Passion for fashion

Silk saree with block and kantha stitches by Banglar Mela

One of the main focus of Eid shopping is undoubtedly the Eid outfit--the panjabees, the sarees, the shalwar-kameez.

In a few days it would be impossible to miss the signboards, banners, neon signs proclaiming that theirs is THE place to shop: Brand new stock! Premium collections! No mistaking it--Eid is just around the corner.

The designers spends sleepless nights to offer something new and gorgeous for the fashion-frenzied. The work actually starts much earlier. Six months in advance orders must be placed for the materials, designs have to be set, additional printers, and tailors have to be employed and what not.

When I started designing almost 18 years ago on Balaka silk, it was something of a new concept as designer fashion was still a fledgling business. There were a handful of designers only and customers tended to favour the imported sarees. Printing sarees was far from easy. The silk had to be hand washed to get the wax polish off, dried and then printed on. As a finishing touch the sarees had to be sent to the factories for steaming and ironing.

The process was arduous, though worthwhile. But slowly the tide seemed to have changed as more and more designers entered the market.

Over the years the number of designer boutiques have mushroomed. Some are household names, some are starting to make waves.

Now it's a pleasure to see so many of our country's talents hosting exhibitions, opening boutiques, and winning customers to our indigenous designs!

Banglar Mela has once again put a feather in their cap by emphasizing totally on local materials. Emdad Huq ,director of Banglar Mela said that specially woven cotton sarees for the Eid are now for sale at their shop. The zaree border Tangail special quality sarees and the sequined saris are the special attraction for the Eid.

Soft tone Tangail sarees in block print are offered, hand-paint and airbrushed sarees and wood print sarees are something special for the Eid.

Shatabdi is another successful fashion house in the country that has introduced and popularised many old and new trends of clothing. Handloom sarees inscribed with lines of Rabindrasangeet has been the most artistic innovation from the house. In men's attire also Shatabdi has initiated the style of panjabee without the koli--the extra two strips of cloth on the sides. Besides, Shatabdi has kameez made from cotton, silk and georgette with block print, dye, hand paint, embroidery and aplique.