Rina Latif is an icon of the Bangladeshi fashion industry, representing the country’s rich textile heritage internationally and locally. She is a celebrated designer, but her acumen for business puts her in the list of top entrepreneurs. Rina Latif would describe herself as an artist, a dreamer and most importantly, a mother. The inspiration behind her work is evidently nature, as floral, leafy motifs are abundant in her creations. Despite Latif’s many successes at home and abroad, she remains humble and keeps out of the spotlight. In a conversation with ICE Today, she accounts her experience of being one of the sole representatives of Bangladeshi fashion on the world stage.
How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?
People should feel unique, confident and very comfortable in their skin when they are wearing Rina Latif. Women should not compare themselves to some socially constructed image of perfection. We all are beautiful; no matter our size, height, complexion or background. We need to embrace our uniqueness. Being confident in your own skin is the first step towards to the path of self-acceptance.
How is working in fashion different today than from when you started?
How is working in fashion different today than from when you started?Fashion is forever evolving. The challenges I faced then are different from the challenges of today, but they still exist, nevertheless. However, the rampant copying and plagiarism that plauges the fashion industry thesedays is very frustrating.
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
Social media has influenced every aspect of the fashion industry over the past decade. For the most part, fashion used to be a two-dimensional, one-sided industry where the consumers had very little input. Social media has reframed this structure, allowing users to consume fashion and contribute to it. Fashion is now a two-way street where consumers can be contributors; new ideas get circulated much quicker and inevitably change faster.
Being one of the pioneers in this business, would you say that it’s hard to stay innovative?
In a creative field, there are always hurdles. It is your responsibility to overcome them and channel that creative energy into creating a collection, a narrative that speaks of your struggle or challenges. Fashion changes by the minute; we no longer hold our creativity back, and that freedom has helped change the fashion business. An unapologetic approach of expression, touching the heart and soul through my creations, has always been the approach for me since the beginning.
What aspects of the fashion industry would you like to change?
As I have mentioned, rampant copying and plagiarism is the biggest impediment to the industry’s growth. Designers are now in constant fear of getting ripped off even before they begin. Unfortunately, this practice has now become a trend and is driving away promising young designers from the industry. I would love to see all the industry stakeholders, including social media platforms, come together and develop a sustainable solution.
What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?
Be fierce, and most importantly, be unapologetically you.