Celebrated designer Rina Latif reveals her design inspirations and plans for her next collection

A Rendezvous with Rina Latif
Photograph by Farhan Ahmed

Wardrobe: Rina Latif
Model: Peya
Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakil’s
Photograph: Riyad Ashraf

Rina Latif’s eponymous label is all about elegance, beauty and drama. Her pieces are a masterstroke of creative inspirations. While contemplating design ideas, Rina creates a fantasy.  “I don’t usually keep trends in mind while designing my collections. Rather, I try to create stunning ensembles that become  trends,” she shares. With fall fashion knocking on our doors, Rina’s designs are worth drooling over.  “There’s a lot of drama in the fall collection,” Rina reveals just enough to pique the curious mind. Been in the industry for more than 20 years, Rina believes that our fashion industry needs to establish its own identity in order for growth and sustainability. “With the rich textile heritage Bangladesh has to offer, we can have a very exciting industry. But before that, we need to find a particular voice and originality. It would also help if our government has copyright laws which can be enforced when and if the situation calls for it,” she suggests. Given the advent of technology, trends often get replicated; as a result, it affects originality. “We need policies which are going to protect the industry and which eventually would lead to its growth,” Rina hopes. When it comes to choosing materials, Rina’s love for Bangladeshi fabrics is unparalleled. “I enjoy working with Bangladeshi fabrics the most. Of course, I’m usually associated with my work with the diaphanous muslin- but I also really enjoy working with our crisp cottons and silks,” she smiles. Rina’s collection also features crisp taats, khadis and velvets. Every designer’s design aesthetic speaks volume of their style and preferences. “My line always invokes femininity, drama and a vision that’s true to its charm,” she wraps up.