Strong showing by Sri Lankan designers at HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Resort Season 2016

Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) recently concluded its fourth edition of the Resort Show, where 13 Sri Lankan designers showcased beautiful collections that are more defined towards resortwear. CFW Resort is the third and final season of the annual CFW calendar, with Spring/Summer and Swim taking place in the months of February-March and July-August, respectively. This has made it imperative for Sri Lankan designers to create collections that are season-specific and distinctive.

Consistent with its objective of uplifting the Sri Lankan fashion industry, CFW has been able to expand the body of work of Sri Lankan designers by providing them the most important fashion platform to produce and showcase three collections, which are then also available for retail after the shows. HSBC CFW Resort 2016 took place from 1 to 3 October, at the Jetwing Lighthouse and Moon Bastion, against the backdrop of the iconic Galle Fort.

“It was very encouraging to see the growth and development that our Sri Lankan designers have undergone in just a year. It was important to note that their body of work now incorporates three different seasons, so their work is becoming more defined. This is a good step in the right direction to make an impact in international markets and the world of fashion at large. In addition, Galle Fort served as the ideal location and helped create a great fashion and tourism story for Sri Lanka. Our next stop is the upcoming Spring/Summer season which will take place early next year,” said Ajai V. Singh, Founder and President of CFW.

The Sri Lankan designers who showcased their work at CFW Resort 2016 were; Yasisurie, The Old Railway, CHARINI, U by Upeksha Hager, Conscience, INDI, Ari’el, Ramona Oshini, KOCA by RN, Hameedia, Stefel by Peronie, KASUN and G by Gihan Ediriweera. Over Day Two and Day Three (2 and 3 October), each designer successfully showcased strong, standout collections that were carefully conceptualized and drawn from various inspirations, from architecture to reef fish to children’s art to the 1960s hippie subculture. Each collection also showcased the designer’s’ skills for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design thinking, with batik, tie-dye and handloom fabrics used to create stylish, vacation-friendly resort and destination wear. 

On Day One (1 October), CFW Resort 2016 featured the collections of 10 emerging Sri Lankan designers, who were handpicked as part of an initiative to nurture the next generation of Sri Lankan designers. Each selected emerging designer worked closely with the CFW Team through an extensive mentoring and training process, from conceptualisation to production of a runway and retail-ready collection. The Emerging Designer Showcase was an opportunity for a young and talented crop of fashion designers to be seen and appreciated by influential media and buyers.

In its effort to showcase the Galle Fort as a tourist hotspot, CFW introduced its Fashion+Food series to the fort, with popular dining establishments offering special menus for breakfast, lunch or dinner from 29 September to 4 October. Two new segments were also introduced for the first time this season. CFW Frame in association with ARTRA, which presented two art exhibitions, ‘Cityscapes and Forts’ by Branka Ridiki, and ‘Black and White Portraits’ by Dominic Sansoni, on 2 and 3 October at the Villa Landesi by Jetwing, Galle Fort. CFW Retail Walk featured select stores within the fort that offered special discounts and promotions during the week of the shows. 

Another highlight during the CFW Resort 2016 was the CFW Knowledge Workshop, ‘Phantasmagoria’, presented by iconic celebrity fashion photographer, Jatin Kampani. An impressive turnout of photography enthusiasts of all ages made their way to the Jetwing Lighthouse on 2 October, where Kampani showcased his extraordinary portfolio of work and conducted an engaging workshop on fashion photography.

CFW Resort was enriched by its partnerships with Official Title Partner, HSBC; Official Host Partner, Jetwing Hotels; Official Automobile Partner, Land Rover; Unilever (Vaseline); Fashion Eyewear Partner, Vision Care; Wineworld; OLU Tropical Water; Hameedia; Official Hair and Makeup Partner, Ramani Fernando Salons; and Official PR Partner, Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide – who share and extend their support towards the vision and aspirations of CFW.

CFW is one of four main Fashion Weeks in Asia that are over ten years old and, as a developmental project, is constantly creating innovative runway and retail opportunities for Sri Lankan designers to gain exposure and breakthrough into the global fashion arena. Continuing to inspire growth within the Sri Lankan fashion industry, CFW has propelled the careers of some of Sri Lanka’s most successful fashion designers. It is considered the most recognized fashion platform in Sri Lanka and one of the most respected in the region.

For more information on CFW Resort 2016, visit the official Colombo Fashion Week website (www.colombofashionweek.com). For photos, videos and exclusive behind-the-scene coverage, follow CFW on Facebook (www.facebook.com/colombofashionweek), Twitter (@colombofw) and Instagram (@colombofw).