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Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held as the pinnacle event of the Mercedes-Benz runways at Sri Lanka Design Festival. As an international event that celebrates the ground-breaking capabilities of the local fashion manufacturing industry and retail sector, it attracted a large number of applications this year. The finalists for this coveted award were announced at a glamorous event recently held at the DIMO800 Mercedes-Benz centre. Selected by a panel of international judges, the finalists are expected to wow the audiences at the grand finalé held this November.
The judging panel of this prestigious showcase of Sri Lankan fashion consisted of three international experts; Jane Rapley OBE, Prof. Emeritus Central Saint Martin’s UK, Peter Ingwersen – Former Levis Europe Brand Director and Creative Director for Day Birger et Mikkelsen and Stuart MacLeod, founder of British fashion label Mr&MrsMacLeod. The judges stated that they searched for outstanding talent that could express remarkable creativity within the parameters of modern simplicity.
They favoured innovation and sustainability in the choice of material and manufacturing processes and were on the lookout for fashion talent that was uniquely Sri Lankan yet, very contemporary. The finalists were selected under ten categories that scouted for design talent from Sri Lanka’s apparel manufacturing industry as well as emerging talent from the fashion retail sector.
The finalists from individual categories were Emerging Designer: Rukshika Fernando Seneviratne/Rum Punch, Dinushi Pamunuwa/Pras & Danties, Wathmi Jayalath, Michelle Jayatunga, Janaka Ullandupitiya/Kadappuli Clothing, Nadhia Iqbal/Nadia Iqbal Design Studio, Tarja De Silva/Tarja; Sustainable Fashion Kanchana Fernando/Sanathana Batik Gallery, Nilakshi Gamage, Prabath Samarasooriya/Prabath, Hasini Gunasekera; Student/Graduate/Industry Collaboration: Subhani Piyaratne with MAS Active Linea Intimo, Ganisha de Silva with Orient Design, Amesh Wijesekera with Colourzone; and Individual Own Brand: Shayani Alwis/Shay International, Shamendra Somathilaka/Kiddies & Toys International and Dinushka Iddawela/Clubhouse Vivaldi.
The finalists of the industry categories were Industry Young Blood: Alvina Pasangha for NorLanka Manufacturing, Melanie Gray for Brandix Apparel Solutions, Maria Kumaraperuma for Brandix Apparel Solutions; Design & Detail Excellence in Casualwear:, Dynawash Ltd., Norlanka MFG Colombo, Orient Design for Hayleys Knitting, Melbourne Textile; Design & Technical Excellence in Constructed Apparel: MAS Active Linea Intimo, MAS Active Trading, Orient Design (Fiero Racing Gear), MAS Intimates; Specialist Products & Accessories: D. Samsons & Sons, Orient Design for Innovative Knit, Waves (DSI); Industry Own Brand: Avirate, EKKO, Kelly Felder; Gamechanger through Innovation: Orient Design, MAS Active Linea Intimo, Coats Thread and Star Garments.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards is powered by DIMO and official print media, Wijeya newspapers’ Daily FT, Daily Mirror and Sunday Times. The grand finalé of Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards will be held on 28 November and the tickets for the glamorous runway and awards show will be available with the Sri Lanka Design Festival Secretariat at 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4. For more information call 0115867772.
