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There’s more to the fashion industry in Bangladesh than just the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ labels you come across on most clothing from global high-street brands

7 Bangladeshi designers who are making a mark in the world of fashion

There’s more to the fashion industry in Bangladesh than just the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ labels you come across on most clothing from global high-street brands

Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of Independence last December, but don’t be fooled by its age or its expanse. In less than 50 short years, the country has mastered the craft of fashion development, catering to a number of popular fashion brands from across the world. If you check the tags of the clothes you currently have in your closet, chances are there is at least one garment you own that is ‘Made in Bangladesh’.

Although exporting fashion is crucial for supporting the country’s economy, there is a growing local cohort of young designers who have cultivated a passionate following. Here are seven such designers who are challenging the norm of fashion in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Vintage:Fondly known as the ‘tokai’ (translated as ‘trash collector’ in Bengali) amongst her family and friends, Fathia Tamanna started her label Dhaka Vintage by upcycling clothing and jewellery that were meant to be thrown away. As an avid collector of anything and everything interesting, Tamanna has stories of scoring amazing finds from the most random places–her aunt's wardrobe, an old junkyard, even on the streets of Dhaka–and giving them a new lease of life. “I am obsessed with the idea of nostalgia and how certain things make me feel. You will see that a Dhaka Vintage pantsuit that isn’t traditionally South Asian in terms of its style but makes you feel nostalgic [owing to the use of material from old sarees]. All of my upcycled items will give away my roots, which I share with other South Asians who feel the same,” says Tamanna, whose aim is to keep the label niche, offering one-of-a-kind meaningful pieces that last for generations. “All of my upcycled items will always give away my roots which I share with other South Asians who feel the same,” she says.Instagram: @Dhakavintage

Dhaka Vintage:

Fondly known as the ‘tokai’ (translated as ‘trash collector’ in Bengali) amongst her family and friends, Fathia Tamanna started her label Dhaka Vintage by upcycling clothing and jewellery that were meant to be thrown away. As an avid collector of anything and everything interesting, Tamanna has stories of scoring amazing finds from the most random places–her aunt's wardrobe, an old junkyard, even on the streets of Dhaka–and giving them a new lease of life. “I am obsessed with the idea of nostalgia and how certain things make me feel. You will see that a Dhaka Vintage pantsuit that isn’t traditionally South Asian in terms of its style but makes you feel nostalgic [owing to the use of material from old sarees]. All of my upcycled items will give away my roots, which I share with other South Asians who feel the same,” says Tamanna, whose aim is to keep the label niche, offering one-of-a-kind meaningful pieces that last for generations. “All of my upcycled items will always give away my roots which I share with other South Asians who feel the same,” she says.

Instagram: @Dhakavintage

Menka:A slow fashion label that embodies the self-confidence of a Bangladeshi woman, Sabiha Akond Rupa’s label Menka exists to empower the local handloom artisans and weavers from marginalised communities. Since its inception in 2014, the label has achieved an impressive cult-like popularity among the customers who connect with Rupa’s way of telling stories about each handloom saree she creates. The designer’s aim is to expand the work she does at Menka as a global platform for Bangladeshi handloom fabrics. The platform will work extensively with the weaver communities across the country with the primary objective of educating communities by means of innovative techniques, building production capacity and giving people the tools to uplift their livelihoods.Instagram: @menkabangladesh

Menka:

A slow fashion label that embodies the self-confidence of a Bangladeshi woman, Sabiha Akond Rupa’s label Menka exists to empower the local handloom artisans and weavers from marginalised communities. Since its inception in 2014, the label has achieved an impressive cult-like popularity among the customers who connect with Rupa’s way of telling stories about each handloom saree she creates. The designer’s aim is to expand the work she does at Menka as a global platform for Bangladeshi handloom fabrics. The platform will work extensively with the weaver communities across the country with the primary objective of educating communities by means of innovative techniques, building production capacity and giving people the tools to uplift their livelihoods.

Instagram: @menkabangladesh

Lidia May:Founded in 2015 in Dhaka, Lidia May is a design-led ethical fashion house known for exceptional leather, luxury workmanship and an attitude of cool elegance. The label originated not in a designer’s studio but at the workman’s bench. Designer May Yang, the label’s co-founder, works with leather and jewellery artisans who have transgenerational expertise to design timeless accessories that are grounded in historic crafts and enriched with a touch of innovation. Defining “luxury with a purpose,” the label was founded as a social enterprise, partnering with the local not-for-profit organisation Lidia Hope Center Trust to provide education, training and work opportunities to families in need. Following the success of their ‘Series III’ collection–wearable bags that convey strength and glamour–Yang and her team are currently working on expanding the brand’s glam-rebel aesthetic to a new line of gender-neutral designs.Instagram: @lidiamaybags

Lidia May:

Founded in 2015 in Dhaka, Lidia May is a design-led ethical fashion house known for exceptional leather, luxury workmanship and an attitude of cool elegance. The label originated not in a designer’s studio but at the workman’s bench. Designer May Yang, the label’s co-founder, works with leather and jewellery artisans who have transgenerational expertise to design timeless accessories that are grounded in historic crafts and enriched with a touch of innovation. Defining “luxury with a purpose,” the label was founded as a social enterprise, partnering with the local not-for-profit organisation Lidia Hope Center Trust to provide education, training and work opportunities to families in need. Following the success of their ‘Series III’ collection–wearable bags that convey strength and glamour–Yang and her team are currently working on expanding the brand’s glam-rebel aesthetic to a new line of gender-neutral designs.

