Becoming a fashion designer was nowhere on my list until I was in class 8 when, for the first time, I stitched my dress with a sewing machine and discovered my dormant passion for stitching and designing. As I hail from a science background, my parents have always wanted me to become a doctor or engineer. But subconsciously, I was always drawn to designing dresses.
I couldn’t pursue my passion back then due to a lack of family consent and later because I got married and shifted to Dubai. After marriage, and at my husband’s insistence, I enrolled in a Fashion Designing course at Capital University Dubai, affiliated with London Art College. Because I was from a different background and did not have a knack for art, my illustrations were never satisfactory. My instructor played a vital role to boost my confidence, leaving a remarkable positive impact on my mindset and performance.
I never thought of resuming my studies, followed by a 10-year gap. My husband and instructors deserve the shoutout for paving the way and helping me discover my caliber.
The opportunity to participate in the Be Unique Fashion Carnival Dubai 2024 was a stroke of serendipity for me. Although initially, I was unprepared and skeptical when my instructor conveyed this opportunity and advised me to participate, later on, I made up my mind and started the groundwork for the big day.
The last 1.5 months to prepare six dresses for the event was nothing less than a roller coaster journey for me. Being new to the UAE, I was clueless about all the logistics. At that point, my husband, as a troubleshooter, extended unparalleled support to me, resolving every issue from sourcing to stitching.
The day of the event was full of nervousness yet a sense of accomplishment for me. The moment when, for the first time as a designer, I walked through the ramp with the models showcasing the costumes and experienced my long cherished dreams to be fulfilled—that genuinely felt like a moment more significant than life, and this is inexplicable. In addition, the opportunities to meet industry experts, peers, and media personnel and learn about diverse cultures and their excellent blend with fashion from other participants will certainly add an edge to my future endeavors. As a cherry on top, the Hashtag departmental store at Dubai Mall will be displaying 3 of my showcased dresses for sale.
As a Bangladeshi, my heart treasures unmatched love for our fabrics, such as maslin, taat, and jamdani. I draped my favorite jamdani on the big day in a fusion style to present our heritage on an international platform. In the future, I will prioritize working more to treasure and uplift our cultural legacy.
