Introducing designer Altanzul Togtokh and the collection MODERN CULTURE! Photography by Karen Cavallaro. The models are Simone Tramylaa, Ganbayr Huslen and Nina Stähli. Make up and Hair by Niklas Hiller. Jewelry Design by Kateryna Litvi.
“Hello, I’m Altanzul Togtokh (21). I was born in Mongolia and moved to Germany with my family when I was 12 years old. Now, I’m studying Fashion Design at the Fashion Design Institute (FDI). Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of studying fashion design, though I never dared to pursue it. However, over time, my dreams and vision to share Mongolian culture with the world caught up with me. My culture and traditions have always been a significant part of me. My grandparents are nomads, and my childhood memories are inseparable from them.
Growing up as a nomad in the vast Mongolian landscape, moving with the seasons, is an extraordinary lifestyle one that requires immense discipline, endurance, and respect for the wisdom passed down by our ancestors. This is just one aspect of Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage. My homeland has so much to offer, from fascinating stories to unique and breathtaking landscapes. My vision is to combine all of this with my passion for fashion and show the world the incredible beauty of Mongolia.”
“Today, there is still so much everyday racism, something I have experienced daily even after 10 years of living in Germany. Often, Asians are stereotyped, categorized, and dismissed as the same, which shows a lack of respect for the diverse cultures across Asia. One of my goals is to show the world the incredible variety of traditions and cultures across Asia and the vast richness one can discover within them.”
“This is why I’ve drawn inspiration from both Mongolian and Korean cultures for my collection, „Modern Culture“. I wanted to create my patterns and incorporate them into the fabrics. The designs are inspired by traditional Asian patterns and Mongolian script. I also used colours from nature, which are significant not only in Mongolia but also in many other Asian cultures. A key feature of my collection is the fabric manipulation with organza, which appears throughout the collection. This technique, called „Jokagbo“, originates from Korea. It involves reusing fabric scraps, traditionally used for traditional Korean garments”.
What began as a plain white fabric is now adorned with paint and patterns, reflecting Asian culture and the beauty of nature. The fabric has transformed into my unique “Altai Design” collection, embodying my passion for fashion design and my deep connection to my heritage.”
@altanzul_togtokh
@altai.design
Photography by Karen Cavallaro @cavallaroretouch
Make up and Hair stylist: Niklas Hiller @niklas_hlr
Models: Simone Tramylaa @tramylaa
Ganbayr Huslen @nelsuhkkkk
Nina Stähli @slaywittchen
Jewelry Designer: Kateryna Litvin @litvin_art_jewelry
