CJS immortalises Galle’s iconic Gallus in Cock-a-doodle-doo collection

Wednesday, 23 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In the backdrop of the famed picturesque architectural hallmarks of Galle’s Dutch Fort, Colombo Jewellery Stores unveiled a collection that’s symbolic of the arrival of both the Portuguese and the Dutch in Sri Lanka, at the HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Resort Wear Show recently. It is this rooster that was first espied by Portuguese Lorenzo De Almeida and his men in 1505 when they stepped forth on this paradise isle and later taken by the Dutch and immortalised on the city’s coat of arms, eventually becoming the inspiration for the CJS collection, many centuries later.

Thus, the rooster known as Galo in Portuguese and Gallus derived from Latin which resulted in this port city being called Galo and later Galle, sees the CJS Cock-a-doodle-doo Collection relive the legends and tales that the grand past of both the Portuguese and Dutch eras tends to engender. Even more exciting was that the Cock-a-doodle-doo Collection held another significance for CJS, intertwining the CJS story into this historic fort. “This is our hometown,” regaled CJS Managing Director Akram Cassim with a sentimental smile, “This is where it all began.” For CJS, the quaint cobblestoned pathways of Galle is home, a home where a legacy of nearly a century is rooted. “My grandfather, CJS Founder Thaha Cassim spent much of his time here using the inspiration of the beautiful architecture and landscape surrounding him to design some of the most eye-catching collections of his time. For CJS therefore, Galle is about coming home, where we steep ourselves in the colourful history of the Dutch era, which while heralding some grand times, was also an era of fun, excitement and carefree moments.” The Cock-a-doodle-doo Collection epitomises these fun and casual characteristics, making bold statements of insouciant style, emboldened with a dash of daring elegance. “There’s a lot of drama, delight and joyousness in this collection,” explains Cassim, adding that the vibrant palette of jewels is

distinctive to the uniqueness of this exotic tropical island. “The collection surely evokes conversation, placing the cockerel at the centre of it. This alone will beg questions about Sri Lanka’s colourful history, the beauty of its gems, the craftsmanship that heralds from an era past and the infinite beauty that the island seems to have in abundance.” As CJS Brand Ambassador award winning Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez said, “What is most exciting about every CJS Collection is there’s always a story that has inspired them. I’m amazed at how the beautiful jewellery brings those stories to life. It’s the same with the Cock-a-doodle-doo Collection which when I saw it first, I was so excited about. Who would have thought that CJS would be inspired by the very simple cockerel to be transformed into a fun and very dramatic collection? I love the playful element in the design, although it does hold a subtle touch of glamour within it. Galle has certainly been enriched that much more with that daringly cheeky yet confident rooster being immortalised by CJS.” For Akram, this collection is also somewhat emotive. “This is one of those collections that I really enjoyed designing and watching the craftsmanship take shape and eventually emerge as a glamorous yet fun rooster, giving me the pleasure of knowing that I’ve re-introduced a little bit of ‘Galle’ into a collection.” CJS will be presenting the Cock-a-doodle-doo Collection at Fashion World this month, together with its signature Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer, for which CJS is the Sole Agent.