Jamdani Journeys: Weaving Identity Across Borders
As part of South Asian Heritage Month, this special talk will explore the movement of muslin, including Jamdani, around the world
Hosted at the beautiful RSA House, immerse yourself in the world of Jamdani as we delve into its history, techniques, and the artisans behind these exquisite creations. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just curious to learn more, this event promises to be a colorful tapestry of discovery and inspiration. Hosted by Poppy Jaman OBE.
Join us as we explore the legacy of a cloth that transformed global tastes in luxury, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.
Step into the story of Dhaka muslin—an ethereal textile spun from riverine cotton and masterfully woven by Bengal’s artisans. Hailed as “woven air,” it crossed oceans to transform European fashion, linking continents through luxury, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange. Drawing on insights from Bringing Jamdani to England, this talk reveals how Jamdani embodies cultural memory, pride, and generational knowledge—“Jamdani is our heritage.”
Biographies:
Sonia Ashmore has taught and published widely on topics concerned with design and the decorative arts, particularly in relation to India and Japan. At the Victoria & Albert Museum London, she investigated and helped to catalogue the museum’s vast collections of South Asian textiles, which include superb examples of muslin and jamdani. Her book on Muslin (V&A Publications, 2012) was the first publication to examine the global history of muslin and showcase the V&A’s collections. She is a founder Trustee of Muslin Trust and is currently working on a project about the textiles of wider Bengal.
Rifat Wahhab: Rifat Wahhab is the initiator of Muslin Trust and was the Founding Chair from 2013-2022, she is now a Trustee of Muslin Trust. Rifat was born in Bangladesh and came to England in 1964. She has a degree in Librarianship, two postgraduate degrees in Women’s Studies and Management Studies and Masters in Management Practice. Rifat has spent her career in the public and voluntary sectors. She has also had an active in the following charities: Chair of Abbey Community Centre (Westminster) for almost four years; and Company Secretary for the Consortium of Bengali Associations.
Jamdani Journeys at the RSA. Photograph of historic Jamdani from the V&A East Storehouse archives. Photographer: Saif Osmani, 2025.
Muslin Trust 