When designer Shahrukh Amin recently styled Karim for a photoshoot, the result was more than a showcase of clothing. It became a reflection of the experiences, influences, and values that have shaped her life.

A style built on movement

Karim’s approach to fashion was influenced less by trends and more by the practical demands of her career.

For years, she balanced journalism and music simultaneously. Reporting assignments took her across Bangladesh, from city streets to remote districts. Performances required frequent travel and long hours.

“Can I do that in heels? No,” she says with a laugh.

Comfort quickly became essential. Sports shoes, cotton fabrics, loose silhouettes, jeans, and scarves became staples of her wardrobe.

“My usual clothing is a cotton kurti, jeans, and a scarf,” she says.

Over time, practicality evolved into a personal aesthetic. Rather than dressing for attention, she dressed for movement.

When fashion meets personality

That is precisely what made her collaboration with Shahrukh Amin so successful.

According to Karim, the designer understood her personality almost immediately. “He knows I’m not a bling person,” she says.

Instead of heavily embellished garments, Amin chose pieces that reflected her preference for simplicity and comfort. Among them was a green saree with minimal detailing and another featuring floral prints, a pattern Karim particularly enjoys.

More importantly, Amin considered her body type.

“He kept in mind that I am well-built,” she says.

For Karim, this attention mattered because many women struggle to find clothing that is both fashionable and accommodating. She appreciated that the designs embraced rather than concealed her frame.

“I felt beautiful in those clothes,” she says.

Beyond body positivity

Body positivity is a subject Karim approaches with characteristic nuance.

“I think we should draw a line between body positivity and obesity,” she says.

Having dealt with health concerns herself, including high blood pressure, she believes self-acceptance and health should go hand in hand. “You should promote body positivity only when you not only feel happy in your skin but also feel healthy in your skin.”

At the same time, she rejects the idea that everyone should aspire to the same body shape.

“Even if I lose a lot of weight, I am always going to be well-built,” she elaborates.

It is a statement that feels larger than fashion. Like much of Karim’s outlook, it is rooted in accepting reality rather than chasing impossible ideals.

Karim’s ensemble has ultimately highlighted something deeper. They reflected a woman shaped by community, culture, work, and experience — someone who understands that style is most meaningful when it grows naturally from the life being lived inside it.

By Ayman Anika

Photo: Adnan Rahman

In frame: Elita Karim

Styling: Sonia Yeasmin Isha

Wardrobe: Shahrukh Amin

Makeup & Hair: Sumon Rahat

Set: Eskay Décor by Saimul Karim