Origin

I was always afraid to follow my dreams. I cut it up into pieces years ago thinking that it was impossible. Thinking that I wasn’t good enough to meet myself where I wanted to be. I went to school for fashion but was too intimidated to do anything with it. So I put away my fabric shears, the heaviness of it laid in my chest for years after I graduated. To create your own happiness while not having the mental tools to achieve it can be debilitating. I felt like I was slowly digging a grave and placing my talent in it to be buried. I wasn’t even aware that I was doing it. As I progressed into my late 20’s, I found myself losing everything I did have. Whatever happiness was left, whatever support or mental and financial stability I had was slipping away and I couldn’t do anything about it. So I left. I booked a flight to Hong Kong and Bangladesh, I needed to leave and figure it out. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it was something. I couldn’t imagine that such a low point in my life would lead to a road of so many possibilities. Everything is scary until it isn’t. I guess approaching my 30’s placed me in a tornado that people refer to as Saturn's return. An unknown was calling to me to the other side of the world, and through adversity, I found a way to revive my dream.

Every decision I made there was almost based on love, so I committed to it. I told myself everything I do from now will not be based on fear, only love. Failing can be easier to accept rather than not trying at all. I know that my purpose is beyond myself. If I can’t be on this planet and serve people other than myself then what is the point of life? Of course, I want success and wealth, but I had to ask myself why I want it. I want wealth for my family and people. What part can I play to make even a few lives better? This is what Bangladesh reminded me of. And what my mother always taught me.

My culture is me, it’s magic. I am tied to Bangladesh no matter how far I am. I will feel the ties for my people more than the companies that use them. My mother raised me to be proud and know where I come from. I want to save the craftsmen and women and revive their dream. I want to respect the textiles birthed in Bangladesh. I want to honour where I come from by using my privilege and opportunity in North America, after all this is the dream, isn’t it?

While visiting the fabric shops I felt the child in me screaming, I felt so much excitement, inspiration. My blood was infused with ideas. Then I saw it. The fabrics for my first collection. I immediately fell in love. I didn’t buy it at first, I didn’t know what the hell to do with it anyway. But that night I tossed and turned, and realized that’s what was calling me all this time. My mother said that if I wanted to do it, I should. The resources are all here. And we are here now. We went back the next day and I bought whatever they had in that fabric. I didn’t know what would be made and how, but I jumped in. I had yards and yards of this fabric. I knew an incredibly talented tailor and craftsman. His cutting, it’s a dream. After a bit of convincing and encouragement, he was on board.

This is a big dream, with big rewards. This is the happiness I’ve been searching for. Years of corporate life, answering to someone else, feeling insignificant, allowing my dreams to turn to ashes, how could I dishonour my existence by choosing that life? I’m not even sure how I made all this possible. It seems like a blur. But I’m here now, we all have problems in life but we can choose what type of problems we want. You create happiness, and I want to spread happiness. I want people to have something that makes them feel special, something unique and luxurious. What we wear not only influences how we feel, but how others feel. Colours, patterns, it’s all evoking. Origin has become an ode to my culture, the beautiful blend of Bengali silk and cotton with vibrant patterns makes me tearful with joy. Now I’m getting ready to launch my second collection. I pray I can continue to grow, save people. Bring beauty, joy and happiness into my life and everyone that is a part of this dream.