Denim show takes off in Dhaka

A two-day denim and jeans show kicked off in the capital yesterday, to showcase the country's denim and jeans items to international buyers.

The denimsandjeans.com organised the exhibition at Radisson hotel with support from Germany's international cooperation agency GIZ. Twenty-six firms from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Germany, Turkey, Brazil and China are displaying trousers, fabrics and machinery.

The event is open from 9:30am to 6:30pm to invitees only, organisers said in a statement yesterday.

Ferdinand von Weyhe, charge d'affaires of the German Embassy in Dhaka, inaugurated the exhibition, where AKM Salim Osman, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Tapan Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, were also present. 

Many brands, buying houses, entrepreneurs and fashion professionals involved in technology, chemicals and piece dyes, have been invited to the event from Europe, USA, UK and several Asian countries, organisers said.

“We want to ensure that the show brings an international focus to these products, to serve the masses and niche needs in textile and apparel,” said Sandeep Agarwal, organiser of the show.

Agarwal said the event is an extension of the first and second shows held in 2014, and brings all stakeholders together again.

Agarwal has been associated with the denim industry for 20 years and the show is named after his denim website, denimsandjeans.com.

A denim fashion show will play out at the exhibition as well.

Denim experts from Europe and USA, including Adriano Goldschmied, the founder of Diesel brand, have been invited to share their knowledge on denim, the statement said.

On the second day of the show, GIZ will hold a discussion on prospects of denim. Garment industry leaders, retailers, technical experts and chemical suppliers will discuss the environmental and occupational health issues of denim manufacturing and the opportunities for the sector.