The Dhaka Times Desk How Bangladesh has featured in global fashion may be the question. Who has highlighted Bangladesh in global design? That question may also come up. He is none other than Bibi Russell. Where did he come from?
Although the scene has grown significantly in recent years, the fashion industry is still in its infancy. However, many Bengali names are associated with fashion. One of them is Bibi Russell. We know him, but I'm not sure how much we know the extent of his achievements.
I was surprised when I first learned that Bibi Russell, whom we knew as the “towel lady”. Not today, but 20 years ago, when I first saw him during Paris Fashion Week. He has worked for prestigious houses such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld among many others.
Even non-fashion conscious Bengalis have grown up hearing her name and reputation. Whether it's because of his iconic love of towel prints or whatever. How did he make Bibi Russell a household name?
education life
Bibi Russell's school life was spent as a student of Kamrunnessa Government Girls High School. From here he passed secondary school in 1966 and higher secondary school in 1968. Later he completed B.Sc from College of Home Economics. In 1972, as the first Bangladeshi woman, Bibi Russell also got the opportunity to study at the London College of Fashion in the United Kingdom.
His first year in London was a difficult one. He would wake up at 4 in the morning and return home at night after attending classes all day. He also worked various part-time jobs, including delivering letters, to support himself. He even worked on weekends. But Bibi Russell never let her parents know about her suffering. He graduated from London in 1975.
modeling
The day after graduation, her principal informed her that famous model agent Lauren Ashton wanted to take Bibi as a model. At first he didn't even want to come into modeling. However, her professors suggested her to become a model, as it would allow her to gain more knowledge about the fashion world.
Bibi started modeling from 1976. For 16 consecutive years from 1976 to 1992, she was one of the leading models for famous organizations such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan. Also, for many elite brands including Giorgio, Karl, Coco Chanel, BMW, Yves Saint Laurent, Toyota, Kodak, Karl Lagerfeld, Armani. The model was this Bangladeshi girl Bibi Russell. Catwalk with world famous supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer.
Bibi Russell's Dream
Bibi wanted to do something for the local artisans and weavers back in Bangladesh. When he discussed this with his colleagues, they did not care much about it. Instead his agent told him to drop his plans to go to the country and instead think about acting in movies. But he wanted to do something for the country. Bibi Russell left everything and returned to Bangladesh in 1994 when he realized that he was ready to start his own journey in the country. After coming to the country, he focused on introducing the local handicrafts to the world market. Keep trying to bring back the lost tradition of muslin.
Bibi restored the textiles and handicrafts of Bangladesh
Bibi always told her mother that she would work to improve the condition of the local weaving industry. For this purpose, for the next year and a half, Bibi traveled to every region of the country, talked to weavers and artisans, and inquired about them. Not only in the country, he works with weavers from India, Sri Lanka, Latin America, Africa, Denmark and Cambodia. He has immense love and respect for the rural people. He feels that only because of them he has been able to achieve all the success.
BB Productions
BB Russell started his company BB Productions in July 1995 after a year and a half of hard work. He invested all his life savings in BB Productions. She herself started designing dresses, bags, shoes, scarves, veils, ornaments, bangles etc. The materials Bibi Russell uses to make the products are all hand woven and natural.
Bibi says, “I do not use synthetic materials. The fabrics I use are khadi, silk, cotton, towels, jute, plain cloth and jamdani.” Besides, Bibi Russell also designed eyeglass frames based on rickshaw art. Our country's towels have been highlighted by Bibi Russell abroad.
honor
Till now, Bibi Russell has been awarded many domestic and foreign awards, recognitions and honours. In 1997, she was nominated as the best woman of the year by 'El Magazine'. In 2001, UNESCO awarded him the 'Artist of Peace' medal. In 2004, he received the Peace Prize of the United Nations Association of Spain. In 2008, UNAIDS nominated him as Goodwill Ambassador. On 25 February 2010, he was awarded "The Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella".
On the occasion of Women's Day 2013, the UK-based popular fashion blog 'Fashion Compassion' announced a list of 10 women fashion designers in recognition of their role in major changes in fashion. Bibi Russell is the only Asian designer among these 10 women.
In 2015, she was awarded the Begum Rokeya Padak by the Government of Bangladesh for her significant contribution to the establishment of women's social rights, women's awakening and socio-economic development. In addition to the above awards, Bibi Russell has been awarded with many other awards and honors. For the weavers of the country, for the industry, Bibi Russell will always be remembered and cherished in our hearts.
Sources: Rivoli.com, Fashionsbd.com, Daily Star, Telegraph India, Taramonbd.com and HiFiPublic.com.
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