 Bangladeshi
designers showed that their country was ready to take on the world
in terms of Fashion Design. Not content to just manufacture some of
the world's biggest brands, the country is now all set to promote
its original designers who can offer both prêt-a-porter and
couture designs to a rapidly expanding market, said an official release.
The Fashion week was a result of a chance meeting Bangladesh's
renowned model Bibi Russell had with Shobhaa De, who was so impressed
with Bibi's work that she felt it had to lead an effort to showcase
the country's vibrant and energized design initiative.
 When
Shobhaa mentioned the idea to Broadcast Worldwide chairman Rathikant
Basu, he decided to take up the project immediately. To ensure that
the Bangladesh Fashion Week became a regular annual feature on the
Fashion calendar, he met the leading designers of Bangladesh and
proposed the formation of an apex body on the lines of the Fashion
Design Council of India. He also roped in Prasad Bidapa as Producer
so that the event was organized professionally to the same international
standards as other Fashion Weeks, said the release.
The leading designers of Bangladesh came together under the stewardship
of Bibi Russell to form the Bangladesh Fashion Alliance, their equivalent
of the FDCI. With dates set in early July, the eight designers would
present their collection with five designers from India invited
as well.
 At
a glittering function held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, one of
Dhaka's finest hotels, all of the city's fashionistas attended in
droves. Day One opened with Maheen Khan. One of Dhaka's most directional
designers, her combination of classic colours in black, white and
red were translated into a chic retro collection pointed collars
on fitted shirts were detailed with rows of buttons, creating a
modern silhouette.
Anamika Khanna followed with a rich and texturised collection of
very modern peasant inspired shapes that were layered and worn to
great effect. Next, Aneela Haque, a trained graphic designer showed
her mastery over the medium with her superbly printed collection
of silk ensembles that floated down the ramp with great elegance
and style. Here is a designer we think would make a huge impact
in India.
 India's
own Kiran Uttam Ghosh showed an eclectic mix of the styles she is
well known for in India. Rina Lateef is a premier wedding trousseau
designer there, and her collection reflected the tehzeeb and tradition
of an impeccable sensibility.
On Day Two, Bibi Russell showed off a superbly detailed collection
of separates and ensembles in cream and white - demonstrating just
why she is the doyenne of international fashion. Satya Paul was
up next, and his breezy, post modernistic sarees were a great hit,
as were his vibrant colours and impeccable printed silks.
 Kuhu,
a painter and sculptor in Dhaka had recently made a foray into painting
on textiles and fashion wear. Her unique viewpoint celebrated the
Royal Bengal Tiger, the flora and fauna of her native country. Lita
was the next traditionalist to show, and her Jamdhani sarees were
like jewels, each one a rare and precious woven masterpiece that
celebrated the colour and joy of the Bangladeshi people.
Sisters Mona and Pali departed from their signature look of ethnic
formalwear to create a collection that Vivienne Westwood would have
been proud to have designed, Her menswear celebrated the brash young
male in cut offs and sleeveless shirts, beautifully printed and
overprinted again, with a surface texture added on with embroidery.
Abhishek Gupta's funky, hip men's wear and wife Nandita's equally
progressive women's collection made the audience sit up in shock
and awe.
 The
weekend however belonged to Aarong, who fielded four of their top
design team headed by the attractive Tamara Abed, with a trousseaux
collection of ensembles, saris and men's formal looks that would
make our designers sit up and take notice, and the buyers notice
that these exquisite clothes sold for a fraction of the price of
what Indian designers would have sold it for.
27 Bangladeshi Models headed by supermodels Tupa, Chaitee, Logono,
Tumpa and Lisa walked the ramp with style and grace, and among the
male models, the two Asifs, Xia. Abir, Alif and Abir would definitely
give some of our boys a complex.
The guests present included the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary, Shamsher
Chowdhury Shobhaa De and Dilip De, The Indian High Commissioner,
Veena Sikri, The British and the French Ambassadors amongst others.
The event was managed by Momentum, a division of Unitrend Advertising
and Prasad Bidapa Associates handled the creative.
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