10th HSBC Colombo Fashion Week starts today

By Cheranka Mendis

Colombo is ready to host the much-awaited display of colour and design as the premier fashion event of the country, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week, unfolds its three-day extravaganza at Hilton Colombo today.

Dedicated to Sri Lanka’s young and up-and-coming designers, this year’s Fashion Week will feature 20 local designers carefully chosen from a large pool of contenders within the past three months alongside celebrated international designers.

Among the crop of talented local designers are two young Sri Lankan designers who are taking the world of fashion by storm in the US – GQ favourite Nish de Gruiter whose label ‘Suit Supply’ is one of Europe’s trendiest clothing stores for the dapper gentleman and Radhika Perera-Hernandez, the creator of the brand ‘Lois London’ renowned for its mesmerising kaftans and swimwear.

Among the local brands that will showcase their collections are White by Spa Ceylon, Middle Finger, Aqua Island by Linea Aqua, Aviraté, Arugam Bay and Colombo Jewellery Stores.

The show will be opened with an eclectic collection by Spanish artist and designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, who has wowed the audiences at past Fashion Weeks with her vibrant, playful designs, promising to uphold the glamour, fashion and class of the previous years.

A total of 30 designers will showcase their collections over three nights, among which nine are high profile designers from eight countries. The international designers are Bibi Russell (Bangladesh), Jason and Anshu (Bangalore), Juan Duyos (Madrid/winner of L’Oreal Best Collection of the Season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Milan 2013), Ashikur Rahman Pony, Turquoise & Gold, and Sounak – House of Three, and Sri Lankan born designers Nish de Gruiter and Radhika Perera-Hernandez.

Speaking to the Daily FT, HSBC CFW President Ajai Vir Singh noted that the Fashion Week today was the reality of a dream 10 years ago. “The program is a developmental platform that has extended beyond Sri Lanka to South Asia. CFW is driving stakeholders in other countries to focus on youth as well. We have made an impression and an impact in the world of fashion,” he said.

“Ten years ago, we could hardly put together one or two local designers. What we see today is the reality of our dream then.”

With plans to expand and to empower more local designers to take on the world of fashion, the organisers are in talks once again with major fashion weeks abroad such as the Madrid Fashion Week to slot in Sri Lankan designers.

The prestigious Gen-Next award and the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented this year as well, along with a new ‘Face of Colombo Fashion Week’ award, choosing the best male and female models at the shows. “We want to take the impact across the complementary industries such as modelling,” he asserted.

Presenting a fresh experience in 2013, HSBC CFW will open its doors to all the glitz and glamour of its legendary after parties this year with three themed events – Cherry Bomb (at Hilton’s Emperor’s Wok), Pandemonium (Echelon Pub), and Monkeys and Manolo’s (Spoons) – each party as unique and fresh as the designers at the fashion shows, and equally not to be missed. The after parties were invitation-only in the past.