Best of Sri Lankan apparel at SLABA Runway 2018 Royal

The Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) will once again stage SLABA Runway 2018, featuring the cream of Sri Lanka’s apparel brands that will showcase their designs on 11 September at a glitzy ramp extravaganza.

SLABA Runway 2018’ will be spearheaded by a dynamic committee, headed by SLABA President Azam Habib, SLABA Runway 2018 Organising Committee Chairman Tania Abeysundara, and SLABA Treasurer Shakir Hafiz, ably assisted by the rest of the SLABA membership. 

The SLABA membership, which has over 60 members representing the cream of local fashion, including Reborn, EKKO, Emerald, Signature, Manzari , Trendy, Rough, Arista , LiCC Jeans, Rainco, JEZZA, Avirate, GFlock, Dmaxx, Aurora, Anationz, Perri Allen , Vantage , Uptown Kandy, Andre, and many others, will showcase their brands which have brought in valuable foreign exchange to the country whilst entrenching Sri Lanka in the minds of global apparel buyers as a destination renowned for the production of quality apparel. 

“Local apparel brands contribute in excess of $ 1 billion to the economy and our products can hold their own with any international brand,” SLABA President Azam Habib said.

“SLABA represents a multitude of Sri Lankan apparel brands that contribute to the country and economy as a whole.  The brainchild of Deshamanya  A.Y.S. Gnanam, today the retail clothing industry in Sri Lanka is estimated at $ 2 billion and above, with 50% of the market share being contributed by apparels made in Sri Lanka. It is our aim to establish an annual event where both industry and non-industry high net worth individuals could interact, exchange ideas and forge links for the overall betterment of not just the apparel industry but the economy of the country.”

As a forum, SLABA brings together different product portfolios of branded Sri Lankan apparel.  SLABA operates as a facilitator in developing the apparel brands segment in Sri Lanka and the membership body. It has a 60 plus active member representation, and there are hundreds of other companies in the island producing for the domestic market.

SLABA works together closely with the Government and non-government organisations, such as the Finance Ministry, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, EDB, Chamber of Commerce, and JAFF, to develop the industry as well as explore and access new markets .“ Sri Lankan brands are doing a phenomenal job, and goods produced here are of excellent design and quality. It is deemed that, if Sri Lankan brands are given the right support and platform to perform locally, they can go on to become global brands,” SLABA Treasurer Shakir Hafiz said.

SLABA Runway 2018 Organising Committee Chairman Tania Abeysundara said that SLABA Runway 2018 will showcase the cream of Sri Lanka’s apparel brands, with over 100 outfits, representing 12 brands on the ramp. Choreographed by Brian Kerkoven and produced by Anusha David of Headlines PR, it is SLABA’s intention to brand Sri Lanka as an apparel destination.  

“Today, we are fast becoming a world-class apparel manufacturing hub. The growth of the local

Apparel export industry has reaped dividends for the Sri Lankan economy. Some of our members, such as amanté, Avirate, Emerald, Hameedia and Reborn, have made strides in international markets bringing in valuable foreign exchange and recognition for local apparel brands, setting standards and establishing manufacturing skills that have undoubtedly benefitted the economy”, said Tania.