15 finalists line up for showdown at Chokolaate MDFD 2013 contest

From many applications, semi finalists were short listed and after a gruelling day of semis, 15 finalists were selected. It was a long semi final day which saw some wonderful designers come forward to one of the country’s leading fashion competitions, that tests the designers’ diversity and flexibility of creating designs for three categories.

Yes, the designers will put their minds, pencils, machines and models to the test at the much-awaited fashion design competition of the year. It’s the fourth edition of Chokolaate Mother Daughter Fashion Designer (MDFD) of the Year competition. The finalists were selected by an eminent panel of judges: Gihan Ediriweera, Damith Cooray, Ramona Oshini, Amilani Perera, Shimalka Bodaragama and Prassanna Pathmananthan.

These young designer contestants represent almost all the leading design schools in the country, from which it is evident that the industry and the interest in fashion is growing. The next few days will take the designers on a journey of their lives, which will prepare them for the competition and enable them to face the many challenges that they could encounter. Competition night is a very special night for this young and talented group and MDFD opens up a doorway for them to confidently reach this stage of the competition.

The finalists this year are Anusha Silva, Binari Sachendra, Chamindu Amaratunga, Chinthaka Dharmakeerthi, Dakshika Abeysekara, Jayani Perera, Krishani Rathnaraja, Kushan Jayasinghe, Maryam Marika, Manoshi Hansapani, Nilushika Dias, Poorna Daundasekara, Purnika Rodrigo, Wasana Dissanayake and Yashora Rathnayake.

Look out for this wonderful group of fifteen designers competing under varied themes and battle it out to secure the MDFD 2013 fashion designer title. Moreover MDFD brought real mothers and daughters to take up the ramp for the first time four years ago and over the years 56 mothers and daughters have had the privilege of experiencing that glamour. We are sure to be treated once again by some great mother daughter duos as the event will also look for the best mother and daughter models to walk the ramp that night.

“It’s quite pleasing to see the growing trends in the Sri Lankan fashion industry. I am also extremely delighted with the interest and response towards the show, by way of applicants, sponsors, models, judges and others in many ways. The support we have received has been tremendous and we like to give back to the industry and the designers. It’s going to be yet another great night of fashion for all those who make their way to the finals,” said Chokolaate Magazine Managing Editor Michelle Gunesekera.     

The battle seems to have already begun on Facebook, with the contestants vying for the title of Facebook most-liked designer, which battle will also conclude just before the competition. So the hype and the excitement seem to be brewing and considering the past shows, this should be nothing short of a great fashion extravaganza filled with excitement and entertainment. 11 May, a day definitely not to be missed! The show will commence at 5:30 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre.