Chandra Shekhar is one of the pathfinders in modern crafting and textile design in Bangladesh. Almost all the young leaders in contemporary designing arena are his disciples. The top­ notched fashion houses in Bangladesh have had his magic touch in their growth.

Starting his professional career with Aarong in 1980 spending around two decades, he worked for many local and overseas organisations as a freelance consultant. He has been involved in the Executive Committee of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh for last fifteen years. Now he is chairing the Council.

He is deeply engaged in developing more and more disciples and students. He professes in the Shanto- Mariam University of Creative Technology and North South University. In addition, he takes part in different seminars, symposia and workshops on design and handicrafts both at home and abroad. He was given Lifetime Achievement Award by Saptahik 2000 and Fortnightly Anyadin.

Md. Rafiqul Islam, the Vice-President of the current Executive Committee of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) has been volunteering with this network since 1999 at different positions like Member, Treasurer, President of the Executive Committee.

He has been the Head of Operations of Kumudini Handicrafts since May 2023 to till date. Before that he had been the Executive Director of FNB (The Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh), the prime national networking Organization of NGOs in Bangladesh since December 2017. He has extensive experience of working in social development and humanitarian organizations for more than four decades. In his long career, Mr. Rafiq spent 20 years in integrated development programs with BRAC – the largest NGO in the world, in various leadership and management positions, 17 years with Aarong – a social enterprise of BRAC, 2 years with Dhaka Ashania Mission as the Director at its fashion enterprise and 1 year at the fashion enterprise of Partex Star Group as CEO. Mr. Rafiq had honorary involvement with some other institutions such as Member of Executive Committee of Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB). Mr. Rafiq graduated from Dhaka University and obtained several professional degrees on management and enterprise development from home & abroad

Shahid Hussain Shamim spent his childhood in Rajshahi and Chittagong, surrounded by the scent of silkworm cocoons and coastal air. Learning handloom from an early age—his father was a director at EPSIC—he later pursued studies in Cost Management and Accounting to work closely with artisans. In 1989, he founded Prabartana, now an internationally recognized fair trade brand. Shamim has researched handloom traditions for over two decades, exploring the link between shuttle rhythm and fabric texture. He draws inspiration from the lives of weavers and travels across Bangladesh, showcasing regional crafts, food, and music. A former President of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, he remains committed to promoting indigenous craft clusters.

Farhana Sharmin Shuchi is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in media production, communications, and arts and crafts research. She began her career in the early 2000s as a program producer at RTV in Bangladesh and also worked as a freelance documentary filmmaker. She later served as Head of Foreign Content Licensing and International Relations at Duronto TV.

Currently, she is a consultant researcher at the Sonargaon Folk Art and Crafts Museum and is the Founder & CEO of the eco-friendly handicrafts boutique “KARUNIK”, which focuses on reviving traditional crafts and promoting environmental sustainability.

Shuchi is also involved in social work through the charity “Shoilan Prabeen Nibash”, under the Tajul Islam Kalyan Trust and serves as President of the July Online Activists Forum (JOAF). Additionally, she is a national-level air rifle shooter.

Rafikul Islam is a master woodcarver who began his craft journey in 1996 at the age of nine, learning from his father. With nearly three decades of experience, he currently serves as Assistant Producer at Aarong and has worked with institutions like the Bangladesh National Museum, Shilpakala Academy, Folk Art and Crafts Foundation, and SME Foundation. He is also the Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh National Crafts Council. A recipient of the Karu Gaurav Award (2016) from BSCIC, he has participated in craft fairs and workshops in China, Uzbekistan, India, and across Bangladesh. Holding a postgraduate degree in Management, he has trained over 510 emerging wood artisans, dedicating his life to preserving and transmitting the heritage of Bangladeshi woodcraft.

“Think Craft & Make Craft” is the streamlined feature of my life. I have been involved in handicrafts industry around two decades both as R&D personnel & entrepreneur.

It helped me to give a new shape on product development and design. In the course of time i learned to develop a sustainable policy to transform this tiny sector into a spacious one and allow enhance the productivity of the artisans by engaging them work in a hazard free environment to improve their standard of living. It gives me immense pleasure to represent my organization in a platform which is highly regarded for sharing expertise to become fair trade business enterprise.

