Asad Sattar’s new collection “Ami Dhaka x Be Here Now- Stories Woven in Gold” celebrates the soul of Bangladeshi craftsmanship in a global conversation on modest fashion
By Mahjabin Rahman
Between heritage and innovation, a thread weaving its way from Moscow to Sonargaon and finally to Jakarta. For Asad Sattar, Founder and Creative Director of Ami Dhaka, this year unfolded as a journey across continents, with Ami Dhaka carrying the spirit of Bangladesh’s craft traditions and the vision of what he calls Heritage Futurism.
Ami Dhaka is a contemporary Bangladeshi fashion brand founded by Asad Sattar. Rooted in craftsmanship and cultural heritage, the label reinterprets South Asian textile traditions through modern design, sustainable practices, and understated elegance. Its work has been showcased internationally in Moscow, Sonargaon, and Jakarta, marking the rise of a new Bangladeshi design identity that is both globally aware and deeply grounded in local culture.
At the Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MOTIONFEST), the world’s largest wastra-based modest fashion event, Ami Dhaka presented its latest curated collection titled “Ami Dhaka x Be Here Now- Stories Woven in Gold.” The showcase was held from 8 to 12 October 2025 at the JIEXPO Convention Center & Theatre in Jakarta.
Presented by Bank Indonesia and the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC), IN2MOTIONFEST brought together designers, scholars, and industry leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It became one of the most significant cultural and design exchanges of the year. Amid the vibrant rhythm of the event, Ami Dhaka’s collection stood out for its grace and contemplative beauty.
The Vision Behind Heritage Futurism in Modesty
For Ami Dhaka, Heritage Futurism is a cultural manifesto that seeks to preserve the roots of traditional craft while allowing them to evolve through thoughtful innovation. At IN2MOTIONFEST, Asad Sattar translated this vision into modest fashion with a softer, introspective touch.
The collection featured ten curated looks, each serving as a meditation on Bangladesh’s textile legacies. Materials such as muslin, silk, khadi, katan, and block-printed fabrics were reimagined through modern silhouettes that blended simplicity with sophistication.
Traditional handwork such as karchupi, zardosi, katha, and metal embroidery appeared throughout the collection, yet the detailing spoke softly. Every stitch reflected Ami Dhaka’s belief in strength and emotional subtlety. Drapes flowed with effortless fluidity while patterns merged heritage and futurism through structure and movement.
The result was a visual and emotional dialogue between tradition and modernity, identity and innovation, spirituality and simplicity. Each piece stood as a reminder that craft can be both a cultural memory and a contemporary language.
In Asad Sattar’s own words, “We wanted to create garments that speak softly but carry deep meaning, where heritage is not just referenced, but lived. Each piece from Ami Dhaka is a reflection of the hands that made it, the artisans, weavers, and embroiderers who continue to breathe life into Bangladesh’s cultural identity.”
A Global Celebration of Craft
IN2MOTIONFEST 2025 became a meeting point for cultures, creativity, and craftsmanship. Alongside Ami Dhaka, the festival featured a diverse group of international designers including Yodyko (Thailand), Bench Bello & Jay R Flores (Philippines), Fiziwoo (Malaysia), Gokhna Yvas (Turkey), Qooq (Turkey), Laura Matilde Lampugnani (Italy), Madame & Mister Sbiratia (Spain), Mkayai (Australia), and Sheida (Dubai).
Each designer brought their own interpretation of modest fashion, balancing cultural authenticity with innovation. Together they formed a collective expression of creativity and resilience, showing how craft can serve as a universal language that transcends geography and faith. The festival became not just a showcase of garments, but a dialogue about identity and the shared human impulse to create beauty.
Stillness Amidst the Noise
Amid the vibrant pulse of Jakarta’s fashion scene, Ami Dhaka gave a moment of calm and contemplation. Set against a minimalist stage, the collection moved with poetic grace, each layer and texture carrying quiet echoes of heritage and human touch. The presentation invited audiences to pause and experience craftsmanship as something alive and evolving, rather than a memory of the past. Through its seamless harmony of Bangladeshi tradition and modern design, the showcase reshaped the meaning of modest fashion, transforming it from restraint into expression, from concealment into awareness.
Looking Ahead
Following its success in Jakarta, Ami Dhaka prepares to return home for Arka Fashion Week, which will be held in Dhaka from 5 to 8 December 2025. The upcoming showcase will continue the brand’s exploration of heritage as a forward-looking narrative, connecting local artisanship with the global movement toward sustainable and mindful fashion.
Reflecting on the journey, Asad Sattar shared, “Every city adds a new layer to our story. From Moscow to Jakarta, we have seen how deeply audiences connect to authenticity. Craft is a universal language, and through fashion, Bangladesh has something timeless to say.”
Ami Dhaka’s story is about legacy. It symbolizes the growing influence of South Asian craftsmanship on the world stage, positioning Bangladesh not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a center of design intelligence, cultural storytelling, and artisanal excellence.
All information and photos are provided by the Management.
