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Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Monday, 22 October 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka’s long established apparel manufacturing industry is currently a multi-billion dollar industry, bringing in the highest export revenues for the nation. The future of this lucrative industry, which is already backed with state-of-the-art technology and pioneering ethical brand philosophies, lies in an altogether new sector – this is design.
With fashion buyers looking for turnkey solution providers, manufacturers with in-house design departments will be the biggest demand in the years to come. Marking this crucial coalition between design and manufacturing and local apparel industry’s transformation into a knowledge based fashion industry, Sri Lanka Design Festival has invited Michelle Mone, the lingerie design queen of Britain, to the island this November.
Michelle Mone is the co-owner of MJM International and creator of Ultimo, UK’s leading designer lingerie brand. Listed as one of the top three female entrepreneurs in the UK and recognised by the Queen with an OBE honour for her contribution to the lingerie industry, Michelle has built a hugely successful career on an incredibly simple concept: giving today’s women what they want.
Michelle met Linda Speldewinde – founder of Sri Lanka Design Festival – at the international launch for the event in London in July 2012, and was firm supporter of SLDF since then. “Michelle is a world famous personality associated with high quality lingerie with cutting edge design.
“With her, we hope to further establish our apparel industry’s (where lingerie pays a huge part) association with design to the world. Having her here, seeing our design potential, technology and ethical practices at SLDF also means, we have a world-reputed ambassador of our apparel excellence,” said Speldewinde.
SLDF’s apparel agenda will unfold with a spectacular fashion show, the prestigious ‘South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum,’ an insightful exhibition, B2B meetings and more.
SLDF was founded by Sri Lanka’s international design campus – AOD (www.aod.lk) and is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, EDB and JAAF as the key stakeholders, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau – tourism partner, SriLankan Airlines – official airline and Mount Lavinia Hotel – official host.
MAS is the main sponsor of Sri Lanka fashion and apparel awards, TradeCard – official software partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – official freight and fashion logistics, Textured Jersey – official fabric partner, Coats Thread – official thread partner and PrintCare – official printer.
British Council and Goethe Institut are also supporting SLDF as knowledge partner and international program partner while WGSN and JustStyle are promoting the festival internationally as the international media partners. SocialMidea is the official social media partner and Cheryl Gooneratne is the official hair and makeup partner for the festival.
For reserving tickets, registrations for forums, scheduling B2B meetings and more information, reach Sri Lanka Design Festival through its official website www.srilankadesignfestival.com or call 11 5867772/3 or visit the festival secretariat at 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4.
