AOD grads designs in the spotlight at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2021

• 41 Fashion Textile Design students and 22 Fashion Design Marketing graduates at Reveal Graduate Design showcase 2021
• Handpicked students were awarded scholarships

 By Safna Malik 

The young fashion undergrads of the Academy of Design (AOD) made their mark on the world of fashion at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFWSL) 2021 last week. A collection of designs to match each season – spring, summer, autumn and winter – were displayed by 63 undergrads.  

The event at AOD’s Colombo Innovation Tower was organised by AOD, Mercedes-Benz, DIMO, State Ministry of Regional Cooperation, Joint Apparel Association Forum and Brandix, with MAS and Hirdaramani, among other local partners. 

Parallel to MBFWSL 2021, the Reveal Graduate Fashion Exhibition 2021 was also hosted, under strict guidelines adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.

Students pursuing fashion textile design, fashion design marketing, visual communication, motion graphics, and interior design at AOD, showcased their creativity and skills. During the fashion show some of the lucky students were awarded with scholarships. 

Fashion Textile Design students and Fashion Design Marketing grads gave an impressive fashion show for three days in a row. Day 01 theme which was ‘New Local’ – Designers, showed creativity, crafting skills, and innovation through their signature designs this year in hopes to brand Sri Lankan style trends to the world, and to create opportunities beyond borders. Day 02 was ‘Emerging designers’; students showcased Sri Lanka’s emerging talent from local graduates to young designer brands. Day 03 theme was the ‘New Gen Stars’ show which was premiered by fashion and textile graduates from AOD.

Around 41 students from the Fashion and Textile Design class showcased their designs at the MBFWSL 2021 runway:

Akashya Perera – The designs and the fabrication were inspired by the traditional Korean style of clothing (Hanbok). Her collection was lively and spectators felt as if they were in the Joseon dynasty.

Chihiro Fernando – Gave the audience a nostalgic feeling through her women’s wear collection which was inspired by a combination of Western, Japanese, and Sri Lankan clothing styles of the 1960s. Peacock batik prints and Beeralu lace made a nice debut on the runway.

Dulmi Gamage – Her collection brings out the joyous colours of summer to the spotlight. Spring florals combined with silhouettes of 18th century outerwear evoke the forgotten fashion scenes from the past.

Erandi Chandrakumara – Linear patterns are used as the main fashion element. Through her designs, she wanted to express people and their feelings have to be enhanced when meeting in person after months of continuous lockdown.

Gimhani Parindya – Her collection revolves around the Regency Era. The concept was inspired by ‘The story of everything’ which was the reawakening of an enchantress Ethereal.

Heshani Yapa – Her designs are more centralised to showcase the significance of Kandy city. For that, she has used ancient artistic patterns and craftsmanship.

Hitheshi Peiris – She was inspired by the 1980s Tokyo Street style.

Imara Perera – Bright fun colours of fabric prints and cotton materials that goes by Corsets and shirt style are eye-catching.

Imesha Ishani – She got her inspiration for her collection from a famous Spanish-born designer Cristobal Balenciaga. Vintage botanical flowers on designs are soothing to see.

Kanishka Rodrigo – Light hues and earthy colours give a relaxed look to her collection. This set of the collection is especially for women who adore casual resort wears.

Kavindu Kanchana – His design mainly caters to men’s wear and his collection was inspired by military combat uniforms.

Kavindya Kodithuwakku – She was inspired by Kimono and Japanese-styled clothing.

Koshani Thilakshana – She got her inspiration from a famous book called ‘Loveena’. The designer has used batik and beeralu to enhance the style and vibe of the collection.

Lam Angela – Her collection mainly surrounds the Chinese cultural silhouettes.

Leeza Kalubowila – It’s a tailored women’s wear collection inspired by 1970s imperial Chinese fashion.

Melinde Jayarathne – Her designs speak about women’s equality to dress and do fashion. 

Michelle Fernando – Her collection was themed as ‘Warrior Nun’ dark black colours, gothic feel and touch were outstanding from other collections.

Minali Wanigasinghe – She was inspired by vintage Japanese samurai clothing and Zen philosophy.

Naatashar Jayaraj – Inspired by 1980s women’s fashion with a fusion of a light easy to wear collection crafted to feel the comfort.

Nathali Yahampath – Her cosy collection was designed to support sustainability and to reduce animal cruelty.

Nishaka Hettiarachchi – Casual menswear collection inspired by the imagery of hardworking men.

Pamoda Dayakumara – She was inspired by 1920s fashion and has used circular design principles to craft her collection.

Pooja Rodrigo – This collection was inspired by Edwardian era women’s wear.

Prashanthi Bandara – It is all about sustainable women’s wear collection.

Pubudi Malalanayake – It is a gender-neutral collection. Through her designs, she created nostalgic memories associated with the era of the 1980s.

Punthara Wijewickrama – This collection is called ‘Anti – Aunty Gaze’ it is a street wear collection.

Rameshi Rajasekara – Sustainable Autumn and Winter collection. The concept is based on ‘One should never forget its beginning’.

Raveesha Ranaweera – Inspiration for the collection comes from the gardens by Bay Singapore. It is a modern women’s wear collection.

Senaly Gamage – Her collection concept revolves around the lifespan of clothes and fabric waste.

Shanelle Rayner – The designs are inspired by the Greek lords and mythology.

Sudharika Gamage – Comfortable women’s wear collection for modern-day busy working women.

Suhini Dissanayake – Ready-to-wear collection was aimed at women who work from home through screens and in person. This collection is designed for the comfort of consumers. 

Talia McLeod – Her collection fuses the details of 1960s women’s wear. 

Upadya Premarathna – This tailored collection was inspired by 1930s minimalist women’s fashions. 

Uvini Yahampath – Her designs are created to spread positivity and the collection was inspired by 1950s and early ’60s women’s fashion.

Yasashi Pathirathna – It’s a lingerie collection that has been crafted using authentic beeralu lace. 

From the Fashion Design and Marketing class, 22 students participated to showcase their collection at the MBFWSL 2021 runway, namely Aaron Pathinather, Amenda Careem, Ashleen Adikari, Dinara Fernando, Dinithi Gamage, Dinuly Gamage, Erandhya Jayasinghe, Harinie Navaratne, Heshani Fernando, Humairah Yousuf, Jithmi Maligaspe, Kuluni Nisanka Arachchige, Lahiru Wickramasuriya, Malpini Sirivardhana, Nalinda Perera, Onali Silva, Sathindra Wijayapura, Sereta David, Sharannya Kotalawala, Shevinka Nagendra, Thimethma Algama, and Virasha Wickramasinghe. 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka can be viewed at www.mbfwsrilanka.com. 

 

–  Pix by Upul Abayasekara, Shehan Gunasekara and Ruwan Walpola