United News of Bangladesh

Indigenous fashion designers from across North America are showcasing clothing inspired by their cultural roots and daily lives during a three-day fashion event that began Friday in Santa Fe, a key center for Native art and creativity. The event, which is part of the historic Santa Fe Indian Market, has joined forces with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week this year, highlighting unity and creative expression among Indigenous artists. An additional independent show in the city’s railyard district has nearly doubled the activity behind the scenes, with models, makeup artists, and final preparations in full swing. Runway shows will feature a mix of professional and family models, Indigenous dancers, and public figures, all presenting designs accompanied by music. The garments range from flowing silks to traditional animal hides, embellished with beadwork, ribbons, and jewelry. Contemporary styles include digitally crafted designs and urban streetwear with Native influences, especially from Phoenix. Patricia Michaels, a Taos Pueblo designer and former "Project Runway" contestant, said Indigenous fashion is a way to express both personal identity and community ties. “Designers are sharing what drives them — their heritage and lived experience,” she said. A Santa Fe Tradition Evolves The spring fashion week is a newer addition to Santa Fe’s art calendar, evolving from the high-fashion elements of the city’s long-standing summer Indian Market, which attracts massive crowds for its display of Native artwork. Designer Sage Mountainflower, who grew up attending the Indian Market with her artist parents in the 1980s, left a career in environmental policy to pursue fashion. She began by creating regalia for her children and eventually gained international acclaim. Now 50, she is unveiling her “Taandi” collection — meaning “Spring” in the Tewa language — featuring satin and chiffon garments with embroidered designs rooted in her heritage from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, and the Navajo Nation. “I follow trends a little, but mostly I go with what I love,” Mountainflower said. “This collection is about how spring transforms around us — it’ll be vibrant and full of color.” Over 20 designers are participating by invitation from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Fashion is an essential part of Santa Fe’s broader creative culture, supported by local vendors, academic programs at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and daily arts markets in the city center. Fashion designers this week have been honored at events including a gala at the governor’s mansion, social gatherings in galleries and bookstores, and pop-up shops selling runway pieces. Cross-Border Collaboration The partnership with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week brings Canadian First Nations designers into the spotlight. Secwépemc artist Randi Nelson traveled from Whitehorse, Yukon, to present clothing made from elk and caribou hides, using traditional tanning methods passed down through her family. “There’s no one-size-fits-all Indigenous fashion,” said Nelson, a member of the Bonaparte/St’uxwtéws First Nation. “Each designer draws from their own nation’s teachings and reinterprets them in a contemporary way.” Urban Indigenous Style Phoenix-based designer and jeweler Jeremy Donavan Arviso is adding a bold, streetwear perspective to the shows, aiming to push Santa Fe’s fashion scene onto the global stage. A panel discussion on Thursday addressed rising tariffs and supply costs, along with the tension between fast fashion and Indigenous values of sustainability. Arviso, who has Diné, Hopi, Akimel O’odham, and Tohono O’odham roots, said his fashion reflects his upbringing in Phoenix more than traditional ceremonial influences. “I didn’t grow up with those customs — I grew up on the streets,” he said, comparing his style to musical sampling in early hip-hop. He’s debuting his “Vision Quest” collection, introduced by Toronto-based ballet dancer Madison Noon in a dramatic performance. Prominent figures walking the runway include former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo, dressed in designs by Patricia Michaels and jewelry by Zuni Pueblo artist Veronica Poblano.

The Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association has elected a new executive body following a long-delayed election held on Friday. The results were officially announced on Friday night at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) by the Election Commission Chairman, Abdul Latif Bachchu. Shahin Sumon has been elected as the new President of the association for the upcoming term, defeating Mushfiqur Rahman with 166 votes. In the race for General Secretary, Shahin Kabir Tutul secured victory with 180 votes, surpassing his contender Safi Uddin. The newly elected Vice President is Abul Khair Bulbul, while Kabirul Islam Rana has been elected as Joint Secretary and Simon Tariq was chosen as Treasurer.  Wazed Ali Babul will serve as Secretary of Publicity and Office Affairs, Bondhon Bishwas as Secretary of International and Information Technology Affairs, and Mostafizur Rahman Manik has been elected as Secretary of Culture and Sports. The Executive Member posts have been filled by Chotku Ahmed, Shahadat Hossain Liton, Polli Malek, Zakir Hossain Raju, Bazlur Rashed Chowdhury, Saeedur Rahman Saeed, Habibur Rahman Habib, and Joynal Abedin (Joy Sarkar). Originally scheduled to take place in late 2024, the election faced multiple postponements due to unavoidable circumstances.  A revised date was set for January 10, but voting was again suspended on that day. The election was further pushed and once again postponed on May 8. However, after overcoming all hurdles, the long-anticipated election was finally held on Friday, featuring participation from two panels.

