Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011 to showcase island craft, apparel industry
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Academy of Design (AOD) Managing Director Linda Speldewinde presents the project catalogue to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in the presence of Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at the Economic Development Ministry.
With strategic support from Economic Development Ministry and Industry and Commerce Ministry: The model project one which focuses on the North and the East of the country involves over 100 women artisans from the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Ampara and Batticaloa who are rebuilding in a post war era. AOD was invited by the Economic Development Ministry – Reawakening project to do a scoping visit and carry out an initial training back in January 2011. AOD has continued the project since then and has trained the women to produce palmyrah designer homeware products for high-end clientele of the hospitality industry such as Mount Lavinia Hotel and Chaaya Hotels and currently the women of these districts are handling these orders. This project has increased the wages of the women from Rupees eight to Rs 50 per hour increasing their income over five fold. The Palmyrah project logistics are carried on in partnership with the Palmyrah Development Board and UMCOR. The handloom weaving work is carried out in a cottage industry model in Mardhamunai in Ampara and Eruvil in Batticaloa. The second project encompasses the southern and central part of the island and the new products developed in these regions are due to be also showcased at the upcoming Sri Lanka Design Festival carrying on all the outcomes and success stories from the 2010 craft project which was showcased at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2010 by AOD in partnership with EDB. The other main discussion at the Ministry was about the new project to be showcased at the Sri Lanka Design Festival and that is the unique project in the Western Province – Gampaha District in Ilhala Madampe in the Divulapitiya division. The project which is carrying on under the Liya Abhimani programme of the Economic Development Ministry and under this project AOD is working with the Ministry and training 60 weavers in design and product development. The weaving community is currently working on producing collections of Fashion and Interior products to be showcased at Design Festival. The other new projects are a project in the Uva area in Bibile and Badulla where AOD is working with Cane and Kithul wood artisans. This project was started on the invitation of Uva Chief Minister’s office. The Sri Lanka Design Festival is due to be held from November 16-20 and the outcomes of all the above projects are to be showcased at the upcoming Design Festival in the form of an island craft exhibition, contemporary craft fashion shows and a specially curated pop up store. The islandwide model projects completed under AOD’s ‘Design for Sustainable Livelihood Development Project’ were presented to Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister guides the next phase to be presented and showcased at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011. |
Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011 New Website launched
Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) has returned for 2011 with its third edition. The much-awaited festival, added to the anticipation when it recently announced that the globally successful design firm ‘ADDIKT design movement’ was commissioned to create the Graphics and visual theme for SLDF 2011. In par with SLDF’s aim to engage designers and delegates from around the world, upgrading the festival visual campaign to international standards was imminent.
ADDIKT started as a motion graphics studio in Amsterdam early 2004, and evolved in to a new type of creative agency that has erased boundaries between film, web, animation and design. ADDIKT’s expertise ranges from visual identities, commercials and short films to Big Motion projects across the world. Recently concluded Kyoorios Designyatra – India’s largest design forum, was also one of ADDIKT’s acclaimed works.
Barry Schwartz the Creative Director/Co-Founder of ADDIKT was a specially invited delegate of SLDF 2010 and is a firm supporter0 of Sri Lanka’s mission in becoming a regional leader in design. ADDIKT’s core team of designers, directors, artists and animators created a stimulating visual identity for Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011. SLDF organizer, Academy of Design (AOD) is implementing this visual theme through its graphic design department. Alain Parizeau, head of graphics department at AOD said that the identity designed by ADDIKT A close-up on Sri Lanka is a contemporary theme that brings Sri Lanka in to focus; “This theme and motion graphics draw parallels not only to SLDF, but also to Sri Lanka through its associated shapes, colours and movements.”
SDLF unveiled its new visual identity with the launch of its website www.srilankadesignfestival.com on the 27th of September. The website launch is leading to the formal announcement of SLDF partners and programme on the 15th of October 2011.
SLDF is partnered by Coats Thread PLC, Textured Jersey, Trade Card, Hellmann, Sri Lankan Airlines, Mount Lavinia Hotel, British Council, Addikt Design Movement, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social mIdea and the Norwegian Embassy.
To contact Sri Lanka Design Festival; SLDF secretariat at AOD, 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 04 | (+94) 115 867 772/3, (+94) 115 742 480/90 | info@srilankadesignfestival.com
SL Design Festival 2011 set for ‘Close-up’ on fashion, apparel, design and craft sectors
The Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2011 is conceptualised by the Academy of Design (AOD), Sri Lanka’s leading design campus. AOD organises the festival in close association with industry leaders and the Government.
