Jamdani Project Historic costume-making from the early 19th Century
A Photo Journal
Jamdani Project Has been made possible by the efforts of the following people: Project Participants Tayeb Grace Sindy Nguyen Sonia Obasogie Sabrina Begum Rumali Khan Sara Hilmi Kai Johnson Humaydah Fabiha Gloria Massamba-Lutama Tutors Felicity Westmacott Eleanor Bell Elizabeth Callow Muslin Trust Rifat Wahhab (Chair) Dr Lipi Begum Saif Osmani Bruce Sheppy Dr Sonia Ashmore Sabina Khan Ruby Ghuznavi
Designed by Saif Osmani / Avid Art Agency Jamdani Project: A Photo Journal - second revision Š Muslin Trust 2016
Special Thanks Carole Morrison, London College of Fashion Sheron Williams, London College of Fashion The Consortium of Bengali Associations Dr John Sanders, David Game Higher Education Abbey Community Centre, Westminster, London Photographic Credits Muslin Trust, Tapash Paul, Muhammad Ahmedullah, Nurun Nahar Nargis
Jamdani Project Fine muslin was one of the most popular fashion choices among Regency women, including that of English novelist Jane Austen in the early 19th century. With the decision to include Jane Austen’s image on the British pound, the Muslin Trust saw the increased interest in this era as an opportunity to revive interest in muslin. Although the original muslin is no longer produced, its inheritor fabric Jamdani survives. Originally called “flowered muslin”, Jamdani incorporates the most complicated of the hand weaving techniques used for muslin, where motifs are interwoven in the fabric. Muslin Trust engaged school pupils, young people and adults to work with Jamdani fabric. The Muslin Trust chose two historical Jamdani meterages and commissioned them to be hand woven by Bangladeshi weavers using traditional handlooms. Awards for All England, part of the Big Lottery Fund, were successfully approached for funds to support the project. An outreach to schools, youth and community centres and the support of the London College of Fashion to recruit participants has led to a very successful finished project. The project has provided an opportunity for young people to learn about the skills involved in historical sewing techniques and working with Jamdani. Participating in the project has helped them acquire transferrable skills, improve their chances of future employment in their chosen fields and enhance their learning portfolios that will assist with their entry into higher education in the longer term. www.muslintrust.org