HSBC CFW and National Crafts Council create ‘Crafts in Fashion’ program

Tuesday, 28 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

‘Crafts in fashion’ partnership started at the CFW Resort show in Galle in October 2013, with a knowledge base interaction where global fashion and crafts icon Bibi Russell imparted knowledge in the first workshop that was created as a result of this partnership. Another South Asian icon Jason Cherian of the ‘Jasonanshu’ label spoke at the same workshop, which was attended by the craftsmen of the southern region of the island. At HSBC CFW which will be held early February, the second stage of this partnership with NCC will be to incorporate local crafts into catwalk pieces. Two local designers Ramona Oshini and Indi Abeywardena will showcase two collections using crafts in their collections for 2014. The collections created by the two designers will be retail ready and the partnership will pave the way for more designers to involve themselves with the development of Sri Lankan crafts.

“We are hopeful that with careful nurturing this project will realise its potential, we want to bring in experts to infuse knowledge and then have artisans collaborate with designers so that more crafts are seen in fashion. I know it will take little time and few steps so we will take those steps to develop the industry. We are thankful to Mr. Keertisena to get this going,” says Colombo Fashion Week President Ajai Singh. In addition CFW has also invited an expert in weaving from India; Romanie Jaitley will be attending the workshop as part of the CFW Fashion Talks Series focusing on the art of weaving. National Crafts Council Chairman Buddhi Keertisena, speaking of the partnership said, “We feel that Colombo Fashion Week is a very strong platform and are very happy to partner with them. This partnership will highlight the craftsmanship in fashion and bring emphasis to our local crafts people thereby bringing recognition to their talent. We hope to bring the necessary exposure commercially by integrating local designers and artisans within the fashion realm will in turn generating more returns for the local crafts fraternity.” The collection by Indi will be showcased on 6 February, the first day of the HSBC CFW and Ramona

will be showcasing her collection on day two. The Fashion Talk crafts workshop will be held on 5 February 2014.