Indian film stars are known for their opulent lifestyles, often flaunting private jets, luxury cars, and sprawling bungalows. Yet, one Bollywood actress stands out with an exceptionally rare asset — a private island. Jacqueline Fernandez, a Sri Lankan actress who has been part of the Indian entertainment industry for over two decades, is the only Bollywood actress reported to own a private island. Located off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the four-acre island was purchased by Jacqueline in 2012 for approximately $600,000, which was around Rs 3 crore at the time, reports Hindustan Times. Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ kicks off with $31.5m opening day While many of her peers invest in luxury homes or international properties, Jacqueline’s decision to acquire an island sets her apart. Reports at the time of purchase suggested she intended to build a lavish villa on the property. However, it remains unclear whether the project was meant for her personal retreat or for commercial use, such as leasing it for tourism purposes. Although details about the island’s development remain undisclosed, Jacqueline is still believed to be the owner.

Benedict Cumberbatch will serve as executive producer for a new six-part limited series “The Annecy Murders”, based on the real-life Chevaline killings that shocked the world in 2012.The drama, inspired by true events, centres on the still-unsolved murders of a British-Iraqi engineer, his wife, her mother, and a French cyclist, who were all gunned down on September 5, 2012 near Lake Annecy in the French Alps. Two young girls, aged four and seven, miraculously survived the attack but were not discovered by first responders for hours. The case triggered a sprawling, multinational investigation involving authorities in France, the UK, Spain, Israel, Switzerland, and Iraq. Hundreds of officers were deployed and nearly a thousand witnesses interviewed. The mystery regained public and media attention last summer when French investigators officially reopened the case. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is being produced by Carrousel — the company founded by Louis Leterrier, Omar Sy, and Thomas Benski — in collaboration with Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch and Bob Cooper’s Landscape. Sweet Home Poised to Be the Next The Walking Dead: Netflix’s Apocalyptic K-Drama Dominates Streaming Charts “When we first came across this story, we immediately saw its incredible potential,” said Cooper. “It’s a haunting case that has everything — a compelling mystery, international intrigue, and profound human drama. It demanded to be told.” Cécile Gaget, executive producer at Carrousel Studios, added, “This was a no-brainer for Carrousel. With the recent reopening of the case, the international resonance, and the unique cultural perspectives on the investigation, we are committed to delivering a powerful and authentic narrative.” Filming is set to begin across France and the UK in early 2026. However, casting details remain undisclosed.

Disney will build its seventh theme park, this one in the United Arab Emirates, the entertainment company said Wednesday. The waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi city, already home to Formula One’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari and Warner Bros. amusement parks, SeaWorld and a waterpark, AP reports. Disney and Miral, the Abu Dhabi developer overseeing the project, hope to capitalize on the 120 million airline passengers that travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. While long viewed as more buttoned up than the beaches and raucous nightlife in neighboring Dubai, Abu Dhabi also is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and there are more museums currently under construction. Disney Bets Big on Live-Action Remakes of Lilo & Stitch and Moana The theme park announcement is being made ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump to the region next week. Trump has promised a series of business deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. The theme park will be built and operated by Miral, but Disney will handle the design and development. Disney will also license its intellectual property and provide development and management services, according to a regulatory filing. The California company will not be providing any capital for the project. It will earn royalties based on the resort’s revenues. It will also earn service fees. Miral has been involved in the development of almost all of the entertainment complexes built on the island. A projected opening date has not been announced. Shares of Disney, which also reported second-quarter financial results on Wednesday that beat Wall Street's expectations, jumped more than 9% in morning trading.

