TUCKED away in the Kobi Nazrul Centre, not so coincidentally the centre for Bengali arts and culture, the British-Bangladeshi menswear brand Rahemur Rahman held their presentation during LFWM.
The models were seated in a cosy living room setting, with crisp white sheets almost transforming it into a den, which was meant to resemble a traditional South Asian wedding. Not a far stretch, considering the collection itself was inspired by old photographs from his family in the nineties in London. With the garments bringing the metaphor of a wedding to life, one where western menswear ties the knot with Bangladeshi style.
Rahman fused his dad’s love for tailoring and his mum’s dedication to the culture and community of her home country. The result? Meticulously tailored suits and two-pieces in exotic colours and patterns. With his garments he retells stories of South Asia, giving people a way of exploring their identity but through ethically hand-woven and naturally dyed textile from Bangladeshi. Celebrating the craft without exploitations.
The stories he tells are colour-ridden with eclectic patterns. A bright turquoise blue and a earthy brown are the protagonists, interspersed with soft beige and a pale purple. The striking suits and knitwear was paired with chunky boots in deeper green and aubergine hues and a touch of golden make-up completed the looks, giving it that regal touch.
Immersed in a world of colourful history, interwoven with tradition, Rahemur Rahman redefines what it means to be Made in Bangladesh.
by Lupe Baeyens