The festival will be held this November at Mount Lavinia Hotel and the event is to take place under the theme of ‘Close-up on Sri Lanka,’ extending an open invitation to the world to take a look at Sri Lanka’s potential to lead indesign and creativity.
As Sri Lanka’s pioneering creative dynamic, AOD organises the design festival annually to highlight the country’s creative wealth in several sectors like apparel industry, fashion, design and crafts.
AOD has established creativity’s role in development by fusing the major creative-based industries like apparel manufacturing with young design talent, by raising the bar in creative education and by implementing model projects in craft revival with design intervention.
Therefore, Sri Lanka is now uniquely positioned to set an example on utilising design and creativity for socioeconomic development, as the island makes use of its human, natural and cultural resources for development. SLDF is the single major, international platform that shows these creative and sustainable developmental solutions to the rest of the world.
With SLDF 2011’s fascinating ‘Close-up on Crafts,’ the festival will highlight livelihood development and craft revival projects involving artisan communities in the north and east regions, traditional craft communities in the Central and Southern Provinces and an exciting new weaving project in Divulapitiya under the Government’s ‘Liya Abhimani’ project.
The ‘Close-up on Crafts’ will feature home-ware, fashion and product design through an exhibition, a pop-up store and a fashion show. SLDF 2009/10 managed to secure international retailers like ASOS UK to work with artisans along with local retailers. SLDF 2011 is confident on establishing more market links for local crafts.
Sri Lanka’s largest and the most influential export industry, the apparel trade, will be again be a main focus of the event. The most prestigious apparel forum in South Asia, the South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum that has so far tackled pressing issues and ground-breaking plans of the Sri Lanka apparel industry such as the GSP plus trade benefit, investment in sustainability and going green, etc. will go on to discuss topics such as design technology and re-balancing of apparel production that will impact the course of the industry. A close-up on fashion will come through SLDF’s industry fashion show and exhibitions.
SLDF is known for bringing down big names in international graphics and advertising, such as Barry Schwartz – co-founder of ADDIKT award-winning design firm from Amsterdam and Rajesh Dahiya of Co-design India. This will help share global design knowledge with local designers through the festival’s many shows, forums and workshops.
The festival, endorsed by its key stakeholders Sri Lanka Apparel and the Ministry of Economic Development, is supported by Coats – Official Thread Partner, Textured Jersey – Official Fabric Partner, Trade Card – Official Software Partner, Hellmann – Official Shipping and Logistics Partner, SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline, Mount Lavinia Hotel – Official Host, Bates Strategic Alliance PR – Communications Partner, Images India – Indian Media Partner, Fashion TV – Fashion Media Partner, Social mIdea – Social Media Partner, Norwegian Embassy – Cultural Partner, Addikt Design Movement – Motion Graphics Partner and British Council –Knowledge Partner.
For more information on the festival log on to www.srilankadesignfestival.com, or contact the SLDF Secretariat at 29,Lauries Road, Colombo 4 on +94 11 5737303.
Coats Thread partners Design Festival 2011
Published : Daily FT
* To elevate Sri Lankan apparel and fashion to the global platform
* Coats keen to promote research, development and product innovation in apparel
Coats, which has raised the bar and set industry standards in the area of sewing solutions, has joined hands with Sri Lanka Design Festival to project the many capabilities of the local apparel and fashion industry to the world.
Coats operate in 71 countries, with 73 factories and 94 other facilities globally and are the world leader in manufacture and distribution of sewing and embroidery threads and consumer crafts. Coats are also the second largest manufacturer of zips in the world.
Sri Lanka is well-positioned to become a regional leader in apparel as it offers end-to-end turnkey solutions in the sector.
However, Coats believes that an aspect that allows Sri Lanka to distinguish itself among other regional competitors is the local apparel industry’s growing capacity to serve as a knowledge based industry where design plays a key role.
It is in this framework, that Coats supports Sri Lanka Design Festival where the knowledge based creative strength of Sri Lankan apparel is shown to the world.
“Coats have always been a believer of fusing design, innovation and technology to produce unique, high-quality products and services; SL design festival shares the same vision and we’re pleased to support them,” Managing Director of Coats Thread in Sri Lanka Giles Watkins said.
