Sri Lanka Design Festival 2024: Showcase of creativity and culture at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams

• Highlighting Sri Lanka as a focal point for South Asian design, the partnership between Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams as official host and SLDF establishes Colombo as the new nucleus of the subcontinent’s vibrant creative ecosystem
• This collaboration positions the city as a dynamic hub where creativity and commerce converge, inviting businesses to engage with the city’s transformation and leverage the dynamic energy of innovation and cultural expression that defines the new Colombo
• SLDF and MBFWSL will be held at Cinnamon Life City of Dreams, 7 to 10 November with an immersive public program including over 50 events packed with knowledge, insights, and inspiration for the general public and business community alike

In a partnership grounded in creativity, commerce, and culture, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams and the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) are set to redefine Colombo’s identity as an influential creative and business hub. This collaboration brings fresh energy to Sri Lanka’s creative industries, cultivating a vibrant, globally engaged ecosystem of innovators, manufacturers, thinkers, academics, entrepreneurs, and designers that bolsters local talent while elevating Colombo’s global reputation.

As Colombo redefines its urban landscape, Cinnamon Life City of Dreams stands at the forefront, merging culture, commerce, and innovation to shape a dynamic new chapter for Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. This year, the partnership between Cinnamon Life and the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) underscores the city’s expanding cultural identity and commercial allure, affirming Colombo’s position as an emerging hub for creativity in South Asia. More than a venue, Cinnamon Life provides a seamless integration of luxury and culture, inviting local and global audiences to engage with Colombo as a nexus of art, creativity, and commerce.

Cinnamon Life Director of Marketing Radiesha Daluwatte emphasises the partnership’s ambition: “This isn’t just another venue hosting SLDF. It’s a stage where local talent connects with global leaders, sparking collaborations that foster growth and innovation. SLDF allows us to celebrate Sri Lanka’s creative potential and show the world that Colombo isn’t just evolving—it’s thriving.”

Cinnamon Life Director of Commercial Declan Hurley said: “When we talk about Cinnamon Life, we’re talking about more than a hotel or an event space; it’s a lifestyle destination that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and entertainment. Partnering with SLDF is an exciting opportunity because it positions us exactly where we want to be, at the intersection of global design and local innovation. It’s not just about hosting events; it’s about offering a platform where creativity is celebrated and nurtured, attracting both established artists and emerging talent. Cinnamon Life Presents aims to do just that: create a gateway where talent, entertainment, and business align.”

This collaboration is more than a one-time festival; it is part of a larger commitment to building Colombo’s reputation as an essential destination for cultural dialogue, economic expansion, and creative transformation.

The partnership’s mutual vision is to present Sri Lanka’s creative capital in the spotlight, gathering entrepreneurs, designers, and cultural thinkers under one roof. The result is an immersive environment where creativity, culture, and business converge—an invitation to the world to witness Colombo’s evolution through curated spaces and experiences designed to push boundaries and elevate design-led thinking. For Cinnamon Life, hosting the SLDF is not merely a showcase but a stepping stone towards a sustained vision. Hurley asserts, “This collaboration will showcase Colombo as a city where culture and commerce converge seamlessly, putting us on the radar as a destination that offers something truly unique.”

Through this partnership, Cinnamon Life and SLDF are showcasing luxury as a fusion of creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange.

According to Daluwatte, “Today’s luxury is about offering immersive, meaningful experiences that forge emotional connections. At Cinnamon Life, we blend creativity, authenticity, and innovation to make luxury memorable. Partnering with SLDF and MBFWSL enables us to present a new narrative for luxury in Colombo—one that celebrates artistic expression, craftsmanship, and world-class design.”

This vision of luxury resonates with a global audience seeking more than opulence; it attracts those drawn to a destination where local culture, design, and art are essential to every experience. By reimagining luxury as a convergence of culture and innovation, Cinnamon Life fosters a distinctive Colombo narrative that appeals to international travellers and local audiences alike.

With SLDF, Cinnamon Life amplifies Colombo’s global presence as a hub for arts, culture, and commerce. Declan Hurley notes, “Together with AOD, we are creating a platform that allows Sri Lanka to shine on the world stage, showcasing the country’s talent and creative potential.” SLDF embodies luxury as an evolving concept, inviting diverse industries to contribute to Colombo’s identity as a cultural and economic powerhouse.

This collaboration illustrates how creative industries add depth to the luxury experience, celebrating cultural expressions that are uniquely Sri Lankan yet globally relevant. As Hurley explains, “For Cinnamon Life, this partnership signals that Colombo is ready to stand among the world’s most vibrant cultural capitals. These festivals align with our strategy to attract high-value international visitors and position Colombo as a city where creativity and commerce meet.”

At the intersection of creativity and economic revival, SLDF and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka(MBFWSL) at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams represent Colombo’s future as a cultural and economic powerhouse. This collaboration, supported by John Keells Holdings and AOD, exemplifies how creative industries can drive tourism and inspire innovative business models rooted in local talent. Daluwatte reflects, “SLDF 2024 demonstrates how creativity can fuel economic recovery and cultural reinvention, showing the world that Sri Lanka is a hub for design, innovation, and commerce.”

Hurley adds, “SLDF positions Sri Lanka as a destination for cultural tourism and creative enterprise. Festivals like this draw international attention, inspire innovation, and encourage investment, promoting long-term growth across sectors that thrive on creativity. Cinnamon Life is proud to play a role in this movement, shaping Colombo and beyond as a landscape where creativity and business intersect.”

Through this partnership, Colombo’s evolving identity as a nexus of art, creativity, and commerce invites global engagement. For businesses and individuals interested in participating, register now at www.srilankadesignfestival.lk.