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Kumar Bishwajit is set to return to live performances, after taking a step back from music following the 2023 road accident that seriously injured his only son Nibir in Canada. Since the incident, Bishwajit and his wife have been living in Canada, where Nibir received treatment. However, with signs of gradual recovery in his son’s condition, the legendary singer has decided to return to live performances. Speaking to the media, Bishwajit confirmed that his concert tour will begin next month, starting with Toronto, Canada. He will then perform in cities across Paris, New Zealand, Qatar, and several states of Australia. Nibir was initially treated at St Michael's Hospital after the accident and has been undergoing rehabilitation at a center in Mississauga for the past year. During this period, Bishwajit visited Dhaka briefly a few times, but he currently has no plans to return unless absolutely necessary. "Even though event organizers kept inviting me, I didn’t feel the emotional drive to sing," Bishwajit said. "Music is something that comes from the heart, and I felt that the emotion was missing during this difficult time." However, he also realized how deeply connected his audience is to his life, stating: "After sharing my musical journey with them for over four decades, I felt I should return for them, as they are my extended family." Rotary Club of Uttara awards Kumar Bishwajit, 21 others for their excellence With Nibir’s condition slowly improving, Bishwajit decided to accept a few international concert invitations, mentioning that organizers had been reaching out for some time, and he agreed after carefully considering the situation. “I’m set to resume live shows this year, starting with a concert in Toronto on June 22. A show in Paris is scheduled for July, and talks are underway for an event in New Zealand. Several concerts in Australia for August are confirmed — on August 23 in Melbourne, August 30 in Sydney, August 31 in Brisbane, and September 6 in Perth; and my regular band members will be accompanying me in all concerts,” the revered artist said. Along with the concert announcement, Bishwajit also shared updates on Nibir's condition, saying, “Recovery is very slow, so we can’t call it major progress yet.” Nibir is currently receiving speech therapy, physiotherapy, and other forms of stimulation therapy in rehab, Kumar Bishwajit informed. Expressing satisfaction with the rehab center’s care in Mississauga, Kumar Bishwajit said that such specialised medical facilities are rare even in Canada. He added that there have been success stories of patients fully recovering after years of rehab, and they are waiting for Nibir's recovery. Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid’s concert abruptly postponed, artists left in the dark Grateful for the support and prayers from fans, Bishwajit thanked everyone who stood by him and his family. With hope in his heart, the revered artist is now looking forward to reconnecting with his audience through music.

