Shamima’s collection ‘Conflicted Heritage’ focuses on the inner struggles that exist within all of us in various aspects of our lives, which shape us to be the individuals we are. This particular project explores her own conflicting thoughts and emotions that arise out of a need to construct an identity that considers all of the flavours of her different cultures.
Shamima is a British-born, Bangladeshi Muslim and very often the values of these different identities can clash with one another, meaning mixing together the aspects of each culture is perceived as a paradox.
Having been inspired by the constant struggles she faces, she wanted to create an identity that does not forsake the different cultures that influence her. She chose to pursue the theme of conflicting cultures that can inadvertently become harmonious and create heritage inclusive of different cultures.
Her range of prints are inspired by the architecture surrounding the excel bridge in Royal Victoria. The drawing, print and images are abstract and focus on the complicated, interwoven shapes rather than the architecture itself. The linear abstracts symbolise the conflicts and fears that come with ambition and the need to control the uncertain in order to achieve something spectacular.
The arabic calligraphy highlights Shamima’s own personal conflict with her religious identity, depicting the transition between feeling proud of who she is and despising certain parts of her cultural identity.
The linear and calligraphic drawings are mixed with negative photographic imagery used to illustrate the exposure of the unseen, creating a combination that translates into this almost chaotic yet methodical imagery.
The linear and calligraphic drawings are mixed with negative photographic imagery used to illustrate the exposure of the unseen, creating a combination that translates into this almost chaotic yet methodical imagery.
For her collection, Shamima began to research Bangladeshi indigenous clothing. The sari is a large part of Bangladeshi fashion, from the simple cotton ones to the more extravagant, embellished ones.
However Shamima wanted to create a collection that looked edgy and contemporary. She used Haider Ackermann and Alexander Wang as her inspiration, in terms of how they both combine subtle drape with structured garments. As a result of this she began to mix different fabrics such as leather, duchess satin, crepe, denim and chiffon. She also started to deconstruct the pleats found in a sari to discover innovative ways in which it could be applied to more western clothing such as a leather jacket.
However Shamima wanted to create a collection that looked edgy and contemporary. She used Haider Ackermann and Alexander Wang as her inspiration, in terms of how they both combine subtle drape with structured garments. As a result of this she began to mix different fabrics such as leather, duchess satin, crepe, denim and chiffon. She also started to deconstruct the pleats found in a sari to discover innovative ways in which it could be applied to more western clothing such as a leather jacket.
