UNESCO intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: the story of Bangladeshi Jamdani
Explore the story of designer Bibi Russell from Bangladesh and find out how she came to create her look for The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, 2018.
The Exchange: Bangladesh
For The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018, designer Bibi Russell created a look that was inspired by the culture of Bangladesh. The look was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on February 19, 2018, and later moved to the Australian High Commission, London, where it was open to the public in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, April 2018.
Bangladesh: Designer Bibi Russell
Bibi Russell opened the fashion house Bibi Productions in 1995, fusing indigenous Bengali cultural elements into her line. As of 2004, her company employed 35,000 weavers in rural Bangladesh. Bibi strongly believes that fashion can create sustainable development and a better livelihood for craftspeople. She started the ‘Fashion for Development’ initiative in 1996 at the Unesco headquarters in Paris with the support of then Director General Federico Mayor. She has since dedicated all her time and work to support craftspeople around the world and in her native Bangladesh.
Model wearing a blue sari from Bibi Russell's collection by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
The story behind the look
Bibi Russell has designed a simple formal outfit consisting of a skirt, jacket, and scarf with matching accessories.
Bibi Russell's artisans weaving by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
Jamdani Cloth
The look is made from hand-woven Jamdani cloth, which is unique to Bangladesh, and is considered an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO.
Bibi Russell's fabric by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
Colours of Bangladesh
Red has been used to emphasize happiness and joy, the beauty Bibi sees in the villages of Bangladesh.
Artisan handweaving fabric by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
The Magical Hands of the Jamdani Weavers
Through this outfit Bibi Russel wants to give her tribute to incredible Jamdani weavers for their magical work.
Bibi Russell's artisan embroidering by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
Bibi Russell's collection by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
Bibi Look Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Bibi Jewellery Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Bibi Front Buckingham PalaceCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at Buckingham Palace, 19 February 2018
Bibi Russell's look at Australian High Commission, London by Bibi RussellCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final look on display at the Australian High Commission, London, 22 February 2018
Behind the Scenes of The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange 2018Commonwealth Fashion Council
This content has been specifically curated for the Google Arts & Culture platform on behalf of the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange exhibition that launched on the 19th of February at Buckingham Palace in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM.
The project, created and managed by Eco-Age, with the support of The Commonwealth Fashion Council and The British Fashion Council.
More information about the images is available by clicking on them.
Read more about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at http://eco-age.com/commonwealth-fashion-exchange/
