Promoting films through fashion 

Biplob Saha is a fashion designer in Bangladesh. He is the founder of Bishworang, a leading fashion brand in Bangladesh, and a singer, who launched a music album ‘Musically Biplop Saha’, by G-Series. He has masters in fine arts from the Institute of Fine Art at University of Dhaka. He is the pioneer of blending Bangladeshi film history with fashion emerged, which marked the beginning of promoting cinema through fashion.

He not only performs his duty in the fashion industry but also does social work out of obligation. For this in 2010, he organised a ground-breaking exhibition titled ‘Presence of Colour in Our Daily Life’ for the first time at the National Museum, which received wide appreciation from fashion enthusiasts.

Aiming to the intellectual development of children, he organised a unique competition and exhibition titled ‘Amar Range Amar Ma’ on Mother’s Day. He also organised reality show ‘Twenty-Twenty Colours’, ‘Sharad Saje Bishwo Ranga Didi’, and ‘Basanti Sundori’.

As the dynamic force behind the esteemed fashion brand Bishworang, he shares his inspiring journey in a personal interview with Business Post.

How the idea of promoting films through fashion did come?

In 2017, the history of the golden age of Bangladeshi films, the expression of aesthetics in different levels of effort of colorful decoration in Bengali New Year Baisakh clothes inspired by various accessories of traditional Bengali film stills came to my mind.

The idea of blending Bangladeshi film history with fashion was first implemented during Pahela Baishakh in 2017. In the same year, Baishakhi clothes were named ‘Traditional Bengali Cinema’ which was designed with still images of traditional Bengali films. It marked the beginning of a new era in promoting films through fashion. In subsequent years, I continued to incorporate elements of cinema in clothing designs, collaborating with notable films such as ‘Devi,’ a government-funded production based on the novel by Humayun Ahmed, as well as films like ‘Paran,’ ‘Golui,’ ‘Beauty Circus,’ and ‘Ma.’

How challenging was the journey of promoting national heritage and culture through clothing?

I’m grateful to the people for their love and support throughout this journey. It provided me with invaluable experiences. Standing beside the weavers and receiving their genuine support, I embarked on a mission to promote and preserve our national heritage. As I began working with this goal, the media also joined in, making the path smoother. Through media coverage, our domestic products quickly reached people’s doorsteps, expanding the market and transforming people’s habits and preferences. The support of renowned personalities and a growing number of customers were incomparable.

You have been working in the fashion industry of Bangladesh for a long span of 28 years. How was your journey?

My journey began in 1994 with a small 100-square-foot shop called ‘Rang’ in Narayanganj with a rent of Tk 1,000 a month. Initially, I had not started stocking clothes yet, but it was the inception of my dream. Over time, the Rang shop expanded to 200 square feet, and now there are 18 showrooms. The love of the fashion-conscious people of this country has transformed my vow of painting. In 2015, we started our journey under the new name ‘Bishwarang’ to spread Tagore’s feeling ‘Rang Jeno Mor Morme Lage’ worldwide. Bishworang has provided employment opportunities to approximately 5,000 individuals directly and indirectly. Throughout these 28 years, the love of people and the blessings of God have been my true achievements.

What is the main purpose of making showroom?

I make them from my personal love, affection, and hobby.

What is the goal you planned for your future?

My dream is to create a platform where people in my city can easily access quality local products without going to Dhaka.

What are the specialties in clothing?

I always try to represent the native culture through clothes. Any motif, local or national, or cultural, is the specialty of my attires.

Who are your target consumers?

Everyone, from upper class to middle class.

Who are the best models for your brand?

It depends on attires. I have experience working with everyone like Nayak Raj Razzak, Kobori, Ferdous, Mou, Tisha to present times actress Puja Chery.