Jamdani

Bangladesh has made massive economic and social progress since gaining independence in 1971. The country has madea notable mark in the global map for its textiles industry, emerging as one of the largest garment exporters in the world.

From its rich array of textiles crafts, if there is one that enjoys cult favourite status– then its indisputably the Jamdani.

Jamdani may not have garnered international fame but locally, it’s the nation’s favourite choice of fabric. Popularly worn as a sari for special occasions, jamdani evokes a special category of sartorial joy. Search #jamdani on IG to see for yourself.

So why is jamdani such a cult favourite? For one, it is considered to be one of the finest varieties of muslin, steeped in age-old history. Vivid Mughal inspired motifs are handwoven onto the most delicate fabric to createproducts thatscream luxury. It’s highly breathable and lightweight characteristics are perfect for the warmer climates of Bangladesh. But above all, what makesjamdani truly unique is the craftsmanship of the weavers, a niche, highly skilled group of handloom artisans who have perfected their unique craft in Bengal for centuries.

Jamdani is a labour of love. It’s a time-consumingprocess, involving elaborate threading and weaving. The motifs are imprinted directly on the loom using the discontinuous weft techniqueand can take up to months to finish. The motifs that make jamdani so special are often weaved from memory and passed down generations. Not everyone can produce the likes of a jamdani, which is why in 2013, it was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage craft.

Jamdani is the sartorial equivalent of gold. Machine produced jamdanis can never compete with the polished look of an original. Enthusiasts take delight in identifying authentic pieces which often come with a hefty price tag.

A jamdani shari is no less than a family heirloom, often handed downfrom mother to daughter. They come in a variety of different designs to suit every occasion, from bold and artistic to soft and feminine.

One simply cannot feel satiated with their jamdani collection. Just when you think you have seen the best, you chance upon a new design that takes your breath away. Earlier this year, Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon wowed people at Cannes Film Festival in a classic, 100 thread count, beige-olive half-silk jamdani. Adorned with golen ‘jori’ thread, the sari made every Bengali woman – and man – across the world swoon with delight.

Jamdani is a symbol of pride and identity for Bangladesh. It is the clothing that people gravitate towards when representing their motherland on an international stage. Wherever you find a Bangladeshi woman, you will find at least one jamdani shari lovingly tucked away in her room for that ‘special occasion’. Indeed the jamdanis in our wardrobes unite us across the globe, from New York to London, Dhaka to Sydney. Quite simply put, wearing a jamdani sari makes us feel like Bengali royalty.

Mustafiz Hakimis excited to uphold this ancient Bengal tradition and honouring the craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to preserving, promoting and sustaining this beautiful craft. We hope to bring Jamdani under the international spotlight, as it so rightly deserves.