Bim Bissell, the mind who made FabIndia a household name, passes away at 93

Bimla “Bim” Bissell, the driving force behind FabIndia and wife of founder John Bissell, died on Thursday at the age of 93. Known for her vivacious personality and devotion to Indian crafts, she is survived by her son William and daughter Monson from the brand he helped shape, leaving behind a legacy that redefined Indian fashion and craftsmanship.

Mourning his death, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wrote in X: “Bim Bissell, the feisty, tireless, colorful and intelligent soul who did most to make FabIndia one of India’s most iconic brands, is no more. His work empowered artisans and made Indian handlooms gorgeous. I will miss his commanding presence, especially his vibrancy.” At Christmas parties.”

Born Bimla Nanda, of Punjabi origin, she married John Bissell, an American who founded FabIndia in 1960. Bimla initially worked as a social secretary to US ambassadors in Delhi, including John Kenneth Galbraith, President Kennedy’s envoy to India turned around when he joined John in building FabIndia into an iconic Indian brand.

Bhim’s contributions were instrumental to FabIndia’s promotion of handloom sarees and traditional silver jewellery, creating a wide network of artisans. He also expanded the brand product line to include furnishings, furniture and crafts, showcasing India’s cultural heritage through a contemporary lens.

Equally notable was his passion for education. In the 1960s, he ran the Playhouse School in Delhi’s Tughlaq Road. Decades later, in 2021, he co-founded Playhouse Sunder Nursery School, underscoring his lifelong commitment to children’s education.

Known for her distinctive style, Bhim was often seen in hand-woven sarees adorned with silver bangles in her signature look.Even in her later years, she remained a dynamic figure in Delhi’s cultural and social circles.