Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh (FDCB) is holding the first edition of the Bangladesh Couture Week 2021, which was inaugurated Thursday at the Edge Gallery in Gulshan.

Entirely dedicated to the revered Bangladeshi silk industry, this exclusive fashion festival is paying homage to the hardworking artisans of the country and their craftsmanship, the organizers said at the inauguration ceremony.

The grand inaugural ceremony of FDCB’s maiden Couture Week was joined by Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni as the chief guest, who lauded this exclusive event for preserving and presenting the tradition of Bangladesh.

“Our country is known to the entire world for its amazing and high-quality handloom fabrics such as our Muslin and Jamdani, and our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is the greatest brand ambassador of our beautiful, traditional clothes. The government is playing its part to preserve all of our traditional crafts, and I really appreciate FDCB’s praiseworthy attempt on that approach as an inclusive and inspiring entity,” Dr Moni said.

Talking to UNB regarding this exclusive venture, renowned fashion designer and FDCB Founder President Maheen Khan emphasized the importance of upholding the pride of Bangladeshi clothes through events like this.

“We have previously organized fashion shows on various items of hand-spun clothes including Khadi, Jamdani and more. This is the first time we are arranging Couture Week, which represents an excellent variant of custom-made, hand-spun silk made by highly skilled weavers from our Chapainawabganj.”

Hosted by FDCB Vice President Emdad Hoque, the inaugural ceremony was also joined by the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh ITO Naoki as the special guest of the ceremony, among many other eminent dignitaries including actress Shampa Reza and more.

As a tribute to the silk industry, an exclusive book was launched at the event and a documentary based on the state of silk production in the country and the current livelihoods of the weavers was also screened, followed by an exclusive flash fashion show.

Bangladesh Couture Week is essentially promoting high-end fashion wear, showcasing 17 top designers of the country. The famed designers taking part in the event are Chandana Dewan, Sarah Karim, Faiza Ahmed, Maheen Khan, Farah Anjum Bari, Shaibal Saha, Farzana Nova, Tasfia Ahmed, Sadia Rashid Chowdhury, Rifat Rahman, Rupo Shams, Rima Naaz, Afsana Ferdousi, Sharukh Amin, Lipi Khandker, Nawshin Khair and Emdad Hoque.

On Dec 3 and 4, there will be panel discussions on relevant subject matters followed by a flash fashion show each day. A special Fashion Award Ceremony on Dec 4 will be held, marking the conclusion of the event.

FDCB, a nonprofit organization hopes to steer the Bangladeshi silk community and its patrons through this 3-day long fashion exhibition and event, further hoping to promote artisanal work and advocate home-grown textiles and designs to the mass audience with their efforts and endeavours.