Pinstripes. All Ways. Hats galore. Pantsuits. Gown suits. Zoot suits. Canes. A single cigar (looking at you Madonna) — and expert displays of tailoring. The Met Gala crowd, for the most part, did the Black dandy menswear theme proud at fashion's biggest party of the year. “Those that researched the moment and pulled inspiration from history made it modern and their own. I loved it,” said Holly Alford, assistant dean and an associate professor in the fashion and merchandising program at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. Among her favorites: Colman Domingo's homage to dandy icon André Leon Talley. It was one of many that honored the towering fashion figure, a rare Black fashion editor in a largely white industry. And among others in odes to Talley, who died in 2022, were Anne Hathaway in a Carolina Herrera dress she picked specifically for him. “We wanted André Leon Talley to look down from heaven and scream ‘GLAMOUR,’” Hathaway said on the Vogue livestream Monday night. Inventive glamour energy of the night A glamorous night it was, and an inventive one at that amid a broad White House siege on DEI programs and protections that serve immigrants, LGBTQ+ people and myriad others. What does that have to do with fashion and the theme this year? Everything, in terms of Black power, ownership, heritage and, most importantly, freedom. What, exactly, was the suggested dress code? It was “Tailored for You,” inspired by Black dandyism through time, the subject of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring show at its Costume Institute. On the blue carpet, a bit soggy from drenching rain, guests played with the fundamentals of fashion to make their looks their own with the help of designers and stylists. And many honored their heritages in special touches like the cowrie shells on the cuffs of Lewis Hamilton's Wales Bonner jacket. The shells pay homage to Black diasporic culture, to spirituality, to memory, said Rikki Byrd, assistant professor of visual culture studies at the University of Texas at Austin and founder of the Black Fashion Archive. Met Gala 2025: Shah Rukh Khan’s spectacular debut steals the show Tessa Thompson honored Talley with a fan adorned with his image. “It’s representative of a church fan and André Leon Talley often talked about his first introduction to fashion was through his church,” Byrd said. Teyana Taylor was a standout for Shantrelle P. Lewis, author of “Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style.” With her cane, in her red velvet cape, “she understood the assignment,” Lewis said. Taylor's cape was emblazoned with her nickname in honor of her home turf: “Harlem Rose.” And she, like Swizz Beatz, donned a durag. Some underwhelmed by how guests did Lewis, who has been seminal in understanding dandyism, said the attire on the carpet was generally underwhelming. “The lack of color, the lack of African print, even the absence of African designers. I said, ‘Where is the Black dandyism?’” she said. “No sartorial risks were taken.” Big risks? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Brandon Tan, fashion director for Cosmopolitan, was satisfied. “A classic silhouette can be completely reimagined by something as simple as the color and fabrication of the textile, as seen on Henry Golding,” he said. “Inversely, a very classic gray wool can be totally remixed by the cut and silhouette like Walton Goggins’ kilt look by Thom Browne.” Who missed the boat altogether? A few simply showed up in comparatively routine black tuxedos (hello James Corden) and questionable spins on the theme (Sorry, Halle Berry, but that was a lot of skin in the crotch area). Coattails of varying lengths were a huge trend amid the sea of hats and head pieces anticipated ahead of the gala that brought together A-listers from the worlds of sports, entertainment, music, art, literature, politics and more to raise money for the Costume Institute. Black and white looks carried the night, with enough pops of color to keep it interesting. Colman Domingo and his many fans Kevin Huynh, InStyle's fashion director, also praised Domingo, who wore a huge Talley-esque collared blue cape first, then ditched the cape to reveal a pearled window-pane jacket he wore with dot accessories. “As the undisputed king of the red carpet, his regal look was beyond appropriate for the night’s theme,” Huynh said. “He fully embodied the spirit of dandyism in not one but two statement-making looks from Valentino, and he aced it in terms of being unapologetically bold and flawlessly fanciful.” That “fearlessness and individuality,” he said, is what the night was all about. “After a marathon awards season run, his Met Gala red carpet reveal was well worth the wait. From the moment he stepped out of The Carlyle draped in a jewel-toned Valentino cape, it was clear that more was coming,” said Claire Stern Milch, Elle’s digital director. “And when he finally arrived on the steps, his custom three-piece zoot suit, also designed by Alessandro Michele, was a playful and sophisticated nod to the theme,” she added. Milch called Domingo’s oversized polka dot flower on one lapel undoubtedly the highlight. The look, she said, was the “perfect marriage of classic tailoring and avant-garde flair.” Nikki Ogunnaike, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, noted that suiting of all kinds wasn't a huge surprise, considering the style guidance from Vogue's Anna Wintour, who puts the gala together each year. “My favorites included Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo, Tracee Ellis Ross in Marc Jacobs, Zendaya and Lisa in Louis Vuitton, Colman Domingo in Valentino and Mindy Kaling in Harbison, all of whom interpreted dandyism and suiting in their own unique way,” she said. Athletes turned out at 2025 Met Gala Athletes, meanwhile, also took the spotlight. Tailoring for them is a special craft that Tom Marchitelli, custom menswear designer and stylist, takes into consideration with all the suits he creates for NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball players. “These guys have these superhero builds, as I like to say, and they can’t walk into any store on Fifth Ave, in Rodeo, anywhere and just pick out a suit off the rack to fit them,” he said. Marchitelli said he appreciated the clean form-fitting looks on Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Rihanna is expecting baby No. 3 with A$AP Rocky, the rapper confirms at the 2025 Met Gala “To have this many athletes showcased, I think that says a lot about how important sport is to culture, pop culture in America, how influential the athletes are,” he said. Black designers represented The night's vibe was inspired by the exhibit called “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” It's the first Costume Institute show to focus exclusively on Black designers, and the first in more than 20 years devoted to menswear. Big-time Black designers and smaller brands of creatives of color were represented on the carpet. They included Sergio Hudson, LaQuan Smith and Ozwald Boateng, a former wunderkind of Savile Row. Others who were not so much So who are some others who blew it, or didn't even try to spin the theme? Blackpink's Lisa might have walked the line in her look by Vuitton, a gala sponsor. She went pantless with little faces on black undies to go with her matching jacket and LV logo sheer stockings. Some on social media thought the faces were Rosa Parks. They weren't, a representative told The Cut, explaining they were “portraits of figures who have been a part of the artist’s life.” OK. So it goes. Undie portraits might not be a good idea in general. As for Corden, The Cut posted a video of him in his mere mortal look and viewers threw some barbs, including one who called him “James Boredon” giving “a total snooze fest per usual.” Ouch, James.

