In pictures: 18th-century beauty in the snowy mountains of Kazakhstan

The powdered faces, flushed cheeks and red rosebud lips of the 18th century have proven an endlessly rich source of creative inspiration across fashion and beauty for decades – think: the make-up looks at Vivienne Westwood’s Spring 1994 ‘Cafe Society’ show or the many exquisite collaborations between John Galliano and Pat McGrath. There’s something about the romanticism and decadence of these rococo styles that always lends itself well to creating drama and contrast. It’s exactly these qualities which makes photographer Iga Drobisz’s new shoot so captivating.

Set deep in the frost-covered mountains of Almaty in Kazakhstan, the shoot sees Drobisz team up with designer Ismail Luceat-Anima to make two of her creative dreams come true: shooting in snowy mountains and recreating beauty looks inspired by the 18th century via Westwood, Galliano and McGrath. “I have always wanted to shoot in the snowy mountains and I was hoping to make this dream come true in Kazakhstan,” says Drobisz. She didn’t know anyone in the area, however, until she stumbled upon Luceat-Anima, who had relocated from Russia after it became too dangerous to be there as queer non-binary person. “We met for a fitting and I couldn’t stop picturing their designs in the snowy landscapes.”

After scouting Nuray – “with the longest legs in town” – to model in the shoot, Drobisz made a moodboard of the beauty looks she was envisaging, full of the powdery faces and smudged lips of “legendary” shows like Westwood’s 1991 ‘Portraits’ collection and Galliano’s SS10 collection for his eponymous brand. It was a perfect fit for Luceat-Anima’s designs, which have always been inspired by the 18th century. “I adore combining the exaggerated sexuality of [this time period] with modern destructivism,” they say. “I draw inspiration from nature, history, the present and the future all at once.”

The final piece of the puzzle was the landscape and the enchanting nature of Kazakhstan which Luceat-Anima says has awakened their creativity. “I love how the mystical mood of the mountains perfectly matches the clothing, make-up, and model. It turned out so beautifully.” At the end of the shoot, model Nuray gifted Drobisz a bag of “kurt”, a traditional Kazakh cheese made by drying fermented sheep milk in the sun until it’s hard as a rock. “It’s been part of the diet of the nomadic tribes for centuries as it’s so easy to store and transport,” she says. “It’s not everyday you get cheese from a model on a shoot, so that’s definitely one to remember!”

Photography and direction Iga Drobisz, costume design Ismail Luceat - Anima, hair and make-up Ainur Yerubayeva, model Nuray Rakhymbay / Silence, earrings Baggira