Bangladeshi consumer have continued to grow more fashion conscious in recent years, and we have had a steady flow of fashion designers who have been producing iconic, customised and chic outfits that one can't help fall in love with. At a time when the competition in the fashion market was getting even more heated in the 1990s, thanks to the continuing influence and competition from our neighbouring countries, a boutique store named 'Anokhi' was initiated by Humaira Khan. Initially she started to make fashionable clothes for friends and kin but her amazing designs meant she gradually came to be known as a high-end couture fashion designer. She is now recognised for her one of a kind ready-to-wear fashion line. And anokhi has established itself as a force to be reckoned with.
More recently, Khan was given international recognition by Vogue Magazine, who approached her to create a traveling jacket along with other renowned fashion designers from SAARC countries. This was a huge step for Khan, who was honoured and humbled to be able to represent her country on the international stage with her designer clothes.
In an interview with Dhaka Tribune, Humaira Khan said, “In July, I got a call from the fashion features editor of Vogue, Bandana Tewari. The moment I heard her name I was superbly excited and at the same time I was completely unaware of the reason behind her. It took me a while to realise that she wanted me to make a traveling jacket along with other hand picked fashion designers of South Aisan countries. The traveling jacket was mainly going to be a collaboration of SAARC country's renowned designers to represent each nation, its culture and textiles.”
She further stated, “Its not that they were randomly calling fashion designers of SAARC countries - they basically did thorough research on reputed fashion designers, studied those they wanted to pick for their jacket and observed those fashion designers who are popular for their uniqueness and creativity.”
'The jacket was designed for the magazine and the first layout of the jacket was created by Rahul Mishra of India. Then it went to Nepal, from there it went to Pakistan, then it came to me and later to the other SAARC countries,” she added.
When asked about the inspiration that behind her part in creating the jacket, Khan said, “I chose to use Jamdani and a taat frill on one part. I have also added two Bangla words on the jacket, 'manobotai bhalobasha' (Humanity is love). The jacket designing took place during the Holey Artisan attack, and to show my utmost sorrow for the departed souls, I incorporated those two little words to speak of the inhumanity inflicted on the poor souls. It was a very tough time for me to make the traveling jacket, because I had a friend who died in that tragedy. Those two words are a tribute to the memory of my deceased friend.”
She continued, “They sent me the jacket with their team. After the designing and sewing of the jacket was done, the crews of Vogue also arranged a video shoot with a model wearing the traveling jacket in places such as Ahsan Manzil, Lalbag Fort and Panam City, which tell the tales of Bangladesh's heritage.”
“The experience was wonderful. Creating something for Vogue Magazine and getting to work with the most well-known fashion designers was indeed a journey to remember. Designing clothes for Anokhi is my passion but creating something to represent SAARC countries was a dream.”