Stitching culture: Shafayet Hossain Khan’s ode to Bangladeshi

The wedding pictures of celebrated actor, Mousumi Hamid clad in a red Benarasi with a radiant smile on her face still lingers in our minds. The designer of her bridal attire, Shafayet Hossain Khan, owner and designer of KhanSaab Studio, has tirelessly worked day and night to turn Mousumi’s vision into a reality. While Mousumi Hamid’s wedding outfit has garnered plenty of attention, the genius behind this well-crafted ensemble, Shafayet Hossain Khan shares his story with us. 

In the heart of Mirpur, almost a decade ago, Shafayet’s brainchild, KhanSaab Studio, was born out of a passion for traditional attire. Reflecting on the inspiration behind KhanSaab Studio, Shafayet recounts, “A decade ago, driven by a passion for traditional attire, I founded KhanSaab Studio in a small factory in Mirpur. Our F-commerce start-up gradually evolved to showcase innovative Bangladeshi ethnic wear, focusing on Jamdani, organza muslin, Benarasi, katan, taant, silk, khadi, and cotton saris.” 

In a country like ours, it is not easy for start-up owners to keep their businesses thriving without encountering a few roadblocks along the way. 

“The absence of initial capital posed a significant obstacle, but I leveraged every opportunity and tirelessly improved my skills. Today, KhanSaab Studio is a thriving enterprise with an in-house studio where our artisans passionately craft their designer masterpieces,” Shafayet shares.

Convincing a modern audience to embrace traditional attire requires more than just passion – it demands a strategy that would make traditional garments like saris appealing to contemporary tastes. Shafayet keeps his designs authentic along with the promotion of minimal statement looks.

“I believe in creating designs that resonate with a timeless aesthetic, allowing for versatile pairings. This encourages fashion ethos where the same clothing items can be worn several times, each time presenting a fresh and unique statement. It’s an invitation to embrace a wardrobe that evolves with personal style, reducing the need for constant consumption,” he elaborates.