Tania Aktar is a visionary and a leading example among Bangladeshi women professionals.
She has worked with both local and international companies, inspired by the people around her to contribute meaningfully to the textile and apparel industry. Throughout her career, she has consistently embraced new challenges. She is currently serving as the Chief Merchandising Manager (Country Head) at Gisela BD Liaison Office—a leading Spanish fashion brand specializing in intimate apparel.
Recently, she shared her journey and vision with Textile Focus.
Read the full conversation below:
Textile Focus: Could you please share your professional journey?
Tania Aktar: I am a professional in the RMG sector and fashion marketing industry. I have steadily built a career rooted in operational excellence, market insight, and a vision for sustainable innovation. I began my professional journey in 2011 after graduating with a B.Sc. in Textile Engineering from City University. I started my career at IDS Group in the Merchandising Department as an Assistant Merchandiser. From 2014 to 2015, I worked at Fashion Power Bangladesh (now part of Fashion Power Group) in the Merchandising and Marketing Department as a Merchandiser. Between 2015 and 2017, I worked at an Indian buying house, Cinderella Fashion, as a Senior Merchandiser. In 2017, I returned to Fashion Power Group as a Senior Merchandiser and was promoted to Team Leader, a role I held from 2021 to 2024. Since May 2024, I have been working at Gisela BD Liaison Office as the Country Head.
Textile Focus: As a Country Manager of a leading apparel sourcing company, what key products are sourced from Bangladesh?
Tania Aktar: Bangladesh is a powerhouse in global garment manufacturing. The country’s strength lies in its ability to deliver high-quality products at scale. At Gisela BD, our key sourcing categories from Bangladesh include: lingerie, swimwear, pyjamas, loungewear, sweaters, dresses, skirts, sweaters (repeated), and natural fibre ladies’ bags.
Textile Focus: How do you see the Bangladesh market for Gisela?
Tania Aktar: As a leading global lingerie buyer, Gisela is introducing advanced fitting techniques, modern silhouettes, and trend-forward designs that are reshaping the intimate wear landscape. Bangladesh’s lingerie market is gaining remarkable traction, and Gisela is at the heart of this transformation. By integrating advanced fitting technologies and embracing global design sensibilities, the local industry is now positioned to diversify its product portfolio, attract premium buyers, and establish itself as a competitive player in the global lingerie supply chain.
Textile Focus: What is your future plan for the Bangladesh market?
Tania Aktar: In today’s hyper-competitive global market, countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and China have built dominant positions through production strength and product variety. Bangladesh now stands poised to rise beyond its current excellence and lead through purposeful diversification. To all visionary garment owners and industry pioneers, we extend a bold invitation: Let us invest in the future by expanding beyond traditional apparel categories. Now is the time to explore lingerie, activewear, and swimwear—high-value segments with global demand; tech-integrated fashion and performance wear; and sustainable, circular textiles that meet the world’s next-generation standards. By building design capabilities, embracing innovation, and training our workforce for precision and creativity, strengthening product and development, Bangladesh can transform from the world’s workroom into its wardrobe architect. This isn’t just about product lines, it’s about reshaping perception, elevating value, and ensuring that Bangladesh becomes unstoppable.
When we lead in quality, design, and category depth, no one can outpace us. Let’s diversify. Let’s rise. Let’s make Bangladesh truly invincible. Let’s unleash Bangladesh’s soft power to position the country not only as a supplier, but as a style-maker!
