S25 Linen named by my Grandma

My Nanu - Jahanara Islam, lovingly called Jubilee. 

Loves Rabindranath Tagore

A singer, philosopher, mother, wife, grandmother: I have always been amazed by how she fulfilled all her roles with such care and ease. She's my version of "classy lady".

Born in Chittagong, Bangladesh when it was still part of India during the British occupation, Jubilee was the youngest of 8 children and her father was a British officer at the time. She always describes her childhood memories to us fondly, talking about simpler times when she realized she loved to sing more than going to school, following her brothers around and just being a girl who had the right to dream.

She married my grandfather out of love - a scholar, aspiring professor she describes him as the man she always knew she wanted. And turns out, they were soulmates! Together, they filled every corner of their home with literature, culture and music. They lived in Dhaka University Teacher's Quarters from the late 60s to 80s - a time when the city was bustling with young, educated & passionate minds and they had some powerful friends.

My grandparents had 2 children - Their daughter, Megh (my mom) is the eldest and their younger son Barshan. My grandmother taught and sang classical music for 30 years (she even sang in the radio and television) whilst my grandfather got high credentials at the University of Dhaka. 

 

My relationship with Nanu 

Since birth, I have lived with or very close to my grandparents. They looked after us when my parents worked. My grandmother would pick my brother and I from school, bath us, feed us - I have memories of counting the stars in the balcony with her when power went out (which happened often in the 90s). I also remember my grandma taking me to her cool friends' houses where they would sip tea and chat about cultural programs on tv.

As I grew up, my grandma started teaching me about LOVE. When I asked her “how are you and Nana still so in love” she told me “Love fades. Marriage consists of respect and trust, and if you and your partner mutually share that then you will always be together”. 

No matter how my grandma spent her days, she always went home at night to be my grandfather. 

Her Style 

My grandmother has always loved nature, and her style reflects that—classy, elegant, and deeply rooted in simplicity.  She doesn't like the colour Red or Yellow as they are too bold, but she likes soft pink like the colour of magnolia. 

She always used to say to me "be natural". To her, that meant neutral colours, a light touch of powder, and lipstick in shades that looked effortless. Her grace lives in those quiet details, and I think it's kind of embedded in me and my mother's style.

2021 onwards…

My grandfather died in November 2021, just a few months after I started Better Day due to health issues. He didn't suffer much, but it was a big loss for me, my family and the entire nation of Bangladesh! 

I grieved for days, not only for him but also for my grandmother as I knew her life was about to change. Surely, in less than a year, my grandmother had a big fall in the bathroom and broke her right arm, which made her partially disabled. 

This is not a sad story because Jubilee does not let her weakness define her. She still holds on to everything that makes her unique - music, books and her passion for life. She still delicately brushes her hair, carries the biggest smile and still loves to entertain. Honestly, she's too cool for us! 

Partially due to business with Better Day, I have been travelling to Bangladesh for the last 3 years so I can visit her and try to spend time with her. My mother, who resides in Halifax half the time and in Dhaka half the time for her. I will admit though, when I’m in Halifax I don't get a chance to call as often as I should to check up on her, however she is always in my mind.

To name my clothing collections is to carry a piece a her

Knowing that she is good with poetic words and literature, I held up my samples from this year in front of my grandmother and asked her what word came to mind. 

She saw the blue shirt dress and said “easy, this is Akashi colour”. The colour of the sky - calm, soothing and feels like summer - that name is perfect! 

I held up the blouse in grey green and asked “what about this”. She thought for a minute, and said that the blouse looks like it will be worn by me, and I am আদর; maya” meaning kindness and love. I think she was describing me, but also somehow described my inner feelings about why I create the clothes that I create (with kindness, thoughtfulness and integrity) 

I love to think that my grandmother’s touch will be in pieces that will be worn by others, tin a way they will carry her forward, make her essence live on.