New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Former supermodel and internationally renowned fashion designer Bibi Russell has joined hands with ethnic Bodo women of Assam to train them in modern design techniques and help them weave a new line of lifestyle products and market them as a premium label.
The women, who are a part of Weaving Destination project led by United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and Population and Community Development Association (PDA) of Thailand, includes those living with HIV, survivors of human trafficking and female migrant returnees.
According to a UNDP statement, these women produce a range of hand-woven products such as garments, scarves and hand-woven fabric for both individual and industrial use that preserve traditional Bodo motifs and weaving techniques.
Russell will further train these women so that they can create a new line of products that will blend traditional Bodo culture and high fashion, the statement added.
‘Women need support to develop skills that will help them to be economically independent and socially confident. What they need is self esteem, human dignity and empowerment for better livelihoods and sustainable income. This is what I am committed to,’ Russell said.
The former international model from Bangladesh will initially train the women for a fortnight at their production camp in Bodoland.
Patrice Coeur-Bizot, the UNDP resident representative in India, added: ‘Beyond economic empowerment, the Women and Wealth Project (of which Weaving Destination is a part of) in Assam provides a space for psycho-social support that helps women to collectively cope with the indignities and discrimination they face at home and in society as trafficked survivors and HIV positive women.’
Chaya, a staff member of Weaving Destination, said: ‘I joined Weaving Destination production campus in 2009 and since then I have been supporting my family back home. Today, I am very confident of leading an independent and dignified life and have been able to inspire other women as well.’
