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abolok Sep / Oct 2026 — The New South Asian Aesthetic
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The New South Asian Aesthetic

Sep / Oct 2026

Fashion Forward · Dhaka's Fintech Revolution · The Unicorn Hunt

Vol. 3 · No. 5

Fashion
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The Drape, Reimagined
fashion

The Drape, Reimagined

A generation of Bangladeshi designers is fusing centuries-old jamdani craftsmanship with architectural draping techniques borrowed from the global runways. The result? Something wholly, breathtakingly new.

Nadia Islam8 min read
Kantha Couture on the World Stage
fashion

Kantha Couture on the World Stage

Once confined to rural workshops, kantha stitch is now appearing in London showrooms and Paris pop-ups. We meet the artisans and the entrepreneurs bridging both worlds.

Nadia Islam6 min read
Sustainable Luxury, Made in Bangladesh
fashion

Sustainable Luxury, Made in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter. Now, a cohort of homegrown brands is proving it can also lead in sustainable luxury.

Arif Chowdhury7 min read
Tech
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The Dhaka Fintech Revolution
tech

The Dhaka Fintech Revolution

With over 50 million bKash users and a wave of new apps targeting the unbanked, Bangladesh is quietly building one of the world's most innovative financial technology ecosystems.

Rafiq Hasan9 min read
AI in the Delta
tech

AI in the Delta

With rising sea levels threatening the Ganges Delta, Bangladeshi agritech startups are using AI and satellite imagery to help millions of farmers adapt, plan, and prosper.

Rafiq Hasan10 min read
Dhaka Levels Up
tech

Dhaka Levels Up

From mobile gaming to world-class esports tournaments, Bangladesh's gaming industry is growing at 40% annually — and attracting serious investment.

Arif Chowdhury6 min read
Business
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Beyond the Factory Floor
business

Beyond the Factory Floor

Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector is facing its most significant transformation since its founding. The brands that survive will be those that move up the value chain — fast.

Sultana Begum11 min read
The Unicorn Hunt
business

The Unicorn Hunt

With a young population, growing smartphone penetration, and a maturing venture capital ecosystem, Bangladesh's startup scene is poised for its breakout moment. But what will it take?

Sultana Begum8 min read
The Women Reshaping Bangladesh's Economy
business

The Women Reshaping Bangladesh's Economy

From microfinance to machine learning, Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs are driving economic growth at an unprecedented scale — and changing the face of business in the process.

Sultana Begum7 min read
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