Aruzhan Akchanova is a multidisciplinary designer from Almaty, Kazakhstan. She approaches her creative process through experimentation with mixed media and exploration of tactile surfaces.

Specialising in weave at Central Saint Martins has enabled her to combine artistry with technical knowledge of fabric construction and convey stories onto fabric.

Aruzhan draws inspiration from her Kazakh, nomadic heritage and the philosophy of “Tengri”, which is rooted in staying connected to your ancestors and nature. Memories of the sky above the endless steppes and ancient traditions that are still practiced to this day, served as an infinite source of inspiration. Her research also consists of collecting stories from ‘modern’ nomads across the world, who, like her, have found themselves far away from their homelands.