Bangladeshi designer makes history at the V & A in London

Rahemur Rahman is the first to admit that his distinctive prints and patterns are inspired by his Bangladeshi heritage, family photographs, and by historic South Asian textiles, including those at the V&A.

‍Seen above, his block printed suit, which can be worn with equal flair by both women and men, is surrounded by other great world designers of this generation and currently takes centrestage in the second section of the 'Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear' exhibition, which opened in late March at the historic V & A in London. The section where it is showcased is aptly titled Overdressed and features a melange of designers, including Gucci's Alessandro Michele, a Randi Rahm cape worn by Billy Porter on the 2019 red carpet of the Golden Globes and various artwork from the Renaissance, all the way to contemporary artists like the Nigerian British Yinka Shonibare CBE, RA. Gucci is a main sponsor of 'Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear'.

Rahman's own desire to nurture sustainable craftmanship lead him to collaborate with Bangladesh-based Aranya Crafts, supporting local makers and cultivating traditional techniques such as natural dyeing and block-printing. A graduate of Central Saint Martins College, where he now teaches, Rahemur continues to push education, community and social engagement through his fashion brand.

The tailored ensemble featuring in this film by the V & A above was originally created for Rahemur Rahman's Children of the Rag Trade collection – a homage to his father's London tailoring career – and has now been acquired for the museum.

To read more about the exhibition, now ongoing until 22 November, 2022, find Nina's piece about it on Flaunt Magazine.

Image courtesy of the © Victoria and Albert Museum, used with permission