Celebrated international swimwear designers to showcase at CFW Swim 2016

The inaugural edition of Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) Swim, presented by OLU Tropical Water and the foremost swimwear designers and manufacturers in the region, will showcase a line-up that includes nine Sri Lankan designers and the collections of three highly-acclaimed and respected international swimwear labels – Charlie by Matthew Zink, Shivan & Narresh and sanchita. 

A technical collaboration with Linea Aqua, CFW Swim 2016 will take place on 7 and 8 August at the Hilton Colombo Poolside.

Regarded as the backbone of the Sri Lankan fashion industry, CFW is also renowned as one of the more international Fashion Weeks in Asia, due to the regular participation of some of the world’s most recognised fashion designers and brands. CFW Swim will showcase the latest collections of three influential swimwear labels –one American and two South Asian – to be appreciated by the media, buyers and consumers. 

With a huge following amongst Hollywood celebrities and international style bloggers, Charlie by Matthew Zink is a luxury swim lifestyle brand dedicated to the seduction of the perfect swimsuit.  Charlie is the vision of New York based designer Matthew Zink. The former Design Director for Victoria’s Secret Swimwear, Matthew Zink created Charlie to indulge men and women who desire an elite swimwear experience. At CFW Swim 2016, Charlie will showcase its ‘#FOREVERCHARLIE’ Collection. Rooted in simplicity and Charlie’s signature timeless aesthetic, Charliefans can look forward to one of the brand’s most iconic collections to date.  

India’s first luxury swimwear brand, Shivan & Narresh is the label of prodigal designers, Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja. The brand was launched in Cannes at ‘Mare di Moda’ with its 100% stitch-free swim line. Shivan & Narresh specialises in designer swimsuits and was the first Indian brand to showcase at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, USA. Shivan & 

Narresh has been recognised by Forbes magazine under the celebrated ‘30 under 30’ List. Recently, the brand designed vintage swimsuits for the Hollywood movie Life of Pi by Ang Lee. Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas has also collaborated with Shivan & Narresh for a special collection. For CFW Swim 2016, the brand will present its Cruise Resort Collection, ‘Henri’s Garden’.

Sanchita Ajjampur is a fashion designer with over 20 years of experience in consulting for international designers and global luxury brands, and is the Creative Director and Founder of sanchita. The sanchita brand is unconventional, free spirited, desirable, energetic and has a global appeal which resonates withthe modern global traveller. She has also created swimwear for La Perla and Armani and consulted for Victoria’s Secret. 

In 2000, Sanchita co-founded Sanfab India with her brother Raj Ajjampur in Bangalore, India. Sanfab produces fully-finished ‘Made-in-India’ luxury products and semi-finished pieces for iconic brands like Lanvin, Etro, Marni and DSquared2 among others.

To realise its goal of making Sri Lanka a global swimwear hub through Swim, CFW is also enriched by its partnerships with Nissan, Yamaha, Vision Care, American & Efird Lanka, Bodyline, Ramani Fernando Salons,  Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide – who believe in the vision and aspirations of CFW.

Colombo Fashion Week is one of four main Fashion Weeks in Asia that are over 10 years old and continues to inspire growth and drive innovation amongst Sri Lankan designers. It is considered the most recognised fashion platform in Sri Lanka, and one of the most respected in the region.

For more information on CFW Swim 2016, including designers and schedules, visit the official Colombo Fashion Week website (www.colombofashionweek.com). For the latest updates on runway shows, Fashion+Food, AfterParties and behind-the-scenes activities, follow CFW on Facebook (www.facebook.com/colombofashionweek), Twitter (@colombofw) and Instagram (@colombofw). Use #CFWSwimto join the conversation.