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| Bangladesh acquiring new model army |
|
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| Most young models are getting into the profession through
newspaper adverts or being talent-spotted |
|
| The profession of modelling
has become increasingly popular in Bangladesh, reflecting a growth in the country's
advertising industry. |
|
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Demure clothes are
still a requirement |
|
In the past, traditionally conservative
parents would have been reluctant to allow their daughters to flaunt themselves in public.
They would have been worried
that such behaviour would have damaged the woman's prospects of finding a good husband.
Although the industry is still in its infancy,
modelling is no longer regarded as unsuitable for women. |
| Actress and model, Tania Ahmed, said: "The social barriers we had were mainly due to the cultural
environment here. "The
atmosphere when I started was not that encouraging but gradually when young people from
educated families entered the profession, standards were raised and quality
improved."
Men are also getting into the business but do not
earn as much as their female counterparts if they make it to the top.
|
 |
|
Tania Ahmed says standards have improved |
"I have to think a lot to do my designing
because I'm not using stretch materials, jersey materials, chiffon, velvet or any
machine-made fabric," said Bibi.
 |
Bibi Russell is the only international
model that Bangladesh has produced. She organises fashion shows with models that she has
spotted on the street and then trained. She said: "These people you find often don't have the confidence
because no-one ever told them they are beautiful."
However, there is still a vast gulf between the
waif-like international supermodel |
| Bibi says many girls do not realise their beauty |
|
and her demure Bangladeshi
counterpart who will not wear anything too revealing and brings her mother along as a
chaperone at casting sessions. |
BBC, March
13, 1998 |
|
| Bibi index page |
| Bibi
Photo Gallery |
| Bibi in
brief |
| Beauty tips
from Bibi on dieting |
| Bibi Russel Bichitra interview |
| Bibi
becomes honorary fellow of London College of Fashion |
| Bibi Production fashion show video (real audio) |
| Bibi's US
victory |
| Grameen Uddog |
| London fashion - Bibi with others |
| Making development fashionable |
| Bibi Russel
named UNESCO special envoy |
| Bibi
Contact |
|
 BBC News archive from London Fashion
week
|
| British fashion struts its stuff |
| Bangladeshi chic debuts in London |
| 'Stars
of Bangladesh' to open London Fashion Week |
|
