Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
FT
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday, 25 November 2014 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Coats, a global business at home in more than 70 countries, works closely with local communities and cultures in domestic markets all over the world. In Sri Lanka, Coats is as much a part of the island’s small sewing operations and day-to-day thread needs of local people as it is of the multi-billion dollar apparel industry. A little known fact is that Coats has extended its support to the development of the low-tech SME sector of handloom textiles.
The small village of Divulapitiya on the outskirts of Gampaha is home to a unique handloom cottage industry led by a group of talented artisans. They have pioneered the use of common machine thread for handloom weaving, instead of the usual thick cotton yarn. This has given rise to a new breed of hand-woven textiles that are finer in texture and lighter in weight. In 2011, Coats joined with AOD international design campus on its ‘Design for Sustainable Development (DFSD)’ initiative which empowers traditional artisans with contemporary designs, to help develop and grow the Divulapitiya handloom industry.
Coats has a close relationship with the community, and is the official thread provider to the artisans, giving them access to the company’s extensive range of thread colours and shades. This joint venture with AOD/DFSD also now receives government support through the Ministry of Economic Development’s ‘Liya Abhiman’ project that empowers small-scale female entrepreneurship.
This is a unique relationship between a large international brand and a small artisan community in Sri Lanka. Coats is a firm supporter of strengthening smaller businesses, parallel with its relationships at global levels in industries like apparel. AOD’s efforts to infuse design into traditional handloom weaving, has enabled Coats to start working with emerging fashion entrepreneurs like Nithya to use recycled and speciality threads to create cutting-edge fashion with local handlooms in Divulapitiya.
Coats Lanka Ltd Managing Director Douglas Aceiro said: “As a global leader in supplying the fashion industry, we know the value of design and innovation. Across our operational foot print, we continue to look for opportunities to merge our thread technology with design and fashion. With the help of young AOD fashion graduates like Nithya we have been able to connect our products with the ancient technique of Sri Lankan handloom weaving. Last year, together with Nithya, we created a collection of glow-in-the-dark handlooms which really shook the local fashion scene and won much international praise at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2013. The recognition for this effort is heartening and we will continue to support this initiative producing unique creations in Sri Lanka using our products.”
Coats’ commitment to technology and innovation is demonstrated by Coats Colour Express winning ‘Game Changer Through Innovation Award’ at the inaugural Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards 2013.
Globally, Coats invests heavily in research, development and product innovation and also supports sharing knowledge and creative education. Coats Sri Lanka reflects this vision by sharing its capabilities and strengths with the developing SME sector in Sri Lanka. By working hand in hand with the young design talent of AOD, Sri Lanka Design Festival and the Ministry of Economic Development’s ‘Liya Abhiman’ project, Coats is supporting a constructive public-private partnership model that also sets an example for other companies to adopt a sustainable CR strategy that benefits local people, business partners and community groups.
Coats is proud to provide specialty yarn of varying colours, texture and thickness to Divulapitiya artisans. Together with AOD’s DFSD design team everyone works together to produce brand new collections of fashion, textiles, wraps and resort wear using Coats thread. These fantastic collections will be showcased at the Sri Lanka Design Festival’s 2014 fashion edition this December.
Coats is the official Thread & Zip partner for Sri Lanka Design Festival 2014 held between 5 to 7 December at SLECC, Colombo.