Sri Lanka Apparel Exco member and board member of Sri Lanka Design Festival said that Coats Association with SL Design Fest Kumar Mirchandani supports to differentiate Sri Lanka apparel industry from the other emerging garment industries of the region.
He said: “The future of South Asian apparel is a competitive one, and Sri Lanka needs to stand out. Supporting our home-grown creative and design talent and linking it with the manufacturing industry will ensure this. On behalf of Sri Lanka Design Festival, I thank Coats for supporting SLDF.”
Coats invests around US$ 200 million on research, development and product innovation and is a firm supporter of sharing knowledge and creative education. Therefore, the association with SLDF will also result in a range of fashion workshops sponsored by Coats in November.
In addition, Coats Global CEO Paul Forman will also arrive in Sri Lanka to take part in the festival and speak at the seminal South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum where topics crucial for local industry growth will be discussed by apparel giants.
Nikihil Hirdaramani, SLDF board member and director of Hirdaramani group said: “We’re very positive about SLDF’s positive impact on the apparel industry, and the help received from our backward integration giants like Coats has been tremendous. The leading manufacturers of Sri Lanka apparel are behind Coats and design festival in their joint venture to position our industry as the regional leader.”
The partnership will also project Sri Lanka’s industrial and creative potential to leading global markets through Coats’ huge network of international industrial clients that include Gap, Nike, North Face, Decathlon and Prada.
Founder of Sri Lanka Design Festival Linda Spendewinde said Coats is one Sri Lanka design festival 2011’s biggest supporters; “Coats has identified design as the future of the industry, and this partnership has allowed us to do much more for Sri Lanka apparel, than we have been able to do in the past. Coats have also been a genuine supporter of the festival’s craft and sustainable agendas and the Coats team have been wonderfully accommodative from the beginning. We’re glad to have them onboard.”
SLDF is conceptualised and organised by the Academy of Design (AOD), Sri Lanka’s pioneering and inspiring design campus that offers international creative and design education while serving as a dynamic catalyst of the local creative industry growth.
AOD organises SLDF in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and key industry stakeholders including the Joint Apparel Association Forum – the apex body the Sri Lankan apparel industry.
Other Key partners include; Mount Lavinia Hotel – Festival Host, Textured Jersey – Official Fabric Partner, Trade Card – Official Software Partner, Hellmann – Official Shipping and Logistics Partner and SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline along with Knowledge Partner – British Council, Sparklink Travels, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social mIdea, Norwegian Embassy and Addikt Design Movement.
Designs On Global Map
Published on : Sunday Leader
A creative and colourful initiative that employs the fashion catwalk to highlight the untapped potential of knitted fabric will be unveiled by Textured Jersey, Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent value-added knitted fabric producer at Sri Lanka Design Festival’s (SLDF’s) third edition.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Textured Jersey, the2011 Festival’s official fabric partner, will present a “glamorous” facet of the knitted fabric it produces, the use of which is largely limited to the production of intimate apparel by the company’s international customers.
Elegant evening wear specially designed by a group of Academy of Design (AoD) final year students and produced with a range of Textured Jersey’s knitted fabric will be presented by models at three fashion shows during the festival.
On November 19 & 20 these unique designs will be presented to a distinguished audience comprising top-notch local and international designers and high profile personalities from the apparel sector as a part of SLDF’s main industrial show. These designs will also be presented on November 18 at a fashion show organised by AoD for students.
The Academy jointly organises SLDF, the country’s most prestigious annual celebration of design, craft, fashion and apparel, with the government and key industry stakeholders including the Joint Apparel Association Forum.
Textured Jersey is the first textile mill in the backward integrated supply chain to sponsor this prestigious annual event.
“The sponsorship of this premier design festival presents an ideal forum for Textured Jersey to raise awareness among key target groups of the diverse array of applications possible for knitted fabric,” a company spokesperson said. “The new dimension we present could open up an exciting new avenue for the apparel industry.”
Complementing its sustainability driven business approach, Textured Jersey will also contribute towards the skills enhancement of Sri Lanka’s young fashion designers by initiating an exchange programme in collaboration with the AoD. The programme will start in January next year.
Textured Jersey employs one of Sri Lanka’s most sophisticated production facilities for the manufacture of knitted fabrics for the intimate apparel and sportswear industries. A specialist in the manufacture of high quality, weft-knitted and dyed stretch fabrics, Textured Jersey is a supplier for top-notch international brands of the calibre of Victoria’s Secret, Marks & Spencer and Intimissimi. The company’s two major shareholders are Brandix, Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter and Pacific Textiles, a Hong Kong based company with one of the largest manufacturing facilities in China.
