Some of the collections of Bibi Russell
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Sapne Bunte Haath
Those who are
discovering new fashion and keep making renovation in designing new fashions
and vogues are the centre of fashion designing history; and this history gets
excellence while women are adorned. As a part of International Women's
Day Fashion ComPassion has declared top ten world's female fashion designer.
Millions of people across the globe came together to celebrate these women and
their achievements, who are bringing positive change to the catwalks, and to
wardrobes worldwide; Among them the 4th is Bangladesh's very own Bibi Russel.
Bibi was born in Chittagong, Bangladesh to Mokhlessur Rahman and Shamsun Nahar. She grew up in Dhaka studying in Kamrunnessa Govt. Girls' High School. Later she earned a graduate degree in fashion from London College of Fashion in 1975. In the next five years, she worked as a model for different magazines including Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. She also worked as a fashion model in fashion shows until 1994, working with Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani. Having returned to Bangladesh in 1994, Bibi opened Bibi Productions, a fashion house, fusing indigenous Bengali cultural elements into her line. As of 2004, her company employed 35,000 weavers in rural Bangladesh. Fashion shows With assistance from UNESCO, Bibi organized her first European fashion show in Paris in 1996. She also organized fashion show, The Colours of Bangladesh, in Spain in 1997. As a Part of Fashon ComPassion's focus towards sustainable fashion, they recognized Bibi's outstanding contribution for the village artisans working at remote places in Bangladesh. As per Fashion Compassion, Bibi was an incredible model and fashion designer who rose to celebrity in the late 70s and early 80s, now she works to set up a root that is much closer to her heart: the scrape of the hand woven textile industries and their workers in her native Bangladesh. Bibi is currently upholding Bangladeshi fabrics and handicrafts for domestic and international markets under the slogans 'Fashion for Development and Positive Bangladesh'. Her work has been internationally memorable having received among others, The world best women in 1997 by 'L' magazine, the 'Honorary Fellowship' of the London Institute in 1999, title of 'Designer for Development' by the UNESCO in 1999, the title 'Artist for Peace' by the UNESCO in 2001, the Peace Prize 2004 by the United Nations Associations of Spain, Urban Angel Award 2o11 by New York, Theological Seminar and Vision Award 2011 by Vision Sameet, Germany. Hence the new award is another feather in her crown but it has a separate significance as it is more recognizing her current activities that is, 'Fashion designing'. While Bibi was talking to a local magazine called 'Muslin' expressed that she has engaged her everything for the betterment of the local weaving artisans here in Bangladesh. She also told that she feels proud being a designer for them and the success of giving them a better return for their work is the ultimate strength fuels her to face such an adverse situation working in Bangladesh for the remote undeveloped artisans. Awarding her and other leading female designers, the announcer expressed that fashion is personal and it should generate a positive influence for all concerned. Their aim is to craft real positive social change through fashion and empowering women and communities through skill training, opening new markets and investing in social projects. It is to be mentioned that Bibi Russel also has been awarded with ICTA 2012 Design Award handed over to her in 'International Conference on Textile & Apparel' held in Dhaka in November 12. She was rewarded Cross of Officer of the Order of Queen Isabella by the King of Spain. It was presented by Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Arturo Perez Martinez. Bibi is also a Fellow of Bangla Academy. The Asiaweek magazine highlighted her as "One of the 20 people to watch in the Millennium". She was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the London Institute in 1999. UNESCO awarded her the title Designer for Development in 1999. She also got the title of Artist for Peace by the UNESCO in 2001 and the Peace Prize by the United Nations Associations of Spain in 2004. |