The much-anticipated ARKA Fashion Week 2025 began today at the Aloki Building, Tejgaon, Dhaka, spotlighting creativity, innovation, and the rich heritage of fashion. With denim as the theme for the opening day, the event highlighted the fabric’s timeless versatility, innovative potential, and unifying appeal.
Masterclass: Insights into the Future of Bangladeshi Fashion
Running from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the Masterclass series brought together some of the brightest minds in fashion to discuss various aspects of design, innovation, and sustainability. Each session offered a unique perspective, allowing attendees to explore various topics.
Designer Sobia Ameen led an engaging session focusing on the future of Bangladeshi fashion. She discussed sustainability, talent development, and the importance of representing local identity on both global and local stages. Reflecting on her experience, Sobia shared, “I would do a longer masterclass next time. I feel like it helped me look back at my own journey in the process of teaching and how far I have come from when I started.”
Flash Runway: Bold Designs in the Spotlight
The Flash Runway, held at 3:30 PM, was a unique highlight of the day. Unlike traditional fashion shows, this dynamic event featured participants selected directly from the audience, chosen for how well they represented the theme of the day: Denim. The chosen individuals walked the runway wearing their own creative interpretations of denim, showcasing the versatility of the fabric through a variety of styles and expressions.
This interactive approach brought fresh energy to the event, celebrating personal creativity and individuality while making the audience an integral part of the experience. One participant, who was selected to walk the runway, expressed their excitement, saying, “I’m nervous to walk but so happy to have been chosen. The outfit I’m wearing right now was entirely made and customized by me, so that makes this extra special!”
Design Lab
The Design Lab at ARKA Fashion Week is a dynamic space where creativity thrives and imagination takes center stage. This year, attendees can purchase a blank canvas—whether it’s a t-shirt, tote bag, scarf, or hat—and personalize it using a variety of customization techniques, including block printing, screen printing, hand-painting, patchwork, and more.
Beyond creating their own designs, visitors can enjoy live performances from artists offering face painting, hair braiding, and caricature sketches. A dedicated space will also host live art demonstrations, sparking inspiration and adding an entertaining touch to the experience. Open throughout the event, the Design Lab welcomes individuals of all ages to unleash their creativity and craft something truly one-of-a-kind.
Stay Tuned
The week has only just begun. With more exciting showcases, thought-provoking discussions, and captivating performances ahead, ARKA Fashion Week 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of style and culture.