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Monday, 20 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
GahanathPandithage, CEO of DIMO and Mercedes-Benz custodian in Sri Lanka, declares open the Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards with Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards founder Linda Speldewinde 
Rajeev Pandithage, General Manager of Sales and Parts at DIMO,shakes hands with Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards founder Linda Spledewinde
Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards that formed the most prestigious platform for local fashion/apparel talent recently joined hands with Mercedes-Benz – the luxurious international automobile brand for style and glamour. The long-term partnership forged via the local custodian for Mercedes-Benz, Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO), was announced recently at a glamorous runway launch of the initiative.
The event which is already accepting submissions for its 2015 round is now unveiled under a fresh image co-branded with Mercedes-Benz; the finale show is due to take place this November as part of Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) and will see the award winners attending the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2016 in Istanbul.
The outcomes of the event where selected talent will be given further opportunities to travel, set-up international connections and learning opportunities to further develop their skill and craft, are expected to resonate through Sri Lanka’s multi-billion dollar apparel industry which is also the country’s largest export earner.
Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards initiated back in 2013 will now be repositioned as Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards Sri Lanka. Here, local designers and apparel companies will gain the ability to leverage on the glamour and prestige of a worldwide icon for style. The event which serves as a catalyst for fashion and apparel innovation will now encourage participating individuals and companies to truly push their boundaries to shine on a national platform that has the potential to attract global attention.
Rajeev Pandithage, General Manager of Sales & Parts at DIMO/custodian for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, stated that the brand’s relationship with style and fashion has been a continuing one across the world.
The glamorous Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards – Sri Lanka will take place in November 2015
“We’re proud to represent Mercedes-Benz and join hands with the biggest platform to recognise fashion and apparel talent in Sri Lanka. As a brand name that plays a significant role in the development of fashion talent all over the world, we hope to extend the same support to homegrown talent and brands along with new opportunities for the local apparel industry which we greatly respect. The winners of Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards Sri Lanka will gain a new viewpoint into the global fashion sphere from our international network at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2016 in Istanbul. We’re very excited to share these opportunities with our emerging talent and look forward to the grand finale in November,” he added.
Beneficiaries are not just the award winners; the competitive atmosphere automatically raises the bar in the local fashion and apparel industry by pushing product and operational innovation. This in turn, propels the industry to deliver unique and valuable products to the end-consumer. 
Linda Speldewinde, the founder of Sri Lanka Design Festival, stated that Mercedes-Benz Fashion & Apparel Awards Sri Lanka is an essential component of the mega event due in November: “While SLDF remains the most influential B2B platform for fashion and apparel, among its many important components is recognising and creating opportunities for innovation and unique talent coming out of the industry and the country – this essential platform is what Mercedes-Benz has come into support and co-create from 2015 onwards with us at SLDF. We’re honoured to have such a prestigious style icon elevating our event to their worldwide network and resulting prospects, and we’re thankful to the local custodian Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC for taking the leadership to initiate this revolutionary partnership and we are happy to promote this growing culture of innovation in Sri Lankan fashion with our powerful partnership.”
Currently, the event has a list of celebrity judges such as celebrated fashion educationalist Prof. Emeritus Jane Rapley OBE and European fashion business connoisseur Peter Ingwersen who led brands like LEVIS, Noir and Illuminati over an illustrious career. With this new partnership with Mercedes-Benz which is a design oriented brand and a constant employer of designers to ensure each automobile is a unique designer piece, the event now promises to attract more and more influential fashion and design names over the years.
As applicants line-up with their submissions for this coveted platform, Sri Lanka can expect an inspiring line-up of amazing talent, previously-unheard-of technology and innovation from local apparel and an exciting finale show with an international audience in November. The outcomes of this monumental partnership are expected to spark a positive chain reaction throughout Sri Lanka’s multi-billion dollar apparel and backward integration industry as well as home grown retail brands by directly nurturing and educating the crème de la crème of its talent pool. The event is supported by Sri Lanka Apparel while Daily FT is the official print media partner. To take part in the Mercedes-Benz Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards, apply before 30 July (original deadline extended due to popular request). To find out more and to download applications, log on to www.srilankafashionandapparelawards.com or call Amreeya on 0767771488 or 0115867772.
Pix by Indrarathne Balasuriya
