Not even a week is left till the TRESemmé Khadi – 'the future fabric show 2017' and our excitement is building up and why not? Especially when world class designers like June Ngo are taking part in the show! 

With a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, Ngo is also a reputed fashion designer from Malaysia specialising in Songket Weaving — a traditional craft of Malaysia, and neighbouring countries.

The designer hopes to uphold an interesting line-up of exclusive creations at the  TRESemmé Khadi – 'the future fabric show. 

“I have always been very keen in the revival of traditional crafts and fabric. So, when I was invited to this year's Khadi Festival in Bangladesh showcasing the heritage weaves of different countries I felt elated and thankful to FDCB for taking the initiative in organising such events,” the designer said.

 “For the  TRESemmé Khadi – 'the future fabric show collection, I have planned on using traditional Songket motifs floating on the colours and lines inspired from Kandinsky and Miró. I hope the fabrics will be able to create an aesthetic experience during the show, where the audience will be able to immerse in beauty, emotions, sights and sound from the music playing in the background.”  

It is no secret that every year the Khadi festival invites a significant panel of international designers to showcase their designs alongside the local designers. Star Lifestyle wanted to know Ngo's thoughts on the initiative and its effect on the rising popularity of Khadi, as a fashion statement.

“Definitely, it is a great scheme to preserve and promote the traditional weaves of a country. In my notion, the way forward should be to combine teams of designers from all over the world (textile, fashion and products designers), weavers and marketing experts and share their expertise on projects that help in increasing the demand and popularity of Khadi. It is important to create products with international appeal while maintaining the cultural identity,” she pointed out. 

Besides the cross-cultural idea sharing and inspiration build-up there is also another agenda behind the unique festival held each year and it is to promote the Bangladeshi culture in the global arena. 

Ngo seemed to agree on this note, “Because of the festival, I have learnt a lot about Bangladesh. I know that it is a country rich with culture and heritage; blessed with beautiful textiles such as the 'Khadi and Jamdani'. As a textile designer, I am particularly amazed with the skills of the weavers and the local designers who are championing projects in sustaining and preserving Khadi and Jamdani hand woven fabrics.”

Naturally the next big question was to ask her future plans for of any sort of collaboration with Bangladesh.   

All ecstatic, she informed “It would be 'a dream coming true' for us, should there be an opportunity to collaborate with local artisans or designers.”

Based on the hopes and dreams of brilliant designers like June Ngo, who are trying to make a difference, hoping their hard work takes a positive turn in changing the mindset of the millions of global customers to fall back in love with the dying traditional weaves of a country.

Photo Courtesy: June Ngo