A LOOK BACK AT ARKA FASHION WEEK 2023
Fashion serves as a medium of self-expression and cultural identity. This year, Dhaka witnessed the transformation of fashion into a movement. The inaugural ARKA Fashion Week 2023, held from October 26 to 28 at Aloki Convention Center, echoed the vibrant pulse of the city’s youth eager to be part of the mission to democratise fashion.
Asad Sattar, founder of ARKA Studio, envisioned this inclusive event that was as much about sustainability as it was about style. The event’s diverse offerings ranged from a bustling marketplace housing over 50 local entrepreneurs to the Design Lab, an interactive space where people could go to any one of the seven different design stations with facilities for block, patchwork, screen printing, hand printing and appliqué and create their own designs. The Design Lab was packed with visitors throughout the three days, proving to be one of the most popular attractions at ARKA FW. The festival also featured an art gallery space where 10 visual artists and 2 sound artists worked together to create an installation which was curated by Shehzad Chowdhury and Adrita Mahin Khan. Each night ended with performances by popular bands like Joler Gaan, Karnival, Smooches, Dads in the Park, and Meghdol, who enchanted their fans, each in their own way.
Globally inspired yet rooted in Bangladeshi tradition, the fashion shows that took place at ARKA FW over a span of 2 days and 8 segments, presented designs that seamlessly merged the contemporary with the classic. Be it models skateboarding down runways or the delicate shades of colours derived from mango leaves; every stitch on the runway told a story, and every fabric sang a song. Designers from abroad with Bangladeshi roots also participated in the fashion shows. Among them, Sezan Khan’s brand MOIRÈ caught everyone’s attention as it articulated the intricate dance between two identities. MOIRÈ’s designs mirror the tug-of-war between his American upbringing and his Bengali heritage, as informed by Sezan. A highlight of the runway was the cue for the costumes for the upcoming film Project OMMI, the first Sci-Fi movie to be produced in Bangladesh. Directed by Amit Ashraf, the movie is yet to be released but at ARKA FW we caught a glimpse of the futuristic, 3D printed cyberpunk costumes from Project Ommi designed by Sadia Rupa.
THE FIRST EDITION OF ARKA FW WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS – WITH A TURNOUT OF OVER 5000 PEOPLE, AND A PROMISE TO RETURN BI-ANNUALLY, ARKA FW IS SET TO FURTHER REVOLUTIONISE THE FASHION INDUSTRY IN BANGLADESH.
Another brand that stole the show was Kino – the delicately designed dresses in subtle shades and soft fabrics looked flawless, bringing in a touch of contemporary chic elegance to the runway. The element of sustainability was also present on this exclusive stage – from brands like Broque, which promotes a zero waste circular model to create upcycled, gender-neutral fashion wear, to ones like Aranya, a fair trade dedicated to preserving and advancing the traditional crafts of our country in a sustainable manner. Some new brands like Twills made their debut at ARKA FW, and others like Ami, Colors, Prokitojon, From Dacca, R Rahman, Tapered and Guzel showcased some exceptional designs on the runway. The runway also featured 15 creations of students from fashion design institutes curated by Afsana Ferdousi. The showstopper of ARKA FW was the finale of the fashion show – Kathal. With a bold fire-spinning performance igniting the beginning of the cue, Kathal’s collection for the runway was edgy and dark, something very different for the fashion scene in Bangladesh. Utah Group, BGMEA, Paramount Textile and Prothom Alo were the Gold Sponsors, while MTB, YOYOSO and APEX were the Silver Sponsors of the event. The Strategic Partners were Prime Bank, Scratchboard, Bhai Bhai Productions, Blitz, ICE Today, Gala Makeover Studio & Salon by Navin Ahmed, Aloki, BAYLA, Haal Fashion, and the Patron Partners were Rave, CAF, and Kona Cafe.
ARKA Fashion Week wasn’t just an event – it was a statement of diversity, creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity. The first edition of ARKA FW was a resounding success -with a turnout of over 5000 people, and a promise to return bi-annually, ARKA FW is set to further revolutionise the fashion industry in Bangladesh, ensuring that the country doesn’t just export garments but exports fashion.
Photographs: Courtesy of ARKA Fashion Week