Bibi Russel's ethnic collection kicks off Kolkata Fashion Week

Kolkata, April 2 (IANS) The inaugural Kolkata Fashion Week opened Thursday with Bangladesh's international model-turned designer Bibi Russell showcasing her 'gamcha' (stole) and natural fibre collection.

The designer displayed 41 of her creations made from khadi, cotton, silk, jute yarn fabrics, tribal fabrics, natural fabrics and 'jamdani'.

'This is the first time I am showing my work in an Indian fashion week...the speciality of my collection is that they are all hand-woven by villagers of Bangladesh and some from West Bengal,' Bibi said after the show.

Even the accessories were made from natural resources like terracota, water hyacinth, palm leaves, wood, silk yarn, jute and cotton yarn.

'For the last 15 years, I have been working with environment friendly resources...I don't use synthetic materials for any of my creations,' Bibi maintained.

Inspired by the people of Bangladesh and their lives, the designer said the credit for her collection should be given to the villagers.

'The villages of Bangladesh are so colourful that my eyes are full with their vibrancy..it's they who inspire my collection. And if you like my creations, give the credit to all the weavers and craftsmen who worked on it.

'When we will be able to catch sustainable national and international market, only then the hard work of the weavers will be valued. It's not about becoming a 'good' fashion designer, but about preserving my country's heritage and providing employment opportunities to the poor that I am committed to,' Bibi contended.