Home-grown artisans and designers are putting Azerbaijan’s creative side in the spotlight
16 April 2024
Considering Azerbaijan spans two continents and has a colourful history dating back millennia, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that this country is a melting pot of creativity. Just half a decade ago, even Azerbaijanis sought fashionable finds elsewhere. However, now things are changing, and the capital is becoming a must-visit for adventurous shopaholics. Here, we take a look at the best spots for shopping in Baku, whether you’re in search of hand-woven carpets that will catch your dinner guests’ attention or one-off bazaar buys designed to initiate conversation upon your return.
Taking Stock of the Local Fashion Scene
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 more than 75 labels from Azerbaijani-diaspora and Baku-based designers in its industrial-chic showroom along the city’s boulevard. Highlights from the ever-changing collection include sharp-cut blazers lined with reclaimed silk kimonos by Isabeyli, boldly silhouetted tops and dresses by MMMDM, and tees with tongue-in-cheek slogans by Off-White-esque streetwear label Estudio Barcode.
Heritage Homeware
Founded in 2013 by Azerbaijani artist and curator Aida Mahmudova, Chelebi recasts the country’s traditional arts and crafts as contemporary home decor. Its showroom on the perimeter of Port Baku Mall reopened last September as a shoppable gallery for furniture, home fragrances, and ceramics. In collaboration with the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, Chelebi reinterprets heritage materials and techniques into high-design homeware, including ceramic plates and cups that draw inspiration from frescoes in historical residences.
Classic Carpet Weaving
Like many countries along the former Silk Route, Azerbaijan boasts carpet-weaving prowess that can be traced back thousands of years. Artisan communities from Shirvan to Tabriz developed their own signature colours, patterns, and techniques, which UNESCO recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. On a mission to keep this ancient craft alive, state-run Azerkhalcha works with women across the country to produce fresh iterations of classic designs. At its flagship shop in the Old City, it hosts loom-weaving demos and collaborates with local artists to create limited edition pieces.
Jewellery and Precious Pieces
Azerbaijan’s paisley-like buta, a Zoroastrian symbol for fire, is a recurring motif in the collection of rings, bracelets, and necklaces made in the atelier of Baku-based brand Resm. At its store and showroom in the Nasimi district, each piece is displayed with a note on the historical or cultural significance of its design. Additionally, The Anjir’s handmade pieces adopt a more modern aesthetic with bubble-like gold rings, pearl chokers, and bracelets that feature unique cultural elements.
Bazaar Buys
Locals flock to Yasil Bazar (Green Bazaar), northeast of the Old City, for groceries and a wide variety of suitcase-friendly souvenirs. Many vendors offer samples of nuts and local cheeses, making this a vibrant hub of Azerbaijani culture.
Wholesome Handicrafts
As a community-oriented offshoot of Azerbaijan’s Social Innovations state agency, Abad helps small-scale farmers and folk artists with financial planning and marketing. Its Baku outpost houses unique handicrafts, including colourful wooden cheeseboards and quirky socks printed with traditional motifs.
Hipster Hub of Baku
Gazelli House encompasses two boutiques, a café, and a wellness centre, all set in an unassuming residential building. It has become a hang-out for Baku’s trendy crowd, offering a range of pomegranate-scented cosmetics, healing crystals, and bespoke tea blends.
Final Thoughts on Shopping in Baku
Baku offers a rich tapestry of shopping experiences, from local fashion to traditional handicrafts. The city’s unique blend of history, culture, and modern creativity makes it a prime destination for anyone looking to explore and appreciate Azerbaijani craftsmanship.
