The New Nation - Internet Edition

Fashion: Bibi Productions starts journey: Bibi Russell’s 1st shop inaugurated

Bibi Russell looking her production

Fashion designer Bibi Russell and media personality
Dihan at Bibi's new shop: Photo: Sharif Khan

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

“As a fashion designer, I came back to Bangladesh in 1994 with the intention of making my first collection entirely with the exquisite hand woven textiles of my country. I travelled extensively in rural areas of different parts of the country and was amazed by the richness and variety of handloom products. However, I realized that before going for a large-scale use of these fine fabrics and crafts, their quality had to be assured in a sustained manner. Also, I realized that there was ample scope for bringing in novelty amongst these products in terms of textures, colour and design. For more than a decade I have been working with the weavers and artisans of Bangladesh and those of other countries in different regions of the world. Their skills and knowledge of traditional textiles and other hand made products, by their passion for art and crafts and by their perseverance to preserve their heritage astonish me. Over the years, I have come to know and understand the various kinds of weaving and different handmade goods. I have also witnessed the difficult work environment, deplorable living conditions and the precautious livelihoods of craftspeople," said country's pioneer fashion designer Bibi Russell at the opening of her first shop named 'Bibi Productions' at House No 45 (3rd floor), Road No 27, Dhanmondi in the city on July 24.

The shop of Bibi Russell started under the banner of 'Fashion for Development.'

While replying about why she has taken initiative to set up the shop, Bibi said, "Promoting crafts and supporting craftspeople has thence become my mission. With my formal training in high fashion and design, my knowledge and deep understanding of traditional crafts and my own creative instincts, I have been examining ways of harmoniously blending tradition and modernity, fostering innovations, assuring quality and introducing novelty in handloom textiles and handicrafts. My limited resources and time have since been fully devoted to this endeavour. Each year I have systematically designed my spring or summer and autumn or winter collection, made entirely from these products demonstrating both their beauty and viability through fashion shows in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Bibi Products is now ready to market its products nationally and internationally under the banner of 'Fashion for Development.' For this reason, we have launched our first shop as a tribute to the artisans of Bangladesh."

Artisans of the country are striving to preserve the heritage of the country. They are unable to sell their products on a regular basis and due to lack of adequate support.

To save our age-old cultural wealth and to give due visibility to it, we have to stand by our artisans and maximise opportunities for them to sell their products, within Bangladesh and beyond. Indeed, we also need to provide them with appropriate mechanism for innovation and quality assurance, said Bibi.

Kumudini, Aarong, Aranya, Probartana and many others have paved the way towards the development of crafts in Bangladesh. In order to ensure decent work and a regular income for millions of skilled artisans this effort might help them for their sustainable development. Time will say what will be happened.

Celebrity News: Mithi’s sweet smile

Masuma Hossain Khan Mithi

Entertainment Desk

Masuma Hossain Khan Mithi - a promising star in the media. She has completed a four-year course on 'Classical Dance' from Bulbul Lalita Kala Academy (BAFA).

During her childhood, her aim was to establish in the media. As a result, she has participated in the 'Binodon Photo Beauty Contest.'

While asked her in which sector she wants to work most, she smiled and replied, "I want to work in drama. I am a member of a theatre group - Aranyak. I have performed in drama serial 'Swapnamongal' directed by Kamal Khan."

Soon she will work another mega serial of Salauddin Lavlu. She also wants to work with Kaiser Ahmed, Komol Chakma and AD Dulal.

Meanwhile she also wants to do modelling. She believes that only good work can establish her in the media.

Film Fair: Chalachitra Mela on Aug 2

Film actor Sohel Rana speaking at the press
conference: NN Photo

Entertainment Report

To celebrate the 50 years of Bengali movies, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) and Channel i are going to organise a special film fair named Chalachitra Mela at the BFDC premises on August 2.

This was disclosed at a press conference at Manna Digital Bhaban Complex of BFDC in the city yesterday.

