Rimi Nayak showcased a line of easy-breezy separates at Bangladesh Fashion Week, her first physical showcase since the world woke up after the pandemic put it to sleep. Postshow, we caught up with Rimi to chat about her experience and travel tales.
How did you prepare for your first physical fashion show postpandemic?
The pandemic has changed the way we look at fashion shows. We started developing the habit of digitally showcasing our collections at fashion events and also launched our collections through social media channels. The Bangladesh Fashion Week (BFW) was my first physical ramp show post-pandemic and so the excitement for the event was paramount. We planned and prepared every styling detail for the show, including headgears and earrings. We discussed the music and choreography way in advance with Pinky (Kenworthy) as we wanted to be well-prepared before the show.
What were the emotions like considering the times we have been through, where at one point in time all this seemed like a distant dream?
I was thrilled yet a bit apprehensive as I was preparing for my first post-pandemic fashion show. The past couple of years had been marked by isolation and lockdowns, which made me apprehensive about returning to the adrenaline rush and sheer excitement of an in-person fashion show. The world had been forced to adopt a new normal of digital events, leaving me uncertain if we would ever experience the grandeur of an in-person fashion show again. However, I was overjoyed and thrilled to be part of a gala fashion event with a packed audience, filled with all the excitement that comes with showcasing my collection on the runway.
This was your second time showing at BFW…
I showcased for the first time in Bangladesh in 2015, and the hospitality and warmth of the entire team of the Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh was genuinely unbelievable. They instantly made us feel like family. When they extended the invitation to me this time, I confirmed my participation without any hesitation because the fashion event in Bangladesh is much more than showcasing my collection, it is a chance for me to meet old friends and relive warm moments.
(l-r) Rimi Nayak India showcased ‘Botanics’ at Bangladesh Fashion Week, Rimi Nayak took a bow post-show
What were the show day scenes like?
I reached Bangladesh on March 15 and went directly to the venue for the fittings. At the fittings, we did a trial walk with the models to see the fall, drape and flow of the garments and also got all our alterations done to get the perfect fit on the ramp.
March 16, on the day of the show, we reached the venue in the afternoon and along with Pinky, we did a trial run of our show sequence on the actual ramp along with the music. The show started at 8pm and by then the models were ready with their hair and make-up and we were ready with the ironed garments for the models to wear.
Thankfully my show went off smoothly without any glitches and the burst of colours that my clothes brought on the ramp was highly appreciated.
The collection was fresh and fun…
We showcased our summer/resort 2023 collection titled Botanics. The collection was heavily inspired by the vibrant and colourful blooms of Mother Nature and its unique flora and fauna.
The bold floral prints with embroidery highlighted in myriad bright hues were a tribute to the evergreen and effervescent nature at its best. The riot of colours was balanced with contrasting neutral shades to signify the opposites that occur in nature, including the change of seasons.
The collection is created using natural, sustainable, and 100 per cent plant-based fabrics from LIVA. Using LIVA’s fabric with modal technology, each garment is supremely comfortable, breathable, and soft and gives a flawless drape with a natural flow. Thus, the collection is not just fashionable but “responsibly and sustainably fashionable”.
What are your memories from the trip?
I got a day of free time to explore the city of Dhaka. Since my day off was on a Friday, a lot of places were closed but the good part was that the infamous Dhaka traffic was negligible. Two other fellow designers and I visited some popular local traditional craft stores, tried the local cuisine and went to the Liberation War Museum. It was an extremely insightful visit to the museum as we got to know in-depth details about the struggle that Bangladesh went through in their journey to establish itself as an independent nation.
We visited a lovely local store and restaurant called Jatra Biroti. The vibrant colourful walls of the restaurant were definitely Instaworthy. The store also had quirky products created by local artisans. We ended our day trip with a hearty meal of local cuisine. Special mention to their Kacchi Biryani.
This trip is very close to my heart as I showcased my collection on the physical ramp after a long time. I had a memorable time meeting my old associates in Bangladesh and also made wonderful new friends.
