Photographs: Avishek Mitra Sreya Basu/India Blooms News Service
A weaver at heart, designer Bibi Russell showcased her Magical Threads at the ongoing second season of Kolkata Fashion Week II. Here is her description of the collection.
What is it like showcasing your collection for the second time in Kolkata?
I will answer that. But first tell me, did you like my collection?
Yes...it was fantastic.
The collection at KFW I was better or this one?
'Only creativity can uplift poverty with dignity'
Both collections are so different from each other that it's difficult to compare.
Okay. Now I am ready to take your questions (smiles). As an answer to your first question, I am thrilled to be back here in Kolkata. I received such mass response the last time that I can't stop myself from coming here again.
What is Magical Threads all about?
Know what, two threads when twined with each other, can create real magic in the hands of a weaver. And this magic is needed to combat hard times. Only creativity can uplift poverty with dignity. And this collection is a tribute to all weavers of West Bengal, Bangladesh...all parts of India and abroad. They are the real creators, yet are the most neglected.
'I never repeat my collections at fashion shows'
Is this your new collection? I mean, this is the first time you are showcasing it?
I have showcased something similar to this at a fashion show in Dhaka. But it is a new collection altogether. I did the settings at villages, came to Kolkata five days back, spent two days on choosing the right music, the next three were spent on stitching, and now it's all here before your eyes. I never repeat my collections at fashion shows. Our weavers are too creative to be repetitive.
'We tried to spread swine flu awareness'
If you were to describe this 31-outfit line, what would you say?
The first 27 outfits are all cotton, the last four were Balaka silk. The shoes and the skirts are all khadi. I used some tie-and-dye, checks and crochet works especially for the pallu of the saris. The colour palette was shades of blue and purple and a bit of lilac.
Some of the models were wearing swine flu masks...
Yes, it was a kind of swine flu awareness that we tried to spread.
'I use Bengali songs for my shows across the world'
What makes you choose Bengali songs for the rampwalk?
My collection talks about the weavers of Bengal and Bangladesh, mainly. So to maintain the ambience and do justice to my signature gamcha style that is rooted in villages, I use Bengali songs for my shows across the world. And when songs like 'Saat sagor ar tero nodir pare amar sopne dekha rajkonya thake' ('My dream princess lives beyond seven seas and thirteen rivers') play on the ramp, I feel these were composed for me only...
'I am a weaver at heart'
So, you want to be someone's dream princess?
(Laughs out loud) I wish I were a weaver's dream! I am a weaver at heart...how I love every bit of a weaver's life...don't know why I have a feeling that 'Ebar mole shuto hobo, tantir ghore jonmo lobo' ('When I die, I will be reborn as a thread at a weaver's home'). I will live a weaver's life in my next birth.
You dress up so many people...what do you love wearing the most?
Just like what I am wearing now...simple trousers with zips and simple clothes made by weavers.
'We use all sorts of natural products'
Your accessories are as popular as your 'gamchas'
Yes...we use all sorts of natural products like water hyacinth to make these bangles and we do the earrings twining and twisting threads and beads ourselves. And the best part of my accessories is that they are so affordable...a bangle costs just Rs 20!
'I am not here to make money, but to represent the weavers'
And the sarees?
A Bibi Russell tant saree costs around Rs 400. I am not here to make money, but to represent the weavers and assure that they get their share of appreciation and economic freedom.
What will be your next collection?
I will continue with this Magical Threads line at a Europe show this month only...but there will be more dresses, especially short ones, and trousers. I will also try some Bengal batik works for my future collections.
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