ANM Badrul Amin, Managing Director of BFDC, Faridur Reza Sagor, Managing Director of Channel i, Sohel Rana, actor, Abdur Rahman, Main Coordinator of the fair, Sahidul Alam Sacchu, producers, film makers, among others, were present on the occasion.

The day-long programme will be inaugurated by Jamil Osman, Secretary of the Information Ministry, at 11:00am. It will continue till 5:00pm. Channel I will arrange to live air the programme.

Besides, film artists and related persons, editors of national dailies will be also present at the fair.

Different types of stalls under the banner of Film Producers Association, Film Directors Association, Film Artists Association, Film Distributors Agencies, Editors Gild, Film Archive, FDC, Film Journalists Association, Media Centre, Film Club, Amar Chhabi, Films' Songs, Anupam Recording Media, Fahim Audio, Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Bangladesh Motion Pictures Exhibitors Association and 'Ranna Ghar' of Keka Ferdousi will take place in the film fair, said the organisers.

Hollywood: Pamela Anderson starring in new reality show

Pamela Anderson

Associated Press

Pamela Anderson is shacking up with Tommy Lee again - but not like that.

The 41-year-old former 'Baywatch' star is living with her ex-husband and their two sons - Dylan, 10; Brandon, 12 - in Lee's Calabasas enclave while her new Malibu mansion is under construction. Anderson says the pair, whose honeymoon video was infamously unleashed on the Internet, aren't an item again. But she isn't ruling out the possibility. "The dream would be that all of us could really be together, but we're better friends," Anderson told The Associated Press during an interview at manager Peter Asher's house Wednesday. "We're great friends. We just live together. And we're ex-husband and wife. It's kinda silly. I don't know where that's gonna go."

Anderson's tumultuous love life has long been tabloid fodder. Last March, she officially annulled her shorter-than-short marriage to Rick Salomon, the man best known for making a sex tape with Paris Hilton. In 2006, she was married to 'Bawitdaba' rocker Kid Rock for less than four months. And now she has feelings for yet another man: Barack Obama.

"I love him," she told the AP.

"I think he's going to win. I like that he's opening up conversations all over the world. I think he's smart and charismatic. I think it's important to have a president that people actually like. I know my kids want to be like him. I think he has a great message. It'll be nice when people like America again."

Anderson said her new series 'Pam: Girl on the Loose,' premiering August 3 on E!, was supposed to document her preparing for a glitzy peep show-style production helmed by Broadway director Jerry Mitchell at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. However, Anderson decided against trading Malibu for The Strip full-time.

Instead, 'Girl on the Loose' provides a look at Anderson's everyday life.

So why do a reality show?

"I'm not worried about cleaning up my image," said Anderson. "You know how you do things, and you don't really know why you're doing them until the end? I don't know why I'm doing this yet. I'm just known I'm an exhibitionist. Some people are afraid to be found. I'm afraid not to be found. It's one of those weird opportunities. And it was an incredible deal."

The eight-episode series - produced by World of Wonder Productions - was shot mostly on film as well as on Anderson's personal video camera. Anderson insisted her children not be included.

"I do it while they're at school and at camp," she said. "There's no cameras in my house. When there's cameras in my house, they're not there."

Mouchake Dhil on ATN Bangla tonight

Shabnam Parvin and Saleh Ahmed in Mouchake
Dhil

Entertainment Desk

Drama serial 'Mouchake Dhil' will be aired on ATN Bangla at 8:00pm tonight.

Abu Sufian and Sabrina are directors of the serial, while script was written by Abu Sufian.

ATM Shamsuzzaman, Sal-auddin Lovelu, Inamul Haque, Dolly Zahur, Azizul Hakim, Deepa Khondaker, Faruk Ahmed, Putul, Shabnam Parvin, Saleh Ahmed, Sohel, Ferdousi Lina, Hridy Haque, Sajjad Reza, among others, performed in the drama serial.

Story of 'Mouchake Dhil' is based on story of middle class family. Different kinds of incidents and surrounding lives of the society took place in the serial. It is an enjoyable serial with various entertainments where our humour and whit are closely related with each other.