Beguiling portrait photographs showcase spectacular multi-coloured garments worn by Mongolian nomads

Beguiling portrait photographs showcase spectacular multi-coloured garments worn by Mongolian nomads – and handed down through the generations

  • Photographer Alessandra Meniconzi travelled from Switzerland to Central Mongolia to set up the shoot 
  • She said: ‘In the past the kings and queens of the Mongolian nomads used to wear these traditional clothes’ 
  • The photographer ‘strives to portray the lives of indigenous people with authenticity, insight and sensitivity’ 

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The spectacular traditional clothes of Mongolian nomads are showcased in a series of beguiling portrait shots.

These brightly coloured and bejewelled garments are handed down through generations.

Freelance photographer Alessandra Meniconzi travelled from her home in Lugano, Switzerland, to Central Mongolia to set up the shoot.

Ms Meniconzi said: ‘In the past the kings and queens and royalty of the Mongolian nomads used to wear these traditional clothes, which are decorated with the beautiful jewels.

‘They each had their own tailors and workshops. Now, families make these traditional clothes and hand them down through to their children.

‘The mother makes clothes for her children and they, in turn, pass this culture to their daughters and so on.’

The spectacular traditional clothes of Mongolian nomads are showcased in a series of beguiling portrait shots

These brightly coloured and bejewelled garments are handed down through generations

These brightly coloured and bejewelled garments are handed down through generations

Freelance photographer Alessandra Meniconzi travelled from her home in Lugano, Switzerland, to Central Mongolia to set up the shoot

Freelance photographer Alessandra Meniconzi travelled from her home in Lugano, Switzerland, to Central Mongolia to set up the shoot

Ms Meniconzi said: 'In the past the kings and queens and royalty of the Mongolian nomads used to wear these traditional clothes, which are decorated with the beautiful jewels

Hats off to the creator of this amazing design

Ms Meniconzi said: ‘In the past the kings and queens and royalty of the Mongolian nomads used to wear these traditional clothes, which are decorated with the beautiful jewels’

Families make these traditional clothes and hand them down through to their children

Families make these traditional clothes and hand them down through to their children

The mother makes clothes for her children and they, in turn, pass this culture to their daughters and so on

Ms Meniconzi said 'she has long been inspired by the ancient heritage, customs, and spirituality of indigenous people'

The mother makes clothes for her children and they, in turn, pass this culture to their daughters and so on

'I am motivated by a passion for the interplay between wild places and ancient cultures, as well as a fascination with and profound respect for native people who subsist in isolated regions of the world,' said Ms Meniconzi

‘I am motivated by a passion for the interplay between wild places and ancient cultures, as well as a fascination with and profound respect for native people who subsist in isolated regions of the world,’ said Ms Meniconzi

The photographer 'strives to portray the lives of indigenous people with authenticity, insight and sensitivity'

The photographer ‘strives to portray the lives of indigenous people with authenticity, insight and sensitivity’

Ms Meniconzi has published four books - The Silk Road (2004), Mystic Iceland (2007), Hidden China (2008) and QTI -Alessandra Meniconzi, Il coraggio di esser paesaggio (2011)

Ms Meniconzi has published four books – The Silk Road (2004), Mystic Iceland (2007), Hidden China (2008) and QTI -Alessandra Meniconzi, Il coraggio di esser paesaggio (2011)

'I prefer remote and rugged places,' said Ms Meniconzi, 'I love to find people who can manage to survive in these places, to discover and record their ancient way of life before they are changed by the modern era'

‘I prefer remote and rugged places,’ said Ms Meniconzi, ‘I love to find people who can manage to survive in these places, to discover and record their ancient way of life before they are changed by the modern era’

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