Bibi Russell Founder, Bibi Productions
Interviewed by Raiyan Rabbani, Team MBR

Bibi Productions is a Bangladeshi social enterprise that makes clothing and homeware designed by Bibi Russell promoting local fabrics and handicrafts. Bibi began in 1994 when she returned from Europe after living there for more than 20 years. Her mission is to revive the local textile and handicrafts industry and alleviate the economic situation of the craftspeople. Team MBR was in a conversation with Bibi Russell, Founder, Bibi Productions, to learn about her inspirations and vision behind Bibi Productions.

Raiyan Rabbani: Until 1994, you were pursuing a successful modeling career abroad. What was the biggest inspiration to leave such a prospective career in Europe and establish Bibi Productions in Bangladesh?

Bibi Russell: First and foremost, my inspiration came from the rural community of Bangladesh. They have so much to offer for the people of Bangladesh. Growing up within them, my motivation to come back to Bangladesh was to work for them. If you talk about my icon as a child, I would say Robi Thakur. His style of writing, clothing, etc., attracted me. Apart from him, other icons of mine were Begum Sufia Kamal, Jainul Abedin, Sheikh Mujib, Kamrul Hasan and many more. After that, education given by my family comes. All these led to one thing, setting up Bibi Productions solely by myself for the rural people of Bangladesh.

Raiyan Rabbani: Bibi Productions is doing business in fashion industry with a special focus on the betterment of the textile and handicrafts industry of Bangladesh. What impact do you think Bibi Productions have created on the local textile and handicrafts industry?

Bibi Russell: I handpicked people from the lower middle class who are fully trained by me. I want these people to continue with Bibi Productions. This will impact the lives of many rural community people whose handcrafted products will continue to be demanded after I pass on my affairs to them. They will own Bibi Productions as their own and help the rural community members develop their lives through better standards of living. Apart from that, I want to represent Bangladesh as an ambassador of sustainability andfashion for development for which my enterprise comes to stand out. My fashion shows have been instrumental in taking the Bengali culture beyond borders.

Raiyan Rabbani: The products of Bibi Productions are unique in terms of design and selection of fabrics. Where do Bibi Productions take inspirations from to design its products?

Bibi Russell: Using fashion as a tool for economic development in the rural areas has always been the aim of this social enterprise. My commitment to create awareness and appreciation for the culture is stark in every item in the store. The idea of the ‘gamcha’ as a design base for most of my products is in its diversity. It is a functional fashion accessory that bridges invisible social gaps, whether around a rickshaw puller’s waist or a student’s neck.

Raiyan Rabbani: Will you kindly share with us what social objectives Bibi Productions is serving alongside doing business in the fashion industry?

Bibi Russell: Bibi Productions serves to provide livelihood for over 30,000 weavers all over Bangladesh, and seeks to employ many more over a wider area. However, its aspirations to touch aspects of sustainability and concern for the environment are also reflected in its recent line of pieces made out of recycled materials. Boxes made of bamboo and newspaper, old chips’ packets and posters, etc., are some examples.

Raiyan Rabbani: Bibi Productions mostly produces its products with locally sourced raw materials. How does it ensure smooth flow of raw materials as artisans are located all over the country at remote places?

Bibi Russell: Craftsmen whose products are to the specified standards both in terms of local and international markets, I give them the required design and they make the product. After that, these products are sent over to my office for further inspection and rectification. I give them correction over phone. If after that, they do not understand what changes to bring, they come over to my office and directly get in touch with me. I also carry out visits to these rural areas from time to time to collect samples from them directly.

Raiyan Rabbani: To start a business in the fashion industry back in 1994, that too being a woman, was surely a bold step. Did you face any barrier to start the business back at that time? How did you resolve them?

Bibi Russell: The business of handmade products is not an easy journey. The need of the hour is designers who are willing to work at the micro-level and often alongside people from under-privileged backgrounds. At that time, I invested my life’s savings in Bibi Productions. That was very difficult. With meager financial assistance, I started my office. I did not get any funds unlike a charity did nor do I get them now. It is entirely funded by me, and I must take care to carefully spend any limited money I have. Whatever money I earn, I invest in Bibi Production.

Raiyan Rabbani: During the COVID-19 pandemic, fashion industry was hit by massive economic downturn. How did it affect your business? What strategies did you undertake to be resilient amid the aftershock of the pandemic?

Bibi Russell: Artisans and craftspeople have been imperative for me during this global crisis, because they need to survive. Since they were unable to make any crafts and I was unable to provide them designs due to restrictions on travel, the effect was inevitable. As a result, they were unable to pay for their daily living expense let alone making handcrafted products. Currently, orders have started to increase again and opportunities for exports to countries like Spain have opened which can help to reduce the aftershock of the pandemic.

Raiyan Rabbani: The heritage and the people of Bangladesh are at the core of the business of Bibi Productions. Will you kindly share with us how Bibi Productions is helping uphold Bangladeshi culture in the global arena?

Bibi Russell: Over my past career, I have received “Designer for Development” and “Artist for Peace” by UNESCO. I am also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador representing the handicraft industry all over the world, and especially, the poor people from my country. I also got a chance to work as a model with renowned brands like Vogue and to work alongside renowned fashion designers like Valentino from Italy. That is where I represented my country.

Raiyan Rabbani: The number of women entrepreneurs is significantly lower than the male entrepreneurs in the context of Bangladesh. What steps should be taken, you think, to promote the women entrepreneurs so that more of them come up?

Bibi Russell: Many women are being inspired by my initiative for Bibi Productions. In fact, the number of women selling clothes online have increased drastically. Women should be actively encouraged and promoted for setting-up their own enterprise, especially in rural areas. But, first, they have to focus on what they actually want to do. They also have to be resilient during challenges and work hard to set up their own initiative.