Behind the looks: Bangladeshi designers shaping celebrity fashion

"These days, it's not just the performances that are grabbing attention; our homegrown celebs are also making headlines with their bold fashion choices at major events here and abroad.

These looks stood out not only for their intricate details and craftsmanship but also because of the stories behind them. Many of these viral moments were the result of heartfelt collaborations between the stars and homegrown Bangladeshi brands.

The effort, vision, and creativity of brands such as Zurhem, Safiya Sathi, and Guzel went into these looks, which have managed to bring Bangladeshi fashion into the international spotlight like never before.

A Cannes moment to remember

When Al Amin attended the 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025, it wasn't just a big moment for him as an actor. It was also a big win for Bangladeshi fashion. Known for his soulful voice and charming screen presence, Al Amin starred in Ali, a short film by Adnan Al Rajeev that received a special mention, marking the first time a Bangladeshi film to be selected for the Short Film Competition at the Cannes Film Festival

At Cannes, director Adnan Al Rajeev drew praise for both his film ‘Ali’ and his standout looks styled by Dhaka-based label Guzel.

But what really caught people's attention was his red carpet look. For the film screening, Al Amin wore a custom suit designed by Zurhem, a Dhaka-based luxury fashion label led by creative director Mehruz Munir. Known for blending South Asian craftsmanship with modern design, Zurhem brought a youthful and elegant energy to the outfit.

Interestingly, Al Amin shared that he had no specific vision in mind. "He definitely knows better than I do," he said, speaking about Mehruz Munir. 

"I've been following his work for the longest time and trusted that he would come up with something that complements me." 

Though he did show some inspo photos of tuxedos and baggy pants, most of the creative decisions were left to the designer.

For Mehruz, this was a proud moment. "We styled 13 celebrities for Cannes this year, most of them French actors, models, and TikTok stars, but Al Amin was the only Bangladeshi. It was special," he said. 

For the film screening at Cannes, Al Amin wore a custom suit designed by Zurhem, a Dhaka-based luxury fashion label led by creative director Mehruz Munir

Mehruz's main focus was making sure Al Amin felt confident and comfortable. So, they created a short tuxedo featuring a huge hand-embellished crystal water lily motif on the forefront, with a broken crystal design and a zardozi stem that flowed to the back and then back around to the front, hanging just below the tux hem. The uneveness  added a modern, artistic flair. The water lilies was a symbolic touch, representing both Bangladeshi culture and a key element in the film Ali.

"When we were dressing him, I imagined Timothée Chalamet. Al Amin is kind of our very own Bangladeshi Timothée," Mehruz added with a smile.

For his second Cannes look, Al Amin found himself a little lost. He didn't know what to wear but felt he wanted to do something creative, something that felt personal. So, he picked out a black blazer from his closet and started painting on it with acrylic colours. With a bit of help from friends, he finished the whole look in just two days.

Al Amin shares, "Apart from being a cultural symbol of where I come from and the country I represent, water lilies holds a special meaning in the film as well. You'll only truly understand its significance once you watch it. I received a lot of compliments on my suit from many people attending Cannes, and that felt really great."

Tradition with a touch of glam

Back home in Bangladesh, the 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards on 23 May 2025 saw another stunning fashion moment, this time featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury. Her hot pink saree, created by designer Safiya Sathi, was a head-turner for all the right reasons.

According to Safiya, the inspiration came from something very personal. "The actress really wanted the saree to match her hot pink Louis Vuitton clutch," she shared. 

For the 26th Meril-Prothom Alo Awards, Mehazabien Chowdhury wanted a saree to match her hot pink Louis Vuitton clutch.

The final result was more than just a colour match, it was a celebration of Bangladeshi beauty and nature. The saree featured hand-embroidered herons and water lilies, symbols closely tied to the country's natural landscape and heritage.

Ten artisans worked on the piece for over 10 to 18 days, carefully bringing the vision to life. The attention to detail in the motifs made it not just a beautiful outfit, but one filled with meaning. It was a modern, stylish tribute to the country's roots.

Telling stories through clothes

At Cannes this year, director Adnan Al Rajeev not only gained international praise for his film Ali but also caught attention with his standout fashion choices. His looks were a result of a creative collaboration with Dhaka-based fashion house Guzel.

Guzel is known for mixing traditional Bangladeshi craftsmanship with modern design, and Adnan's red carpet look was the perfect example of that balance. Styled in a short kurta paired with wide flared pants and an overshirt, his outfit reflected both personal taste and national pride. 

The overshirt was made from a stretchable, creased fabric, hand-embroidered with delicate zardozi work, a process that took nearly a month from concept to final stitch.

Nafiz Imtiaz Chowdhury, founder of Guzel, shared, "We wanted to craft something that reflected cinema's spirit and the soul of our country. What better symbol than the Shapla, our national flower?"

While many chose black for the red carpet, Guzel went the opposite way, a clean white silhouette with subtle gold details. It was bold, refined, and unapologetically Bangladeshi. "This is more than fashion. This is heritage, reimagined," Nafiz said.