Bibi Russell, the eminent fashion designer, who brought gamcha, grameen check, rickshaw art, crafts, and handloom of Bangladesh in the global front, has been working to ‘save the craftspeople and help revive their dream’ for decades.
The fashionista, on the occasion of her 71st birthday,spared her precious time and talked abouther dream and the sustainability and development of Bangladesh’s treasured crafts and craftspeople in conversation with Bangladesh Post.
Referring to her work as her long-cherished dream she said that she wants to display the charismatic power of the hands of craftspeople and artisans through her self-funded social business.
“It takes two hands to clap; one is mine another is theirs”, she added.
When asked about her decision to return to Bangladesh in 1994, leaving behind a successful career in modeling, she said “I believe that dreaming is very important for a person to grow. My childhood dream has grown with me.”
She said that whatever she observed in her childhood has made her what she is today.
“Whatever I’m doing today is my long-cherished dreamthat I have nurtured throughout the years. All my thoughts have always been centred on Bangladesh,” she added.
She went on to describe how she used to notice the beautiful gamcha, lungi and saree worn by the local fruits and vegetable sellers. She used to ask them who made this and they would reply that it was their neighbour, the weavers.
“They are the ones who showed me the dreams. I have just tried to simplify and modernize the culture and heritage through my work that I have seen while growing up”, she said.
Regarding running the operations of ‘Bibi Productions’ during the pandemic she explained how she has managed to sustain her organisation during this difficult period.
She mentioned that all her workers have received salary during this period of crisis.
She produced and exported backpacks, fancy bags, purses, masks and other accessories with gamcha amid the pandemic.
To the young generation who want to uphold and save the crafts and handloom of our country, she said “It is a long process that I’ll be leaving for the young generation. They can indulge themselves in this work with new ideas.”
She further said that every designer should possess a signature or handwriting of his or her own when it comes to their work.
In response to a question about the future plan of her organisation, she said “Bibi Productions is an organization that deals with everything involved with crafts and handloom including recycling and up cycling so that they don’t get lost. I’m only the founder, the organization belongs to the country.”
Regarding the celebration of her birthday she said that she spends her birthday like any other regular day of her life. Seeking prayers from everyone, the prominent designer said, “On this day I wish that I can fulfill the dreams of those who have helped me achieve my dream.”