Bibi Russell defines fashion as a necessity. “It is a culture, how you cover yourself. I can stay without food for two days but not without clothes, even for five minutes.”
Born in Chittagong, Bibi grew up in Dhaka, where she studied and graduated. She was the first woman from Bangladesh to study at the prestigious London School of Fashion, bagging contracts with reputed brands right after she graduated in 1975. Having worked with magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar , and brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani, Bibi made her mark in the world of fashion and modelling.
Bibi was in town to interact with the fashion incubator team at Myntra. “I visit Bangalore every now and then. I love your city,” she says. Her accessories — the prominent nose-ring, colourful bangles, multi-coloured spectacle frames, assorted rings and a gamchcha style checkered stole — add to the vibrancy of her persona.
While her siblings opted for careers in medicine and engineering, Bibi decided that she wanted to study fashion. Her parents supported her choice and off she flew to London to pursue her dreams. She adds that modelling wasn’t part of the plan, though. “I didn’t want to be a model, it came to me. But I’m thankful because it made me mature and gave me the opportunity to see the world and other cultures. The experience of travelling and getting to know people from different backgrounds helped me better understand what I do. That is what I’ve loved about my time as a model.”
Recounting one of her most memorable experiences from the modelling years, “There is only one thing in this world that I’m scared of — snakes! Once, I was booked for an important assignment with a prestigious photographer. We went to a desert area in Africa. It was only after reaching the location that I came to know the shoot involved a python. I was too terrified to bring about any facial expression and, eventually, had to walk out of that assignment.”
Bibi returned to Bangladesh in 1994 and opened Bibi Productions, to help revive the textile culture of her homeland. “If I’ve had even one bit of success, I owe it all to my country. It was my dream to return and help my people,” she says. Her fashion shows have been instrumental in taking the Bengali culture beyond borders. In India, she has worked in villages of Rajasthan and Kolkata, learning and helping develop their textile crafts. “While working, most of my time is spent in villages. People in villages inspire me. There is a beauty that lies in poverty, that is what I try to show,” Bibi explains. “Poverty is not a disease. It can be overcome, but gradually, step by step.” She has no worries about the future and is confident that her work and legacy will be carried on by her people.
On designing for Bollywood, Bibi says, “I really don’t have the time. I worked in Goutam Ghose’s Moner Manush , which was a period film based on Lalon Fakir. I grew up reading Tagore and when I was approached for this movie, I was very excited. I knew my work would be recognized.” Her costumes for the lead character, Lalon, were praised for being realistic and specific to the time period portrayed.
She evades a playful question about her age, saying, “Happiness and mental satisfaction are what count. You can think I’m 16 or 60, it doesn’t matter.”
