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Wednesday, 2 March 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) established the CFW Fashion Design Fund in 2014 to financially support the most impressive young designer that partakes in the ‘Emerging Designers’ Show. Each year one up-and-coming designer with high potential is selected and given funding to kick-start his/her fashion career.
CFW Emerging Designer Show, hosted at Park Street Mews this year, provided a rare opportunity for aspiring designers to showcase their creative talent at the CFW Spring/Summer 2017 Show.
“The focus on the next generation of designers really excites and encourages us. We take this as an investment for the future of the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka,” says Ajai V. Singh. “The CFW Fashion Design Fund is part of that strategy where every year we pick one high potential young designer who we mentor and support financially along with other resources. I am sure by God’s grace we will be able to support many more talented designers in the years to come. Through opportunities such as this, the next generation is getting ready to take their stand.”
The ‘Emerging Designers’ program enables CFW, the backbone of the Sri Lankan fashion industry to cultivate and nurture emerging fashion talent. The platform allows these young an opportunity to interact amongst CFW’s discerning patrons giving them a professional perspective within the industry with the veterans.
The application process for the ‘Emerging Designers’ program is open to all fashion design students. Applicants are evaluated by an expert panel of judges, who handpick the most promising candidates. in the months leading up to the show, ‘Emerging Designers’ designers work closely with the CFW team, who provide them with integral feedback and mentor them throughout their creative process – from conceptualisation to the production of a runway-ready collection.
‘Emerging Designers’ are given the coveted opportunity to learn the inner workings of a prestige Fashion Week as well as how to create a collection that will be showcased to an audience comprising leading designers, editors, buyers and influencers.
At the end of this intensive mentoring process, the most impressive ‘Emerging Designer’ is adjudged the winner of the prestigious CFW Fashion Design Fund, which is contributed towards his/her ramp collection. This year, the Design Fund was awarded to Anushika Perera for her use of linen for her apparel wear and brass and copper for her jewellery to create convertible silhouettes in the designs that she put forth for this season. Anushika, a final year student at Moratuwa University, Sri Lanka is currently following the Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory Design Course with the Department of integrated Design at her University.
Commenting on her passion for the industry, Anushika stated: “My inspiration in becoming a designer was almost in built as everyone in my family is involved fashion and the apparel industry one way or the other. My grandmother was an expert in tie and dye, while my aunt and mother were heavily involved with sewing and embroidery. I was always surrounded by beautiful concepts. As the next generation of inspiration in my family, I aspire to be a high profile fashion designer with innovating new concepts such as the convertible apparel giving the consumer a variable choice in what they wear.”
Previous winners of CFW Fashion Design Fund, Kasun Gunawadena and Peronie Stefel also showcased their collections on the main ramp of the CFW SS17 Show. The CFW Fashion Design Fund supports new fashion designers by helping them take significant steps into the next stage of their careers. CFW hopes that Anushika, too, will continue this trend and be an inspiration to other aspiring fashion designers.
CFW is one of three fashion weeks in Asia that has been running for over 12 years and returned for its 13th rendition from 20 to 26 February at Park Street Mews and Hilton Colombo. HSBC CFW 2016 was enriched by its partners: HSBC, Hilton, Land Rover, Colombo Jewelry Stores, Wineworld, Olu Water, Vision Care, Unilever - Ponds BB, Ramani Fernando Salons, Spa Ceylon, Illy Coffee, Wijeya Group and Hameedia – who share and extend their support towards the vision and aspirations of CFW.
For more information, visit the official CFW website at www.colombofashionweek.com or follow the latest updates on the official CFW Facebook page at www.facebook.com/colombofashionweek.
