Celebrating the Bengali New Year 1432 with elegance and cultural heritage, the three-day exhibition 'Crafting The Many Threads of Cultural Textiles' by celebrated designer Maheen Khan was inaugurated on Friday at EDGE Gallery in the capital's Gulshan. 

The event presented by United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) and powered by Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTB) is showcasing approximately one hundred collections of the country's eminent fashion designer Maheen Khan.

Curated by prominent fashion designer Saibal Saha, the exhibition is a blend of heritage and innovation, showcasing handcrafted sarees, Nakshi Kantha, Islamic motifs, Rajshahi silk, and contemporary embroidery work. 

This vibrant showcase of Maheen Khan's versatile works demonstrates how traditional techniques can evolve into a modern art form.

The opening ceremony was held in two sessions in morning and evening. 

Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhtar inaugurated the exhibition in the morning and spoke about the deep connection between nature and craft .

Emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional motifs she encouraged artisans to continue drawing inspiration from their environment.

"I encourage you to delve deeper into traditional local motifs like different types of fish, as they reflect our cultural identity. Celebrating Baishakh through crafts, rather than limiting it to rallies, offers a richer and more lasting way to preserve and honor our heritage," Adviser Farida Akhtar said.

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The French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, praised the dynamic fashion industry of Bangladesh and encouraged future collaborations between Bangladeshi and French fashion institutions to rebrand the country’s image beyond readymade garments.

The evening segment showcased a fabulous fashion show of Maheen Khan’s unique showcasing from the exhibition. 

Beginning with an enamoring presentation of traditional Bengali musical instruments such as esraj, sarod, and tabla - the segment was followed by remarks from MTB Deputy Managing Director Md Shafquat Hossain, UCB Chief Communication Officer Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq and UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir. 

Dignitaries, city elites and fashion enthusiasts from different sectors of the society including Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, Co-founder of the Brihatta Art Foundation Nusrat Mahmud, esteemed members of Zonta Club and many others were present at the evening session. 

Chief guest of the evening Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, highlighted Maheen Khan’s unique and consistent design philosophy and her role in nurturing leadership among rural women through fashion.

"In our reality, woman leadership, that again in a persistent way, is something very difficult to attain and pull - and Maheen Khan has actually done that. It is not that only she has become a woman leader by becoming the owner of a fashion brand, but she has helped develop leadership among women in the rural areas, something which I really appreciate."

Further lauding Maheen Khan, she added, “I don't know how much she knows, but people actually look up to Maheen Khan as a fashion icon. And after all these years, every time Bangladesh talks about the leading fashion icons, her name comes up in number one, two or three; and that is something we really need to celebrate together."

Maheen Khan, a pioneer in the Bangladeshi fashion industry for over four decades, shared that her design journey began in 1986 through collaboration with rural craft communities.

Explaining how her textile art has developed into a unique visual language, Maheen Khan said, "This exhibition works only with local handwoven silks, which used mulberry yarns locally produced on the wefts. The plain weaves are very fine hand woven on looms much in the same way it was done for hundreds of years. This is produced in Chapainawabganj in Rajshahi by a cluster of weavers who live on the banks of Mohananda river; and we are supporting their livelihoods with this humble initiative and we hope more can be achieved in the future for it to flourish."

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For this presentation, the embroidery is done using a simple running stitch, which involves sewing lines across the fabric. , she said.

“My designs used complex patterns intertwined with geometric motifs that are local narratives of Bangladesh. While traditionally used for quilts this embroidery is an art form characterized by its simplicity and elegance that exemplifies our finest needle work on six yards known as Sari," according to Maheen Khan.

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Local textiles carry a rich history and substantial cultural value, Maheen Khan said, adding: "They are handmade, using techniques passed down through generations by skilled artisans. These textiles are not merely aesthetically pleasing, but also hold emotional and symbolic significance in our hearts."

Maheen Khan extended her gratitude to the sponsors and reflected on her mission to promote textile craftsmanship as both an art and a livelihood.

The exhibition will continue till April 20 from 10 am to 9 pm, with a closing fashion show at 6 pm on the final day