Ramp breaks into Colombo’s fashion scene

Raising the bar higher ‘Ramp’ unveils its ‘Ready To Wear 2017 Collection’ with a rocking fashion show on its in-house ramp!

Creating a buzz in the country’s rapidly evolving fashion industry ‘Ramp’ unveiled its designer boutique featuring some of Colombo’s established and breakout fashion designers. Based on Level 2 in the newly refurbished Liberty Plaza, and boasting its own ramp in 2,400 sq. ft. of spacious but minimalist industrial interior, the recently launched designer store is making a statement. Along with the featured designers and insights of its promoters, Ramp aims to step in where the city’s trendiest fashion shows step off, and create a unique space and platform for the designers’ entrepreneurial and creative ambitions to merge. 

A collaboration of local and international designers saw to the grand launch of the Ramp designer wear store, showcasing some of the best upmarket fashion to enter the local market; and its inaugural ready to wear 2017 collection was viewed by an A-list invitees-only audience.

Ramp features some of the top designer brands including Curves by Angelina Senevirathne, VAR Vara Fashions by Sri Lankan based Russian fashion designer Elena Shnyreva, Ridz by Ridma Samaranayake, Chathak by Shadheeshan Shanmugavel and Suryakala Chandrika Jeevananthan, Zirc Jewellery by Zainab Zaheen and Zaheen Zarook, Ediqueen by Eshani Diana, Island Lush by Irushi Ratnaweera Perera, Livill by Subodha Subasinghe, and Royal & Regal by Sharon Palawandram in addition to Club House Vivaldi by Dinushka Iddawela and Jonathan Abeywickrema. 

Ramp offers a collection of inspiring designs, exquisite jewellery, amazing designer ladies shoes, as well as an exclusive collection of men’s and women’s undergarments. 

Expressing his views at the launch, Vasula Premawardhana – CEO of Colombo Land and Development Plc. – the corporate promoter of the project said, “Identifying and encouraging upcoming designers with the necessary exposure and grooming the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs in the country, have been the key desires driving the launch of ‘Ramp’.”

“We also aim to encourage young people pursuing their passion in fashion designing. Several upcoming fashion designers have shown a great interest in joining our designer project.  And we intend to promote the best breakout designers and their designs through RAMP,” Premawardhana said. 

He also noted that Ramp style studio will serve as an effective platform for artistes and fashion icons to meet, exchange views and share expertise in addition to holding workshops and other events on trending fashion. 

“We believe that fashion is becoming more authentic in Sri Lanka in all aspects. Going beyond the trend-followers and fashion-imitators, we aim to enrich the fashion industry by becoming the trend-setters and trailblazers.”

When asked if this indicates a shift into retail operations from a traditional rent based model of Colombo Land and Development Plc., he quipped, “We are more inclined towards property development than fashion, but you will have to wait and see.”