Bibi Russell
Bibi Russell is a Bangladeshi fashion designer and former international model who founded the fashion house Bibi Productions in 1994. Her label is known for collections built on Bengali handloom traditions and rural weavers.
| Founder | Bibi Russell |
|---|---|
| Fashion house | Bibi Productions |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Focus | Handloom fashion |
What is Bibi Russell?
Bibi Russell is a designer from Bangladesh, born in Chittagong in 1950. After graduating in fashion from the London College of Fashion in 1975, she modelled for magazines including Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar and walked for designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani.
History
In 1994 she returned to Bangladesh and opened her fashion house, Bibi Productions. As of 2004 the company worked with some 35,000 weavers in rural Bangladesh. She has since shown collections abroad, including a khadi collection inspired by Rajasthan at India Runway Week.
Products and positioning
Her designs blend indigenous Bengali cultural elements with contemporary fashion, built around handloom textiles produced by village weavers.
Recognition
- UNESCO Designer for Development (1999) and Artist for Peace (2001)
- Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Costume Design (2009)
- Honorary Fellowship of the London Institute (1999)
Why it matters
Bibi Russell is a reference point for fashion as a development tool: her label links international design exposure with livelihoods for rural artisans in a country better known for export garment manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Bibi Russell?
Bibi Russell is a Bangladeshi designer and former international model who founded the fashion house Bibi Productions in 1994.
What is Bibi Russell known for?
She is known for fashion built on Bengali handloom textiles and for working with tens of thousands of rural weavers.