Instagram: @lidiamaybags

MUKTAArchitect-turned-fashion designer Faria Mehmood created MUKTA to celebrate her eternal muse who introduced her to the world of fashion–her mother. Their flagship store in the heart of Dhaka will transport you to a world of old-school glamour that exudes femininity and elegance. “My vision is to make a positive impact in the design culture in our country by discouraging the practice to create with the idea of commercialism only. Instead, I want to focus on the importance of having an individualistic aesthetic and be passionate enough to deliver an emotion and a dream that one can embody,” explains Mehmood, who is currently working on expanding her artistic universe by adding two more segments–MUKTA Beauty and MUKTA Maison.Instagram: @muktaofficial  shohag-c@[[[<br />

MUKTA

Architect-turned-fashion designer Faria Mehmood created MUKTA to celebrate her eternal muse who introduced her to the world of fashion–her mother. Their flagship store in the heart of Dhaka will transport you to a world of old-school glamour that exudes femininity and elegance. “My vision is to make a positive impact in the design culture in our country by discouraging the practice to create with the idea of commercialism only. Instead, I want to focus on the importance of having an individualistic aesthetic and be passionate enough to deliver an emotion and a dream that one can embody,” explains Mehmood, who is currently working on expanding her artistic universe by adding two more segments–MUKTA Beauty and MUKTA Maison.

Instagram: @muktaofficial

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Shape:Monoshita Ayruani started Shape out of the corner in her bedroom when she got frustrated trying to find a bra that fit her body type. Shape is the first innerwear brand that caters to the varied physiques of Bangladeshi women. Rooting for body inclusivity, the label also addresses the social stigma around bras by introducing a neutral skin-like palette, available in more than 11 sizes. “Our aim is to expand on offline spaces to give our clients a better product experience, because every body matters,” says Ayruani.Instagram: @justwearshape

Shape:

Monoshita Ayruani started Shape out of the corner in her bedroom when she got frustrated trying to find a bra that fit her body type. Shape is the first innerwear brand that caters to the varied physiques of Bangladeshi women. Rooting for body inclusivity, the label also addresses the social stigma around bras by introducing a neutral skin-like palette, available in more than 11 sizes. “Our aim is to expand on offline spaces to give our clients a better product experience, because every body matters,” says Ayruani.

Instagram: @justwearshape

Guzel:Emphasising on creating unique ethnic menswear is what motivated Nafiz Imtiaz Chowdhury to start Guzel at the age of 18. “Where I’m from, there are only a handful of designers who invest in their craft and break away from Western influences,” says Chowdhury. “I instinctively look to the rich architecture of my country, which has inspired me ever since I was a child. The iconic Ahsan Manzil, located in the heart of old Dhaka, has become a signature motif that the brand is widely recognised by,” he explains. As a brand, Guzel employs a select team of artisans who are highly skilled in their craft and come from very humble backgrounds. Their hopes, dreams and stories become a part of the craft. Chowdhury believes that when their customers wear Guzel, they wear these artisans' stories and dreams.Instagram: @guzel_bd

Guzel:

Emphasising on creating unique ethnic menswear is what motivated Nafiz Imtiaz Chowdhury to start Guzel at the age of 18. “Where I’m from, there are only a handful of designers who invest in their craft and break away from Western influences,” says Chowdhury. “I instinctively look to the rich architecture of my country, which has inspired me ever since I was a child. The iconic Ahsan Manzil, located in the heart of old Dhaka, has become a signature motif that the brand is widely recognised by,” he explains. As a brand, Guzel employs a select team of artisans who are highly skilled in their craft and come from very humble backgrounds. Their hopes, dreams and stories become a part of the craft. Chowdhury believes that when their customers wear Guzel, they wear these artisans' stories and dreams.

Instagram: @guzel_bd

Dacca: Jobayed Uddin co-founded Dacca while in his sophomore year at college. It was during that time when he noticed that the concept of streetwear was slowly changing the fashion world as a whole. “Streetwear was democratising fashion by making it more accessible, and we felt like we could contribute to it. But more importantly, we wanted to fill the lack of Bengali representation within street fashion,” says Uddin, who is the creative director of the label. The brand also incorporates the legacy of Bangladesh and its surrounding region by taking inspiration from Bengali art, culture and history. For their next collection, scheduled to launch later this year, the brand has teamed up with local artisans to create some unique pieces.Instagram: @from.dacca

Dacca: 

Jobayed Uddin co-founded Dacca while in his sophomore year at college. It was during that time when he noticed that the concept of streetwear was slowly changing the fashion world as a whole. “Streetwear was democratising fashion by making it more accessible, and we felt like we could contribute to it. But more importantly, we wanted to fill the lack of Bengali representation within street fashion,” says Uddin, who is the creative director of the label. The brand also incorporates the legacy of Bangladesh and its surrounding region by taking inspiration from Bengali art, culture and history. For their next collection, scheduled to launch later this year, the brand has teamed up with local artisans to create some unique pieces.

Instagram: @from.dacca

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