invited to the store to check out the collections and purchase items to their taste at a ten percent discount.
Items in the boutique are priced to be affordable for everyone. The owner says “You can be just as fashionable as Miroslava Duma [the Russian-born it-girl] … wearing clothes made by our designers, you can be original and exclusive.”
The owner of boutique is Dinara Satzhan, a well-known journalist and TV presenter who became famous for her work at the Khabar News Agency. Satzhan started her career at the age of 16, shooting the music programme Music Station on the Shahar channel. She also led television news broadcasts at the Khabar and Astana channels. Satzhan manages two projects on the Astana channel, “Status Quo” and “Sagan Senemіn” (“I believe you” in Kazakh).
The Astana Times asked Ms. Satzhan how she manages to be a popular TV presenter and the owner of a fashion boutique at the same time.
Dinara, how long had you been thinking of opening a store?
Three years ago I opened a single-brand boutique in Astana, selling the brand Aida KaumeNOVA. It was my first experience and I have to say it was very good. For the store, I chose clothes that I like myself. Aida Kaumenova has innumerable fans in Astana. This time I decided to introduce the residents of the capital to other Kazakh designers that I really like. I decided to collect all of them in one place. The Red Carpet show room presents the latest collections by Aigul Kasymova, Oxana Corby, Aida Kaumenova, Jaka Fashion, Nail Baykuchukov and Asem Nurseitova.
Dinara Satzhan is an example of a successful woman and a great mother. On the photo she is with her son at the opening of the store.
Red Carpet has been on the market for two years already. Originally, I had planned to offer only evening gowns in the boutique but now the concept has changed, though the name remains.
How did you manage to collect all the designers you have in your store?
Aida Kaumenova is my close friend; I wore her clothes back in 2009 when I was shooting news for Khabar. Oxana Corby designed and sewed an exclusive dress for me for the Miss World contest, which I have given to the Presidential Centre of Culture. I also know Zhanna Shopanova of Jaka Fashion. Several years ago I hosted the “Altyn Sapa” Presidential Awards in a dress of her design. I believe that clothing by Aigul Kassymova helped me win the “Mrs Kazakhstan” contest. Nail Baykuchukov is my discovery, a very talented and promising designer. Asem Nurseitova has been making chic jewelry for me for several years. You see, I am bound by certain events with all the designers, but above all I am their client. I wear things that they have created.
What guides you in selecting clothing for the boutique?
Intuition and personal taste. Nothing more.
Is it profitable to be the owner of a fashion boutique?
Business is always beneficial, especially if it is for the soul.
Who are your main clients?
Successful women.
What is your favorite brand?
It is difficult to answer that, but I would say that now in my wardrobe I have more from the collections of Aida Kaumenova and Nail Baykuchukov.
