Fashion show in Qatar: A tale of Bangladeshi apparel

For the first time, Bangladesh's fashion designer and art director, Tasmit Afiyat Arny , has showcased the country's cultural heritage on the stage in Qatar through the "Bi Deshi" fashion show.

The fashion show was organized under the banner of her fashion house, Stride Fashion House, of which Tasmin is the CEO and designer.

Recently, in collaboration between the Bangladesh Embassy and the Qatar Foundation, the "Bi Deshi" fashion show was held at the Education City Qatar Foundation's atrium.

The term "Bi Deshi" carries two meanings. In Bengali, it signifies "foreign," whereas in English, it conveys "indigenous." Both interpretations encapsulate the essence of Tasmin's collection because, as of now, no one has been able to truly capture and represent Bangladeshi culture in Qatar. 

The main mantra of this fashion show was to showcase various types of Bangladeshi textiles such as Jamdani, Nakshi Kantha, Rajshahi Silk, Gamcha, and handwoven products to the residents of Qatar, presenting the demand for indigenous products among the Qatar-based community.

Tasmit told Views Bangladesh that, "When we show the foreigners Jamdani, Nakshi Kantha, Silk, Gamcha, and handwoven sarees or kameez, they might not buy them or even pay much attention. So, we devised a way to educate Bangladeshi individuals residing here about our indigenous textiles and, at the same time, make a contribution to the economy.

I kept that in mind.” “Besides, the weather in Qatar is consistently hot. Therefore, our indigenous clothing is quite comfortable for the people here.

However, the outfits need to be tailored according to their preferences in terms of design, size, and style. In the event, 36 different outfits were showcased by the models, primarily focusing on casual and contemporary home attire”, she added. “We began the fashion show in this manner.

Notably, the event saw the participation of prominent figures, including the Bangladeshi ambassador, the US envoy, and the British ambassador, as well as key individuals from Qatar's fashion industry.

The Golf Bangladesh Business Association, Abdul Matin Patwari Social Welfare Foundation, Green Red Studios Event, and Rasar Haari also contributed to the organization of this fashion show,” said Tasmit. The event received widespread praise from all quarters, and the guests have compared it favorably to Milan Fashion Week.

The presence of such an international-standard show in Qatar has been deemed fortunate by those in attendance. Tasmit's clothing designs featured eye-catching elements, including skirts with rickshaw-paint-inspired patterns, outfits reminiscent of various traditional celebrations and events created from Jamdani, apparel bearing the image of Language Martyrs, and clothing with illustrations inspired by the Liberation War.

These designs incorporated rickshaw paint prints, Rajshahi silk, and Nakshi Kantha dresses. Previously as well, Tasmit had showcased the country's culture on the global stage. For instance, she designed the "Rickshaw Hood" for Miss Universe Bangladesh, participated in Miss Grand International, Miss Tourism World, Miss Landscape International, Miss Charm International, and Miss World Bangladesh, and even incorporated traditional Bangladeshi attire into her own wedding.

Her efforts have consistently aimed to give back to the country and elevate Bangladeshi culture on the world stage. Tasmit Afiyat Arny obtained her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the Graphic Design Department of Dhaka University.

With 12 years of experience, she has worked as a successful fashion designer and artistic director in a renowned advertising agency.

The "Bi Deshi" fashion show in Qatar, organized under the banner of Stride Fashion House, marks her debut fashion show in the country.