Sri Lanka -- Colombo Fashion Week, Sri Lanka’s annual fashion event gave ample proof of the direction its taking to become one of region’s important fashion theatre, by showcasing strong collections from emerging Sri Lankan designers.

Colombo Fashion week which started in 2003 with the key objective of uplifting the Sri Lankan fashion design industry through interaction, exposure and guidance to Sri Lankan designers, delivered on its annual objectives which were set as part of a five year plan. More than that what became evident in this year’s edition of CFW was the collaborative spirit of South Asian designers, coming together in a country which is fighting for peace and peaceful coexistence.

This year there were quite a few ‘firsts’ starting from a newly created retail network for fashion consumers, a tie-up with an important fashion week in Dubai, setting up of a design studio to incubate design talent in Sri Lanka, launched two new Sri Lankan labels, created two important South Asian labels with Sri Lankan collaboration. Three new Sri lankan designers.

“We know where we are going and how to get there, so right now we are on cruise control inspite of the bumpy ride that the environment throws at us. This year the plan was to start a Sri Lankan retail project, which we started, tie-up with another fashion week to expose our designers overseas, which we have done,. Our design lab-Stringhopper design studio has launched two Sri lankan labels and collaborated on Shobhaa De’s new label and Bibi Russell new label, All in all we are happy with the progress this year and now we look to 2010” Says an upbeat Ajai V Singh, Founder and Chief Organiser of Colombo Fashion Week.

The neglected Sri Lankan craft of Batik, Beerula lace work and Dumbura weaving, were supported and the designers were encouraged to use it in their collections. This support will encourage and provide livelihoods to numerous crafts villages who have been progressively isolated.

This year there were 14 Sri Lankan collections that were shown. The strongest among the lot was KT by Kanchana, Sarani, Middle Finger by Fahad, Arugam Bay beachwear, Spiritual by Shobhaa De, Pure By Bibi Russell , Dharshi Keertisena and LICC jeans. There were 10 collection between important designers from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Dubai. The key participating designers were Raghavendra Rathore, Bibi Russell, Rizwan Beyg, Deepak Perwani, Sanchita, Manoviraj Khosla, Tahera, and Shobha De.

In these difficult times corporate sponsorships play an important role, hence HSBC, Sri Lanka Tourist Promotion Board, Taj Samudra and Sri lankan Airlines played a very important role of making this event possible. They were not merely sponsors but partners who showed tremendous energy and spirit in making the event taste success.
 
Colombo Fashion Week