Photo: Rickshaw driver after the rains in Dhaka, Bangladesh

As one of the poorest countries in South Asia, with few resources and high population density coupled with major annual flooding, Bangladesh is a country that easily evokes compassion on a first visit.

As one of the densest countries on earth (150 million people living in a space the size of Ohio), it also suffers from limited natural resources, marginal GDP and major flooding at least once per year. Despite these challenges, (or perhaps because of them), Bangladesh happens to be one of the most green countries when it come to recycling. In fact, Bangladesh has banned plastic bags – recognizing early on the damaging impact the bags have on the planet and their inability to degrade rapidly.

Working with many of the Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and non-profits in the country, I continually gained inspiration by observing the extremely hardworking, committed people devoting their lives to poverty alleviation, improved health and progress for the country.

Over the years, I spent months there and grew very fond of the place and people.

When I began thinking about starting the clothing company and what I should name it, jute came to mind, due to its all-natural characteristics and durability as well as its easy of growth in Bangladesh (not to mention China, Myanmar, Burma and other places). Jackfruit as well, prolifically grown in the country, represents a unique, indigenous aspect of Asia which is appealing, tasty and also seasonal—much like clothing collections. Jackfruit then, represents the constantly changing nature of fashion, aligned with the seasons….keeping us fresh and vibrant.

Rickshaws are still a common mode of transportation in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. On my last trip there, the streets flooded almost every day, but luckily the guest house I stayed in was in a higher elevated part of town. Here is a photo I took early morning of a typical rickshaw driver getting ready to drive morning commuters to work.

Flooding affects everywhere in town, often making road passage by car difficult in the rainy season as well as construction projects come to a halt. In this photo, a flooded street is lined with beams for a new building made out of local wood.