Photos of Minister of Health Akmaral Alnazarova with a Fendi bag and Valentino shoes caused a storm of discussion. People are arguing whether the head of the social department has the right to wear a suite or should she show modesty? Let's get this straight.
Clothing as a visual message
Clothing is a part of communication, a way to express attitudes towards the world and signal one's own position, especially when it comes to people in power. Wardrobe elements always speak about status, values and attitude towards society. A strict suit speaks of power and control, loose fit and minimalism - about accessibility and modernity, luxury and brands - about status, but also about distance; simplicity and local brands - about proximity to people and commitment to national interests…
When politicians want to reduce their distance from the audience, they hold informal meetings without ties, and when the security services need to complete operational tasks, they wear uniforms that signal their special status to others. Doctors wear white coats – a symbol of impeccable cleanliness, which is the main condition for successful treatment. The chefs also work in white uniforms, tucking their hair under a headdress, which indicates a scrupulous approach to cooking safe food. Many companies develop branded clothing for their employees to emphasize their mission, professionalism, and demonstrate their attitude to customers. This method of visual communication still works, and is especially enhanced with the development of technologies capable of quickly capturing and distributing an image.
If the appearance contradicts the social role
When a photo of Minister Alnazarova with a six-thousand-dollar Fendi bag appeared online in September 2025, the publication instantly caused an effect of public irritation. After all, the suite presented by the minister was in stark contrast to the social context - doctors' complaints about outdated equipment and low salaries, and the dissatisfaction of many citizens with the MHI system.
At the same time, some commentators on social media wondered, "What's the big deal? Alnazarova is a minister, she shouldn't dress like a cleaner," and technically they are right. Of course, the minister is not prohibited from having a personal style, buying beautiful things and expressing himself. But a public role always limits your personal space.
A minister, a diplomat, a deputy - they all live in a system where clothes become part of public communication. How appropriate is luxury in a region where the average monthly salary does not exceed 200 thousand tenge? How necessary is it to emphasize the love of an expensive brand in an environment where the state is not always able to provide high-quality uniforms for ambulance workers?
Of course, ministers and other high-ranking officials can wear Fendi and Valentino. If there is real work, reforms, and attention to the interests of taxpayers behind this image, the branded item is absolutely not annoying, especially if the price does not exceed the official income of officials. But if the image has serious problems or even failures in the industries supervised by the politician, any noticeable detail in the wardrobe turns into a reputational mistake.
How not to trap yourself
The biggest incident in this story was the reaction of the main character to the remark of the press. The journalist's question about the minister's expensive accessories was dismissed as "personal." In fact, at that moment, the minister had the opportunity to show the human side, to explain, to align the perception. A reputationally competent answer could be simple: "Yes, all women love beautiful accessories and clothes, but my priority is to work on reforms that will change the working conditions of doctors, improve the quality of medical care... and so on." Any attempt to hide in such cases looks like arrogance, and this public lesson is very revealing and valuable for all participants in government communications.
Ideally, wardrobe items resonate with a professional mission, symbolize the values of its owner. This is what everyone who still believes in a quality of perception by society should strive for. When there is a gap between the image and the context, trust disappears faster than any fashion.