Arka Fashion Week returns this December with a powerful vision-to democratize fashion in Bangladesh and transform our cultural heritage into a global asset. Held from December 5–7 at Aloki, this year’s edition brings together fashion, craft, music, food, and youth culture under one shared story: Jamdani.
Founder Asad Sattar explains that the entire event is built around six thoughtfully curated zones-fashion show, masterclasses, food zone, marketplace, and more-all aligned under a Jamdani motif. “We have six zones this week, and every one of them is telling a story through Jamdani,” he shared. “We are thoughtful about bringing our heritage Jamdani into this year’s theme. We are doing it in a smaller capacity this year, but next year we want to involve it even more-our local heritage, crafts, and motifs.”
This year’s theme is woven through every touchpoint. The branding, the visual identity, the student runway’s upcycled Jamdani collection, and even the artwork across the venue celebrate the richness of this timeless craft.
A Platform for Bangladesh’s Artisans
One of the most anticipated segments of Arka Fashion Week Winter ’25 is its collaboration with Aarong. Six master artisans will showcase live demonstrations of traditional techniques including weaving, hand-stitching, block printing, karchupi, nakshi katha, pottery, and more.
Asad added: “We brought artisans from their communities so people can witness their work, physically see how they create, and hopefully this will spark curiosity and build a stronger consumer base. Many artisans tell me they get orders only for three months a year. We want to change that.”
By positioning these crafts at the heart of the event, Arka aims not only to celebrate heritage but also to support the sustainability of Bangladesh’s artisan economy.
A Three-Day Celebration of Modernity, Heritage & Sustainability
Every day of the fashion week carries a unique theme:
- Day 1: Modern
Bold experiments in contemporary design with brands like Poushee, Kathal, Daania, RANOW and more.
- Day 2: Heritage
A tribute to craft traditions featuring Venori, Kayvo, Taan, Gentleman’s Wardrobe, Inteblu, and the Student Runway.
- Day 3: Sustainability
A showcase of conscious fashion from Aranya, Canvas, Zuhrah, Shotta, and others shaping an eco-responsible future.
Marketplace, Music & Masterclasses
The outdoor Marketplace brings together names like Ami Dhaka, Kathal, Inteblu, Living Blue, Denim Shenim, and emerging labels. Built with 100% reusable, organic, and sustainable materials, the stalls reflect Arka’s commitment to responsible design.
Nine Masterclasses will run across all three days-ranging from bag making and metal jewelry welding to origami-inspired textile transformation, zero-waste design, photography, and music production.
Every evening, the festival comes alive with concerts featuring artists such as Muza, Shibu, Ohyana, Kadin, Modernotaku, and more making Arka Fashion Week a complete cultural experience.
Arka Fashion Week Winter ’25 stands as one of the most dynamic events of the year: a place where fashion, heritage, and community intersect; where artisans and designers share the same stage; and where Bangladesh’s identity is both preserved and reimagined for the world.
