Bidora: Turning Rajshahi Silk Scraps into One-of-a-Kind Stoles

This post is based on a Facebook write-up by Nasrin J. Rani, published on 10 November 2026. Read her full original post here.

A brand built on silk and second chances

Bidora Bags and Handicrafts is a sustainable, upcycled fashion and handicraft brand from Bangladesh. It uses traditional Rajshahi silk to make stylish handbags and stoles. The work is done by rural women artisans, so each purchase supports both greener fashion and women’s empowerment.

The woman behind it

Bidora’s founder and CEO is Sohali Sajia Mithila. She describes the brand as a social business rather than a purely commercial one. She is one of Bangladesh’s early voices for sustainable, zero-waste fashion. She gives marginalised rural women fair pay and steady work, using skills they already have. Under her leadership, Bidora has represented Bangladesh at international fairs, including the China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Who buys a Bidora stole?

According to Nasrin’s post, the buyers fall into four groups:

• Working women and corporate professionals who want a polished, fusion touch for everyday office or formal wear.
• Festival lovers who want something traditional but distinctive for Eid, Puja, or Pohela Boishakh.
• Eco- and socially conscious shoppers who prefer upcycled, environmentally friendly products over synthetic fabrics.
• Bangladeshis abroad and foreign visitors, drawn to Rajshahi silk and kantha stitching, who also buy the stoles as gifts.

Why people choose it

• No two are alike. Each stole is patchworked from leftover silk pieces, so every buyer owns a one-of-a-kind piece.
• Heritage meets modern style. Rural women hand-stitch kantha work and tassels onto genuine Rajshahi silk.
• Impact you can feel good about. Buying one helps cut fashion waste, and part of the income supports artisans’ fair wages and empowerment.

What customers say

Nasrin reports that Bidora has earned about 98% customer recommendation on Facebook and its official platform. Three themes come up repeatedly:

• The design. Buyers love the colour combinations and patchwork, and say a stole can transform a plain kurti or a Western top.
• The comfort. Because it is real Rajshahi silk, the stole is light and gentle on the skin.
• The pride. The “Made in Bangladesh” tag and the zero-waste story give customers a sense of pride.

What’s next

Nasrin plans to invite Sajia to her interview series on women entrepreneurs in 2027. Watch this space for that conversation.

Originally shared by Nasrin J. Rani on Facebook, 10 November 2026. Read the full post.