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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, or MBFWSL, becomes the first to take on AOD’s ‘The New Local’ vision this December, as the global fashion event returns to the island powered by DIMO. MBFWSL 2021 aims to take Sri Lanka’s new design propositions to the view of the international fashion industry.
For several years, MBFWSL has remained an annual global event that takes Sri Lankan fashion beyond borders. Known for establishing bridges between local fashion talent and global platforms, MBFWSL has been a powerful starting point for many young designers including names like Amesh Wijesekara currently gaining international popularity. MBFWSL will be shifting its focus to this kind of young talent this year, embracing their promise, hope and drive to boldly pursue big opportunities in a new post-pandemic world.
“Entrepreneurship has always been a big part of MBFWSL but, this year it becomes a major focus embracing the amazing talent that Sri Lanka has to offer. We’re very excited to present ‘The New Local’ vision through this global event, and use this powerful platform to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s new approach to its exports,” said AOD Chairperson Linda Speldewinde who introduced the 2021 edition of the event to the public.
She mentioned how MBFWSL ties into a larger vision which identifies the significance of rethinking Sri Lanka’s export strategy to add more creative value to major exports and adapting to new markets with very new needs.
“We’re thinking about what new wearable markets need, how the fashion industry is responding and the new commitments we all have to make the world more sustainable. MBFWSL is where the world will see how young Sri Lankan fashion entrepreneurs and designers are ticking all the boxes, and have access to a sustainable, state-of-the-art apparel industry. We’re ready to refresh Sri Lanka’s biggest export in the global fashion eye with this event and its commercial impact,” she added.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka will take place on 10, 11 and 12 December at the Colombo Innovation Tower hosting three runway shows and an exhibition. The very first show, The New Local pays tribute to the event theme with a series of collections that relook at traditional craft with new eyes, this show is a curation that demonstrates how Sri Lankan fashion exports can be taken to new consumer niches beyond borders.
The two shows Emerging Designers and New Gen showcase the young talent that embodies a new Sri Lankan aesthetic and fashion philosophy that is sustainable and globally relevant; these two runways will feature young fashion and textile graduates from AOD, fashion entrepreneurs driving their own brands and local textile graduates. These three shows will be livestreamed on www.mbfwsrilanka.com.
The MBFWSL fashion exhibition, highlighting projects with outstanding creative and sustainable thinking in young Sri Lankan designers, will be open to the public under COVID-19 guidelines, at the Colombo Innovation Tower between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka is presented by AOD, powered by DIMO, with the support of Wijeya Newspapers, Kess, Kevin Murphy and Gelish by British Cosmetics.
Join Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2021 as it presents creatives and entrepreneurs who use design, creativity and innovation to celebrate home and create opportunities beyond borders. With the 2021 theme ‘The New Local’, MBFWSL is celebrating those reshaping the creative spaces with the right entrepreneurial attitudes and commitment to sustainability. Connect with MBFWSL to find out how to share your work and get featured on this international fashion platform. Email them on [email protected] or call on 0775727772.
