For decades, Bangladesh has been synonymous with the global garment industry, exporting ready-made apparel to brands worldwide. Despite the rich heritage, unique style, and century-old expertise in crafting intricate embellishments, our high-end fashion has garnered little attention on global runways. In an era where designers are redefining contemporary luxury with comfort, quality, and craftsmanship, Bangladeshi designers are also breaking the barriers — presenting their unique vision, innovation and versatility on international platforms.

From Dhaka to Paris: A celestial journey

Recently, Bangladeshi fashion designer Mehruz Munir's collection "Solaris" has dazzled Paris. Showcased on 8 March during Paris Fashion Week 2025, the line-up captivated the audience with its mesmerising designs. According to Munir, the goal was to make a bold statement about the luxurious side of Bangladeshi fashion.

For the showing, he also ensured that the outfits of Solaris were comfortable to wear contrary to the common belief that high-end outfits are impractical. The 15 men's ensembles incorporated suits, parkas, tuxedos, and overcoats — each piece delivered with a flair of contemporary chic. The women's wardrobe featured five breath-taking gowns with sparkling sunbursts and solar flares. The silhouettes exhibited a dramatic interplay of firmness and fluidity — a perfect ode to haute couture.

Munir said that the embellishments have been skilfully handcrafted. "Our craftsmanship and luxury deserve the spotlight," he stressed. The sensational transition of colours from white to gold, green, and black made an engaging show, honouring the core theme of Solaris, "A Gilded Journey from Dusk to Dawn."

The display was staged at the Chapelle Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc, a monumental venue that added to the moment's significance — marking a breakthrough for the local fashion scene. "Representing my country on one of the world's largest fashion platforms was emotional and empowering," Munir shared joyfully, who is also the creative director of renowned fashion house, Zurhem.

The possibilities of Bangladeshi luxury couture

"The world sees Bangladesh through the lens of fast fashion and mass production," Munir remarked, "They do not associate us with high-end fashion and I thought it is time to change that narrative."

Organised by the House of Vendôme Paris, the showcase was certainly a dream come true. According to Munir, it has challenged their views about our industry too. The positive feedback he received added to the achievement, "I kept hearing that we should have a presence in Paris, it was incredibly inspiring."

Since 2015, Mehruz Munir has been the creative director of Zurhem, a fashion house that is known for its innovative menswear line-up. Has the journey been smooth? In his experience, navigating the fashion industry without a sense of community can be challenging.

"Like other countries, functioning as a fraternity, having a proper support system can greatly benefit our fashion scene," implied Munir.

Message for emerging fashion designers

Paris Fashion Week is a global trendsetter. The mega event influences fashion for seasons and fashionistas all over the world turn their eyes to the glamorous runways. For a Bangladeshi to have a seat at the table undoubtedly sends an inspiring message to our designers.

So, what is Munir's message to aspiring fashion designers? "Always dream big! I've lost count of the number of people who doubted my vision, but I kept pushing — day in and day out," he reflected.

He suggested that quality is a non-negotiable and that materials, finishing, and perfecting the fit are crucial. Staying informed about international trends is also important. "The most important thing is visibility and social media is your best friend," said the visionary designer. "If your work is strong, it will get noticed. That's how it happened to me," he revealed.

Lastly, we asked the man of the hour what was next for him. Munir replied passionately, "My mission now is to push our work further onto the international stage. I want our home-grown, Bangladeshi brand to be recognised globally — whether in Paris, London, New York, or Milan!"