On Road To Designer Branding
Published on : Sunday Leader
Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2011 is conceptualised by Academy of Design (AOD), Sri Lanka’s (SL’s) leading design campus.
AOD organizes the festival in association with industry leaders and the government and will be held at Mount Lavinia Hotel next month (November). The event is to take place under the theme “Close-up on Sri Lanka,” extending an invitation to the world to take a look at Sri Lanka’s potential to lead in design and creativity.
As SL’s pioneering creative dynamic, AOD organizes the design festival annually to highlight the country’s creative wealth in several sectors like the apparel industry, fashion, design and crafts. AOD has established creativity’s role in development by fusing the major creative-based industries like apparel manufacturing with young design talent and raising the bar in creative education by implementing model projects in craft revival with design intervention. Therefore SL is positioned to set an example on utilizing design and creativity for socio-economic development as the island makes use of its human, natural and cultural resources for development. SL design festival is the single major international platform that shows those creative and sustainable developmental solutions to the rest of the world.
SLDF 2011’s fascinating “Close-up on Crafts,”-the festival highlights livelihood development and craft revival projects involving artisan communities in the North and East and traditional craft communities in the central and Southern provinces and an exciting new weaving project in Divulapitiya under the government’s “Liya Abhimani” project. The close-up on craft will feature homeware, fashion and product design through an exhibition, a pop-up store and a fashion show. SLDF 2009/10 secured international retailers like ASOS UK to work with artisans along with local retailers. SLDF 2011 is confident of establishing more market links for local crafts.
As Sri Lanka’s largest and the most influential export industry, the apparel trade will once again be a main focus of the event. The most prestigious apparel forum in South-Asia, “South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum” that has so far tackled pressing issues and has made groundbreaking plans for the Sri Lankan apparel industry such as the GSP plus trade benefit, investment in sustainability and going green etc. will go on to discuss topics such as design technology and rebalancing of apparel production that will impact the industry’s course. A close-up on fashion will come through SLDF’s industry fashion shows and exhibitions. SLDF is known to bring down big names in international graphics and advertising such as Barry Schwartz–cofounder of ADDIKT award-winning design firm from Amsterdam and Rajesh Dahiya-Co-design India. This will help in sharing global design knowledge with local designers through the festival’s many shows, forums and workshops.
The festival endorsed by its key stakeholders Sri Lanka Apparel and Economic Development Ministry and is supported by Coats-official thread partner, Textured Jersey–official fabric partner, Trade Card–official software partner, Hellmann–official shipping and logistics partner, SriLankan– official airline, Mount Lavinia Hotel–official host, Bates Strategic Alliance PR–Communications Partner, Images India–Indian Media Partner, Fashion TV–fashion media partner, Social mIdea–social media partner, Norwegian Embassy –cultural partner, Addikt Design Movement–motion graphics partner and British Council–Knowledge Partner. SLDF is organized by AOD.
For more information on the festival contact SLDF Secretariat at Lauries Road, Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s craft heritage caters to hotel industry
Published : Daily FT
SLDF invites hoteliers, architects and interior designers for the special product showcase
‘Island Craft’ special product showcase featuring craft-based designer products from across the island, and highlighting the efforts of local artisans through home-ware and textile products will be hosted by Sri Lanka Design Festival on 16 November. Island Craft product showcase features collections that are specially designed and produced for the hotel industries of Sri Lanka and abroad.
This special product showcase will be especially beneficial for Hoteliers, Architects and Interior Designers as it features a previously unseen collection of designer products for the corresponding industries. From Pilimathalawa brassware light fixtures, Dumbara upholstery, coir flooring and carpets, batik textiles for curtaining to Galle ceramic crockery, the Island Craft product showcase will provide creative solutions and inspiration that will create a new dimension in the local hotel industry and associated architecture.
The showcase also includes home-ware, toiletries, basketry and other specialty products by the north and east of the country involving over 100 female artisans who are rebuilding in a post war era and has already completed two successful projects for Mount Lavinia Hotel and Chaaya Hotels. The handloom weaving project in Gampaha District’s Divulapitiya division will present a specially designed collection of hand-woven bed-linens, table linen and textiles.
