SHOPPING IN BAKU

Home-grown artisans and designers are putting Azerbaijan's creative side in the spotlight.

- Chris Schalkx

PRECIOUS PIECES

Azerbaijan's paisley-like buta, a Zoroastrian symbol for fire, is a recurring motif in rings, bracelets, and necklaces made by Bakubased brand Resm. At its store in the Nasimi district, each piece is displayed with a note on the design's cultural significance, from kaleidoscopic carpets (translated into earrings studded with amethysts) to cufflinks inspired by the ancient rock carvings found in the nearby Gobustan region. Handmade pieces by The Anjir adopt a more modern aesthetic: bubble-like gold rings, pearl chokers, bracelets with hamsa pendants. They're sold at its store on Rasul Rza street, along with feather-fringed dresses, boxy suits, and tops by local designers like Anara Zakirli and The Noisé. resm.​com; @theanjir21

TAKING STOCK

Before designer Nazrin Agharzayeva launched Azerbaijan's first local fashion platform, Stock, with business partners Anar Iskandarli and Saida Nazirova in 2019, Baku's style crowd only had eyes for foreign brands. "The attitude towards local designers wasn't great," she says. "Everyone thought clothes imported from abroad were better." With Stock, the trio aim to shift that mindset by bringing together over 75 labels from Azerbaijani-diaspora and Baku-based designers in its industrialchic showroom along the city's boulevard. Highlights from the ever-changing collection include Isabeyli's sharp-cut blazers lined with reclaimed silk from kimonos, boldly silhouetted tops and dresses by MMMDM and tees with tongue-in-cheek slogans by streetwear label Estudio Barcode. Hit up nearby Concept Store 27 for silk shawls by designer Menzer Hajiyeva, who puts a new spin on the traditional block-printed kelagayi head scarves worn by Azerbaijani women. stockinstockout: concept.store27

BAZAAR BUYS