Ctg boutiques happy with crowds at fair
Visitors take a look at colourful dresses at a three-day fair, Baishakhi Utshab, organised by the Designers Forum at Zila Shilpakala Academy in the port city of Chittagong yesterday. The exposition ended yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
Boutiques in Chittagong took part in a fair to welcome the Bangla New Year of 1420 and boost sales in an otherwise gloomy environment.
Organisers were happy with the unexpected success of the three day fair that ended yesterday.
'Baishakhi Utshab 1419' under Designers Forum attracted huge crowds at Zila Shilpakala Academy despite the current wave of political unrest and violence.
Painter and fashion designer Ahmed Nawaz, who heads Designers Forum, said they formed this platform in 2007 to bring all the designers and boutiques under one roof. Even with competition being fierce between the boutiques, it is healthy and they occasionally meet to share ideas and concepts for their mutual benefit.
Visitors take a look at colourful dresses at a three-day fair, Baishakhi Utshab, organised by the Designers Forum at Zila Shilpakala Academy in the port city of Chittagong yesterday. The exposition ended yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
“We wanted to show the traditional outfits of Pahela Baishakh using our own designs and indigenous materials and to help the boutique houses make up for the losses incurred for the current political scenario of the country,” said Nawaz, describing the first of its kind fair.
Designer Subrata Barua Rony, an official of Designers Forum, said it is tradition to wear new clothes on the first day of the Bangla New Year and decorate the home.
“People not only buy new clothes and fashion accessories for all members of the family, but also buy home décor items,” he added.
Enthusiasm was quite evident among visitors at the fair as they could see the clothes of all the boutiques under one roof.
Visitors take a look at colourful dresses at a three-day fair, Baishakhi Utshab, organised by the Designers Forum at Zila Shilpakala Academy in the port city of Chittagong yesterday. The exposition ended yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
Two college-teachers Lucky Das and Banani Dutta who work in Rangunia and Sitakunda respectively came to the fair on the first day to check out the fair. The two friends ended up shopping worth more than Tk 12,000 for saris, 3-piece sets, bedcovers and accessories.
“I think it is a splendid idea to have a fair like this where one can visit a number of boutiques. Such fairs should be held every year,” said Lucky Das.
Abdur Rahim, a local folk singer, was seen trying on a number of fotuas and panjabis at a stall. He bought one of each.
“I am fascinated to see the true colours of Baishakh on display here and I hope the organisers will increase the size and scope of the fair next year.”
Kaniz Fatima, a housewife from Chawk Bazar, came to the fair with her two daughters aged 10 and 12 years. She was relieved to complete her shopping for the whole family from the same place.
”I do not have to run from shop to shop for my Pahela Baishakh shopping, and this fair has given me the opportunity to choose from a large variety of items.”
Organisers were upbeat with the overall success of the fair, both in terms of attendance and sales, despite the prevailing political situation, said Nawaz.
Visitors take a look at colourful dresses at a three-day fair, Baishakhi Utshab, organised by the Designers Forum at Zila Shilpakala Academy in the port city of Chittagong yesterday. The exposition ended yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
“It has given us the impetus to organise bigger and better fairs like this in the future.”
Eleven boutiques -- Anindya Fashions, Arion Fashion, Doll's House, Dream Fashion House, Meah Bibi, Munmun's, Needlework Boutique, Sreya, Pinon, Rawshan's and Shoilpik -- took part in the fair.
The boutique owners now hope that more customers visit their stores to complete their shopping for the Bangla New Year that is just a week away.
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