The New Nation - Internet Edition

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.