Tenzing Chakma’s tribal collection for Summer 2022

If you are a fashion enthusiast in Bangladesh, there is no way you are not aware of Tenzing Chakma and his gorgeous fashion creations. Bringing to centre stage the unconventional attires of the indigenous community, he plays with textures, colours, and looks to create sheer magic on fabric. From his material to his models, everything is sought locally and each collection oozes a fun, tribal charm, stealing the hearts of style savants everywhere.

In his most recent summer collection, he has chosen to dapple with black and white checks and simple white fabric, with patterns and concepts inspired by the people of the Pangkhua community in Rangamati and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

In his quest to make this collection a truly summer friendly one, he has used cotton, instead of the more authentically used hand-woven fabric of the region. The collection is a fun mix of bell sleeved and belted dresses, loose kaftans, and billowy maxi summer dresses — all of which can double as exciting beach wear.

Keeping in mind the scorching heat, the cool monochrome colours help in reflecting heat and offer the wearer some much needed respite from high temperatures. The splashes of colour on the sleeves and necklines are genuine Pangkhua motifs in bright colours, lending the outfits verve and youthful buoyancy.

Wooden bangles and tussled jewellery complete the look, locking in the tribal allure. In a manner of saying, each ensemble is a treat to the eyes and the practicality of the designs takes nothing away from the oomph of the outfit.

Tenzing's vision of taking indigenous fashion to a fusional crossroads where modern-day men and women can wear the articles and look every bit as chic and comfortable as they would in regular outfits has proven to be a most successful one for him.

"Not only indigenous people — my collection will look good on most Bengali faces, as well as foreigners. However, I try to use females from the Chakma community as models to bring some uniqueness and freshness into the look-book," said the designer.

From wanting to study in fine arts and becoming a painter, Tenzing Chakma has taken his creative flair to a whole new level with indigenous fashion designing. However, while he may be the master of his own trade, he shows his human side by not being able to choose a name for his own collection.

"I have so many things on my mind about my work but when it comes to choosing a name, I am absolutely unable to decide on any particular one," he said.

A dilemma to be sure, but with styles as bold as these, can any one name really do the collection justice? We will let you decide!

Photo: Hill Valley Production

Models: Sumedha Chakma, Samudra Chakma, Bijeta Chakma, Anushka Chakma, Upama Chakma, Kochpana Chakma, Trijita Khisha, Gunjana Chakma

Wardrobe: Sozpodor by Tenzing