Fashion Designer

1. Bibi Russell

3. Background: Bibi Russell
Birth place :Chittagong, Bangladesh
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Parents: (Father)Mokhlessur Rahman
(mother)Shamsunnahar Rahman

4. Education and Experience
 Education: 1Kamrunnessa Govt. Girls' High School
2.B.S.C from Home Economics College, Dhaka
 3.Graduate degree in fashion from London College of Fashion in
1975
Experience: She received her B.Sc degree from Home Economics College.
She went there because it would help her to study fashion. In the college,
she had Siddika Kabir, the famous Bangladeshi nutritionist and cook, and
Hosna Banu Khanom as her teachers. She graduates degree in fashion
from London College of Fashion in 1975. Then she started her career as a
modeler. She had worked with Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani.

5. Personal Life
 Bibi earned a graduate degree in fashion. After complete her graduation,
her principal told her that famous model agent Laraine Ashton wanted to
take her. She did not want to get into modeling but her professors
suggested her to become a model for it would help her to gain further
understanding of the fashion world. Modeling career: She started in 1976.
She worked as a model for different magazines
including Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. Bibi did her first
show for famous Italian fashion designer Valentino. Other top designers for
whom she worked for were Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Giorgio
Armani. Japanese designer Issey Miyake is Bibi Russell’s favorite designer.

6. Professional Life
Bibi Russell is a Bangladeshi Fashion Designer and the former
international model. In 1994 BiBi returned to Bangladesh and opened
Bibi Productions in the year of 1995.Firstly she works Bengali fashion,
cultural. ‘Bibi Productions’-a world-renowned fashion house working
with craftspeople in Bangladesh. She started in July 1995 fashion
house, fusing indigenous Bengali cultural elements into her line and
weaving clothes in Bangladesh. (Bibi Productions) it is a company that
tries to tap into this, bringing in bits and pieces from all corners of the
country.

7. She works with craftsman and his collection
gamucha, khaadi,jamdani and muslin. While working in
Cambodia, she designed products with recycled materials.
She is now an expert in recycling. One of the reasons
behind Bibi Russell’s success is research. She does a lot of
research. She is also a serious reader. She first claimed the
much-cited slogan ‘Fashion for Development’. Then on Bibi
has been working with craftspeople with a vision to save
crafts and revive their dream.

8. Entrepreneur Qualities
1. Open minded
2. Self starter
3. An unwavering passion
4. Innovativeness
5. Highly creative
6. Flexibility
7. Versatility
8. Foresightedness
Fashion Qualities
1. Strong business knowledge and
Sense
2. Strong sewing skills
3. Strong drawing skills
4. Strong visualization abilities
5. Good eye for materials

9. Challenges and Prospect
Bibi Russell introduced the idea of fashion for development through
Bibi Production. She works By reviving the local textile and
handicrafts industry, she wanted to alleviate these people from
poverty. Bibi is currently upholding Bangladeshi fabrics and
handicrafts for domestic and international markets Her idea 'Fashion
for Development and Positive Bangladesh'. Her work has been
internationally memorable having received among others.

10.  She did many exhibitions in countries around the world and
introduced Bangladeshi textiles and handicrafts and Bangladeshi
culture and heritage. Many of her exhibitions were sponsored by
UNESCO.UNESCO understood that there is a connection between
fashion with development, education, and health. For her work, Bibi
received a lot of international support. She visited top universities
that are now working on fashion for development. She was even
invited to the World Economic Forum. The Indian Government took
Bibi Russell to help improve their Khadi industry.

11. Prospect
Bibi Russell works for 'Muslin' cloth expressed that she has engaged
her everything for the betterment of the local weaving artisans here in
Bangladesh. She also told that she feels proud being a designer for
them and the success of giving them a better return for their work is
the ultimate strength fuels her to face such an adverse situation
working in Bangladesh for the remote undeveloped
artisans. Awarding her and other leading female designers, the
announcer expressed that fashion is personal and it should generate a
positive influence for all concerned. She dedicated her life to revive the
Bangladeshi textiles and handicrafts industry.