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.’ ‘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

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).