Bangladeshi designer Tanvir Mahidy makes historic London Fashion Week debut

On the 19th of February, 2026, Bangladesh witnessed a momentous stage at the London Fashion Week, where Manchester-based Bangladeshi designer, Tanvir Mahidy, made his remarkable debut. Presenting his collection, which contained a significantly pressing message, the runway served as a display of fashion items which showcased skilled work and bold patterns.

Mahidy’s career began in 2012, when he started working in Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector. From Beximco, one of Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates, he went on to contribute as a designer at Noize Jeans. After that, he worked with major global brands including Zara, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Primark, and Levi's, to name a few.

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His knowledge of denim extended beyond fashion trends because he understood it as a specialised technical skill. “I discovered denim’s textile weight and its ability to withstand wear, therefore, its attraction to consumers,” Mahidy explained, regarding his work.

Beyond manufacturing, Mahidy collaborated with renowned Bangladeshi director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury as a costume designer, helping create a number of TV ads for global corporations. His grasp of narrative, visual culture, and emotional impact, elements that currently characterise his runway presence, was honed by this interdisciplinary experience.

Following all that, London became Mahidy’s platform for expressing his denim identity, which conveyed a more powerful message this Fashion Week. He used his research to investigate the environmental effects of denim production instead of praising its traditional industrial style.

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“The worldwide denim industry produces substantial industrial waste, which ends up in rivers that suffer from pollution. My collection obtained its emotional core from Bangladesh's rivers, which have suffered from industrial denim waste disposal throughout many years,” expressed Mahidy, while discussing his designs for the Fashion Week.

His showcase at London Fashion Week was more than a personal milestone. It was a proud national achievement. Mahidy used fashion to transform his work into activism against environmental destruction. It was not just about fashion. It was about identity, pride, and creative sovereignty. To celebrate the historic moment, Bangladesh High Commissioner at London, Her Excellency Abida Islam, was also present.

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“This is not just my moment,” Mahidy reflected. “It is a proud moment for Bangladesh. For our craftsmanship. For our resilience. For our creativity. And for our rivers.”

Presently employed at INFLUENCE MANCHESTER as a Menswear Designer for Native Youth, Tanvir embodies a new wave of Bangladeshi designers who are influencing global fashion. His strong academic and creative background from his MA in Fashion Design from the University of Salford established his global career.

Articulating his emotions on his design line proudly walking the London Fashion Week stage, Mahidy said, “I believe I am one of the few Bangladeshi designers representing our culture here at London, after Bibi Russel, which I believe speaks volumes about the industry’s future. It is only onwards and upwards from here.”

Photo: Courtesy