The highly anticipated debut of Shah Rukh Khan at the Met Gala finally happened—and it did not disappoint. Marking his first appearance at fashion’s biggest night, Shah Rukh Khan made a commanding entrance at the 2025 Met Gala, which carried the theme "Tailored for You", reflecting a spotlight on menswear and suiting. Dressed head-to-toe in black, the Bollywood icon wore a dramatic, floor-length trench coat over an open shirt, all designed by Indian fashion maestro Sabyasachi Mukherjee. He elevated the look with bold, statement accessories, including chunky necklaces, diamond-studded pendants featuring the initials "K" and "SRK," numerous lavish rings, and a striking walking stick crowned with a tiger head—adding an extra dose of flair to his already charismatic appearance. Before his debut, his longtime manager Pooja Dadlani offered fans a sneak peek on Instagram, sharing photos of the star in his full ensemble. On the blue carpet, Shah Rukh delighted fans by striking his iconic pose, smiling, and waving—capturing the essence of his global stardom. This year’s Met Gala, themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," draws from Monica L. Miller’s influential book Slaves to Fashion, exploring Black dandyism and style across history, from the 18th century to modern times. Notably, it's the first Met Gala in over 20 years to focus solely on menswear. Rihanna is expecting baby No. 3 with A$AP Rocky, the rapper confirms at the 2025 Met Gala Committee member Usher highlighted the importance of this year's theme, calling it a celebration of rich cultural heritage that deserves wider recognition. The event was co-chaired by a star-studded lineup including Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Anna Wintour, with LeBron James as honorary co-chair. Source: NDTV

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky turned heads once again at this year’s landmark Met Gala, making headlines with a major personal announcement — they’re expecting their third child. The revelation came directly from A$AP Rocky, who shared the news with reporters after being congratulated on the red carpet Monday night. Serving as a co-chair for the event, the rapper expressed his excitement: “It feels amazing,” he said. “It’s time we show the world what we’ve been working on. We’re definitely happy, and it’s great to see everyone else is too.” Earlier in the day, TMZ broke the story, citing sources close to the couple. Though Rihanna’s team has yet to officially comment — a representative did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press — the news seemed all but confirmed when the singer was photographed in New York on Monday, visibly showing what looked like a baby bump. Later in the night, Rihanna appeared on the Met Gala carpet in a pinstripe look and a huge hat, her newly announced baby bump on display. “Honestly, it’s a blessing nonetheless,” Rocky told the AP. “Because you know how like some people in other situations at times can be envious of other people. But we’ve been seeing love for the most part. And we real receptive to that and appreciate that, you know what I mean? That’s love. Love is love.” The couple announced their last pregnancy in a similarly starry way: At the 2023 Super Bowl, Rihanna emerged on stage for her halftime performance with baby bump on full display. Their son Riot Rose was born later that year. The couple’s first child, RZA, was born in May 2022. Rocky is one of the 2025 Met Gala co-chairs of the menswear-theme event tied to the museum’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. ” But his attendance at this year’s Met Gala wasn’t always a sure bet. That announcement came a couple months before the opening of his trial on firearms charges in Los Angeles. Rocky was ultimately found not guilty in mid-February. Nuhash Humayun’s ‘Dui Shaw!’ premieres at SXSW, continues global journey   At his trial, he showed his eye for fashion. He sported tailored suits and luxury labels throughout the proceedings. Yves Saint Laurent even put out press releases directing attention to his high-fashion court attire. He was clad in a pinstripe Saint Laurent suit for the verdict. He’s collaborated with several designers and brands on shoes, sunglasses and clothing collections. In December, he was honored with the Cultural Innovator Award at the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Awards.    

Acclaimed filmmaker Nuhash Humayun’s popular web series ‘Dui Shaw!’ has recently premiered at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, marking yet another milestone for Bangladeshi content on the international stage. Sharing his thoughts on his social platforms on Monday, following the premiere, Nuhash, son of the legendary Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed, described the experience as humbling. The series continues to receive appreciation not only in Bangladesh but also the wider South Asian diaspora and global audiences. Produced by Chorki, the anthology series is part of the wider ‘Shaw’ - denoting one of the three variants of the 's' sound in the Bengali alphabet - horror universe, was filmed under challenging circumstances, including rainstorms, floods, a cyclone, a Russell’s Viper scare, and even the July Uprising, Nuhash reminisced. “This wouldn’t be possible without our brilliant cast, the best crew in the world, and Chorki’s endless trust in our weird little anthology,” said Nuhash in a Facebook post following the SXSW premiere.