Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbek concept store Teplo has made history as the first retail participant at the prestigious London Design Biennale. Inspired by the cultural legacy of the Silk Road, sustainable design, and independent creativity from Central Asia, the unique retail installation titled The Silk Road Pop-Up opened in London this June.

"Being invited to launch the first-ever retail pavilion at the London Design Biennale is a major milestone not just for Teplo, but for the entire community of designers and artisans in Uzbekistan. We believe this event will open doors for new talent from the region and highlight the global importance of authentic Central Asian design," said Teplo Store co-founder Charos Kamalova.

The exhibition showcases works from over 300 independent brands from Central Asia — ranging from clothing and accessories to ceramics and textiles. Notably, 95% of these brands are founded by women and maintain strong ties to traditional artisanal techniques.

With the support of AloqaBank, independent Uzbek designers such as Dildora Kasimova, Moel Bosh, Suraya Collection, and Art and Artisans were able to present their creations at the biennale. The space was designed by ARC Architects, with a visually compelling art installation by Zulfiya Spowart. The project was curated by Alisa Lisovskaya, an internationally experienced art producer.