Sumaya Khan Couture continues to create magic with the Festive Saga Series
With so many couture designers making a name for themselves in the local arena of fashion, why does Sumaya Khan Couture have a cult following? Was it because of her wholehearted devotion to authenticity or because of her colourful creations, which brighten up an industry bogged down by pandemic blues?
To understand her design concepts better, we decided to have a tête-à-tête with the designer herself.
You always opt for seasonal collections, this time you have something different. What is special about the festive collection?
Sumaya Khan Couture turned two this summer. For the past two years, we have created Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections, along with one bridal collection called Pakeeza in winter 2019. Even though it is a very short span of time to establish oneself as a recognised designer, I have been extremely lucky because of the enormous support, love, and appreciation from my clients.
While developing seasonal collections for Sumaya Khan Couture fans, I also realised that Bangladesh has quite a number of festivals to celebrate, we simply are a nation that loves to rejoice. Besides the 'many' religious festivals, we also have the traditional Bengali wedding that has so many layers of celebration including a mehndi, holud, nikah, sangeet, walimah, etc., and people need stylish clothes for all or many of these occasions.
The Festive Saga — 2021 collection is a series of exclusive couture collections, which particularly caters to this need. Customers no longer have to wait for Eid or the wedding season to view the exclusive Sumaya Khan Couture collections.
Where did you get the inspiration for your latest collection – The Festive Saga?
Honestly, I breathe fashion and art! Since childhood, I have always been fascinated by our cultural heritage, the lifestyles of our kings and queens, how they focused on each detail of the outfits they wore, their hand made jewellery, those beautiful Islamic architectural patterns, ancient palaces and their authentic craftsmanship behind their furniture.
I also look up to how our grandmothers and mums dressed up with so much grace and elegance.
I am a very traditional person and I believe one must remember their roots to move further and that is the only way we can pass it to our next generations. The Festive Saga – 2021 collection is a mix bag of all my thoughts put together, there are many things I look up to whenever I design and each day, I learn something new about our history which helps me focus on my current designs.
What will we get to predominantly see in this collection? Where is it available?
The Festive Saga – 2021 collection is a traditional and luxury couture collection; hence, it screams Sumaya Khan all over! This collection is very close to my heart, as I have created it using all my favourite fabrics, starting from Jamdani, raw silk, velvet, chiffon, georgette, and Muslins. I did not use Benaroshi this time because my first bridal collection was all about Dhakaiya Benaroshi lehengas.
Most of these outfits took over 160 labour hours to make. If you see the details and quality of my work you will know, and only a true couture outfit lover would value such craftsmanship.
This collection is perfect for any festival or weddings. I would say even a bride can easily wear it herself on many of her special occasions; all they need are the right jewellery and a perfect shade of red lipstick to complement the look.
Due to the global pandemic and current lockdown in Dhaka, the Festive Saga – 2021 collection is available through our Facebook and Instagram pages. Once things are better, we will take limited appointments.
Anything else brewing at Sumaya Khan Couture?
Sumaya Khan Spring/Summer 2021 collection is ready to hit the market, but due to the lockdown we are waiting for the right time to launch. We are currently working on the fashion catalogue on our website for the customers to view the products. This is not an e-commerce website; all our outfits are made to order like any other couture brand.
Photo: Mehedi Rahman Ehab
Concept: Sumaya Khan
Visual Artist: Fatima Zohra
Models: Prejual Chakma, Roza Bari, Nusrat Shahrina
Makeup: Nausheen Nawar
Hair: Aminul Islam
Accessories: Sparkle
Essentials
Sumaya Khan Couture
House 15, Road 18, Block A,
Banani, Dhaka 1212
Phone: +8801970101694
E-mail: [email protected]
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