Bangladesh is now developing its own fashion labels. Homegrown apparel brand Rise has so far opened four stores. It offers a mix of traditional Punjabi styles and modern street wear. The first store opened a year and a half ago. Similarly, Dapper Bespoke operates two stores in Dhaka and sells three-piece suits and other formals for men.

These labels took shape as the domestic market relied on foreign labels completely. They have stepped into retail by doing everything on their own-- choosing materials, designing, branding and making production decisions. Apparel makes up more than 80 per cent of Bangladesh's total exports -- with the value of exports having doubled in the past eight years -- and the sector is now beginning to cater to the tastes of domestic consumers.

Bangladesh can chalk up this turn of fortunes to stable its economic growth. The country’s gross domestic product has been growing. In the 12 months through June, it grew at a 7.86 per cent. Per capita GDP doubles every seven to eight years. The country is the world’s second biggest apparel exporter.