QRIUS HELD THE WINTER EXHIBITION 2021 TO PRESENT THEIR COLLECTION OF NAKSHI KANTHA INSPIRED WINTER CLOTHING AND RAISE AWARENESS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Curator
QRIUS – Winter Exhibition 2021
Traditional winter wear of Bangladesh has roots in regions all over the country. Lahari kantha from Chapainawabganj, khaddar shawl from Comilla, khadi made burgi from the Hill Tracts of Chittagong, khesh from Sylhet, and sheepskin blankets from Rajshahi are some of the names tied closely to winter for many Bangladeshis. Celebrating the diversity and creativity of winter wear, QRIUS hosted its Winter Exhibition 2021 at their Banani showroom from November 30 to December 16.
The exhibition showcased the fashion brand’s winter collection for men and women in four displays – Symphony of Kantha Stitch, Rhythm of Blues, Aesthetic Complexity, and Fade in/ Fade out. Patrons were guided through the vibrant colours of the saris, blazers, and panjabis with designs inspired by the patterns of nakshi kantha. While the fit and style of the clothes were contemporary, they had the traditional essence of the kantha stitch ingrained in them; a collision of modernity and Bengal heritage.
THE EXHIBITION WAS CURATED BY RENOWNED DESIGNER, CHANDRA SHEKHAR SHAHA, WHO IS ALSO SERVING AS THE DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR QRIUS.
Jewelleries were also on display at the exhibition. Handcrafted wooden bead garlands from the continent of Africa, pendants inspired by antique Mexican jewelleries, metalcrafts from India, jewelleries made from tamarind seeds lined with silver, and cloth necklaces made from repurposed ready-made garments and knitwear were on display throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition was curated by renowned designer, Chandra Shekhar Shaha, who is also serving as the design consultant for QRIUS. Besides presenting the latest collection from QRIUS, the exhibition also promoted awareness of global warming. Didactic texts and graphs on wall panels educated visitors on the gradual rise in global temperature.
The juxtaposition of winter and global warming delivered a strong message and call for action for the steps that we, as individuals, must take to reduce our impact on the environment. “In the 1950s, the magnitude of winter in Dhaka that we used to experience, and comparing that to what we have been seeing since 2015, is a stark contrast,” commented Shekhar Shaha. “The climate change due to global warming has raised the question – in 75 years, will such winter exhibitions even exist?” he lamented.
“Diversity of seasons brings diversity in life. Let winter stay. Let there be pitha, nakshi kantha and crackling fires. Let us be green, let us be conservative, and let us enjoy winter vibes. That is what we hope for.”
