Dear friend,

For several centuries textiles from Bengal, especially Muslins, were worn by fashionable London women.  This project will help reveal the story of Muslin (the famous textile of Bengal) and bring out that long, but little-known, Bengal-British connection to light.

We are inviting creative individuals with an interest in heritage and fashion to join the project, recreate some of the historical costumes worn by London ladies (produced by Bengal fabrics) and help discover, in a practical way, how Bengal and Britain was historically connected for many centuries.

To find out more about the project and please come to the

Project launch / Open evening
6-9pm, Wednesday
8 February 2012
Davenant Centre
179-181 Whitechapel Rd, E1

Programme

1.    Information on the project

2.    Short film on Muslin

3.    Presentations:

·         Muslins: Bengal / Bangladesh and Britain by Sonia Ashmore (historian and author of Muslin (V&A autumn 2012)

·         The East India Company’s textile trade by Dr John McAleer, Curator of Imperial and   Maritime History, National Maritime Museum

·         Bhaf-thana by Rezia Wahid, weaver and teacher (www.woven-air.com)

·         Recreating historical costumes by Mia Wallden, Illustrator and Costumier            (www.miawallden.blogspot.com)

4.    Exhibition

5.    Refreshment

I would be grateful if you can kindly circulate the information to your friends, colleagues and contacts. 

Regards,

Muhammad Ahmedullah

Project co-ordinator