In what was perhaps a striking example of fashion crashing political limits, Kolkata decided to laud Bangladesh-based veteran designer Bibi Russell as the face of fashion, allowing her the honour of opening the first ever Kolkata Fashion Week
The designer: Bibi Russell
In what was perhaps a striking example of fashion crashing political limits, Kolkata decided to laud Bangladesh-based veteran designer Bibi Russell as the face of fashion, allowing her the honour of opening the first ever Kolkata Fashion Week.
She on her part continued her crusade of breaking class and caste barriers by creating a collection inspired by the Gamcha.
Drenched in the warm glow of ethnicity, natural Khadi, cotton, silk, jute drew energy from happy colours while a medley of Bangladeshi folk songs, Hemanta Mukherjee's classic number Nilam bala chho aana and contemporary remix Pagla hawa from The Bong Connection, played for the audience. Shapes moved from tunics, handkerchief skirts and dresses to peddle-pushers and sarees, while fishermen vests, kurtas and shirts teamed with roomy pyjamas and dhoti pants were reserved for her male customers.
Bibi is known as much for her garments as for the eclectic accessories she plays them out against (funky neckpieces, bangles, earrings inspired by rickshaw art and crafted from terracotta, water hyacinth, palm leaves, jute, wood, silk and cotton yarn).
Bibi, who doesn't really care for starry showstoppers, decided to make a statement with a white Jamdani saree embroidered with the red ribbon motif associated with AIDS awareness. "Why should we remind ourselves of the dangers of AIDS only on December 1, when the matter is urgent enough to discuss every day?" Bibi asked.