An immediate past General Secretary and presently executive committee member of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB). Sk. Siafur Rahman is a versatile professional, is a senior journalist, fashion and lifestyle expert, and heritage textile specialist dedicated to preserving traditional crafts. Former Deputy Editor of Prothom Alo, he is now consultant for Haal Fashion, independent Fashion & Lifestyle web portal of Prothom ALo.  He brings deep insights into cultural narratives and sustainable fashion. With a strong background in PR and communications, he also serves as a trusted advisor and resource person for various creative initiatives. A passionate crafts activist, he champions artisanal communities and works to bridge the gap between heritage and contemporary design through thoughtful storytelling, strategic consultancy, and advocacy in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. He edited books at home and abroad. He also works with geographical Indications, Tangible and Intangible Cultural heritage.

Khalid Mahmood Khan is the co-founder of Kay Kraft, one of Bangladesh’s leading fashion and lifestyle brands. Since 1993, he has pioneered handloom-based fashion wear, turning a home-based boutique into a major SME. Kay Kraft blends traditional handloom artistry with innovative design, appealing primarily to urban youth and middle-class professionals.

Khalid played a vital role in discovering and utilizing untapped artisan skills and regional resources, thereby empowering small entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and weavers across Bangladesh. Under his leadership, Kay Kraft became a platform for grassroots entrepreneurship and employment.

He revolutionized the fashion industry by introducing collections based on seasons and national events, such as Boishakhi Ayojon, Ekushey Collection, Bijoy Utshob, and Shiit Utshob.

Khalid has significantly contributed to promoting handwoven textiles and organized exhibitions like Handloom Art of Bangladesh and Khadi Utshob. He is an Executive Committee member of National Craft Council Bangladesh and a founder of Deshidosh and Fashion Uddog.

Swapan K Das is a dedicated entrepreneur engaged in the handicraft manufacturing and export sector. With years of experience, he works closely with artisans and producer groups to create unique, high-quality handmade products. Passionate about ethical business practices, Swapan actively promotes fair trade principles, sustainable production, and community development. He is deeply involved in organizational management, focusing on product quality, capacity building, and international marketing. Swapan also plays a key role in policy development, ensuring compliance with labor laws and promoting workplace wellbeing. Known for his collaborative approach and strong communication skills, he strives to empower artisans and expand global market opportunities for handmade goods.

Mohammad Mainul Islam is a Textile and Fibre Artist, currently working as a Senior Designer at BRAC | Aarong and a Textile and Fashion Educator at Joyeeta Foundation and SME Foundation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is also an Executive Member of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh. He graduated in Textile and Fibre Studies from Beaconhouse National University under the prestigious SAF Fulbright Scholarship (2017) and later served as a Teaching Fellow and Research Associate. Mainul actively contributes as an Artist, Co-curator, and Display Artist in various exhibitions and creative projects. His work emphasizes sustainable design, artisan-led innovation, and skill development for small entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on preserving traditional craftsmanship and supporting sustainable livelihoods for artisan communities.

Faiza Ahmed, an artist, a sustainable Fashion activist, an interior Designer, a social worker , owner and creative head of Manas, owner and food visionary of সঞ্চয়িতা – Shanchayita , Outreach & Strategic Advisor of Vertical Innovations Limited.Executive member FDCB ( Fashion design council of Bangladesh), Executive member Of BFWE ( Bangladesh federation of woman entrepreneurs).

Farzana Yusuf is an impact strategist and researcher working at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and textile design. With a deep commitment to eco-cultural and human-centred solutions, she has developed sustainable models for handmade crafts at Parsons School of Design and conducted research on design practices with a focus on location, community, and culture. Farzana has taught at Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin, Parsons NY, and Shanto-Mariam University, Dhaka. She is the founder of Artisan Social, a platform that uplifts Bangladeshi craft traditions and supports artisan livelihoods. A member of the Executive Committee of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) and an advisor at Women Forward International (WFI) in Washington, DC, Farzana continues to advocate for sustainable, culturally rooted design practices.