The Turkmen capital is hosting a landmark event in the fields of trade and business cooperation, the International Exhibition and Fair “TurkmenTextile Expo 2026.” Among the participants is Russian fashion designer Olga Kadeikina, founder of the SO_love brand and a member of the Wool Processing Industry Committee of the Russian Union of Light Industry Entrepreneurs (SOUZLEGPROM).
Today, the Russian fashion industry is experiencing a period in which classical design is intertwined with advanced technologies, while cultural exchange gives rise to new creative partnerships. Olga Kadeikina is a vivid example of this approach.
In an interview with “GA”, Olga spoke about how science helps create the textiles of the future, what impressed her most about Turkmenistan, and the collaborative projects that may lie ahead for the industry.
The designer began by emphasizing that fashion is much more than sketches and runways. As a contemporary designer, she is actively involved in scientific research linking environmental sustainability and the textile industry.
“At the moment, I am pursuing a master's degree at the Far Eastern Federal University in the Faculty of Industrial Biotechnology and working on research projects. We are studying the extraction of alginate from algae for its subsequent processing into innovative materials. In addition, together with the Department of Sheep Breeding at Volgograd Agrarian University, we are planning a project focused on extracting protein from wool,” explained Olga.
The fashion designer’s scientific interests are closely connected to her primary professional activity. The latest collection of the SO_love brand was created entirely from Russian sheep’s wool. It bears the conceptual title “The Cavalry Maiden at the Ball”and is dedicated to Nadezhda Durova, the first female officer in Russian history and a heroine of the Patriotic War of 1812.
A visit to Turkmenistan became a powerful source of creative inspiration for Olga. The Russian designer admitted that she was deeply impressed by the local culture, vibrant aesthetics, and, most importantly, the careful and stylish way in which traditions are preserved.
“When I arrived here and saw the beautiful local women, I was amazed. Their embroidery is incredibly beautiful, the color combinations are stunning, and they possess a unique, innate talent for creating harmonious feminine images,” said Olga.
The professional designer highly praised the remarkable skill with which national heritage and modern fashion can be easily and effortlessly combined in the designs.
“In Russia, we constantly talk about traditional folk arts and crafts, but here I saw how brilliantly Turkmen designers adapt national fashion to a contemporary context. Traditional local clothing can and should be worn today—it is stylish and relevant. I will definitely buy something created by local artisans for myself,” stated the designer.
Olga emphasized that her visit to Ashgabat has already shaped the direction of her future work. She revealed that the next SO_love collection will be dedicated to Turkmenistan, its visual culture, and its harmonious use of color.
Her enthusiasm for the trip is also grounded in practical considerations. According to the designer, Turkmenistan possesses enormous potential for international cooperation in the light industry sector. She noted that the country offers an extensive base of high-quality raw materials, powerful processing facilities, and unique artisanal traditions.
“When I return to Russia, I will speak in detail about this highly developed industry to everyone, and first and foremost to my colleagues at SOUZLEGPROM. The prospects for cooperation are simply incredible. We definitely have much to learn from one another. I will certainly experiment with Turkmen yarn, and I am one hundred percent committed to creating a collection using Turkmen wool and down. It may well become a promising trend in the fashion industries of both countries,” concluded Olga Kadeikina.