These projects that touch the life of almost 500 people will be showcased at Sri Lanka Design Festival’s Island Craft exhibition which will have a special audience of local and international hoteliers and hospitality industry leaders. The work of these artisans is essentially Sri Lankan in aesthetic, colour and texture and contemporary with modern design input. They are designed to carry the message of ‘Sri Lanka’ through hotel interiors, products, and utensils and promise to become a rewarding experience for local and international hoteliers, architects and interior designers.
Sri Lanka Design Festival invites these professionals to become a part of the event on 16 November. For more information contact www.srilankadesignfestival.com or the festival secretariat +94 11 5737303 at Academy of Design (AOD), 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4 between 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Saturday. SLDF is conceptualised and organised by AOD (www.aod.lk ) – Academy of Design, Sri Lanka’s pioneering and inspiring design campus that offers international creative and design education while serving as a dynamic catalyst of the local creative industry growth. AOD organises SLDF in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and key industry stakeholders including the Joint Apparel Association Forum – the apex body the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Other Key partners include ; Mount Lavinia Hotel – Festival Host, Textured Jersey – Official Fabric Partner, Trade Card – Official Software Partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – Official Freight and Logistics Partner and Sri Lankan Airlines – Official Airline along with Knowledge Partner – British Council, Sparklink Travels, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social mIdea, Norwegian Embassy and Addikt Design Movement.
Hellmann partners Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011
Published : Daily FT
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, one of the world’s largest logistics providers, is playing its part to support Sri Lanka’s new emerging economic superpower; design. Hellmann will be a partner of The Sri Lanka Design Festival which will take place from 16-20 November 2011 at Mount Lavinia Hotel.
The event which is organised by the Academy of Design of Sri Lanka is the largest and most widely recognised celebration of Sri Lankan creativity. Hellmann, who already has a strong global presence within the fashion logistics industry, is proud to support the emerging talent in Sri Lanka.
Managing Director of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics in Sri Lanka Tania Polonnowita said: “We are delighted to support the Sri Lanka Design Festival.
We understand and appreciate the great potential the festival has to promote globally the industries that we work with. In addition to apparel, the festival also promotes other growing industries like graphic design, advertising and arts and crafts, which we are also very supportive of.”
The founder of the Sri Lanka Design Festival, Linda Speldewinde thanked Hellmann for their support and mentioned the vital role that Hellmann will play in this year’s festival: “Hellmann is a global leader in logistical solutions and freight.
Their access to global business networks will play a huge role in developing the design led industries in Sri Lanka during this crucial time of growth.”
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is an expert at anticipating the future needs of the global marketplace. With huge investments in sophisticated logistical solutions for Sri Lanka’s creative led industries such as fashion and apparel, Hellmann’s contribution to the growth of the industry and global network is tremendous.
Hellmann’s association with the Sri Lanka Design Festival furthers their contribution to the international growth and recognition of Sri Lanka’s creative industries.
Hellmann Sri Lanka is a joint venture of Hemas Holdings PLC and Hellmann worldwide GmbH. Hellmann offers tailor-made solutions that answer to the needs of customers around the world. As a leading international provider of integrated logistics solutions, Hellmann is considered a vital link between industries and trade throughout the world.
The global logistics network of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics operates in 443 branches in 157 countries and employs in excess of 16,500 dedicated people to serve customers worldwide.
SLDF is conceptualised and organised by AOD (www.aod.lk ) – The Academy of Design, Sri Lanka’s pioneering and inspiringdesign campus that offers international creative and design education while serving as a dynamic catalyst of the local creative industry growth. AOD organises SLDF in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and key industry stakeholders including the Joint Apparel Association Forum – the apex body the Sri Lankan apparel industry.
Other Key partners include ; Mount Lavinia Hotel – Festival Host, Textured Jersey – Official Fabric Partner, Trade Card – Official Software Partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics– Official Freight and Logistics Partner and SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline along with Knowledge Partner – British Council, Sparklink Travels, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social media, Norwegian Embassy and Addikt Design Movement.
For more information contact www.srilankadesignfestival.com or the festival secretariat +94 11 5737303 at Academy of Design (AOD), 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4 between 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Saturday.
South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum – a networking opportunity across the supply chain from thread-maker to retailer
Published on : Daily FT
The forum will be held on 18 November
The South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum, conceptualised by Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) as one of its main highlights of 2011, is already participated by apparel manufacturing leaders and their key partners promising to be a great platform and networking opportunity for apparel industry’s backward integration sector and supply chain.
The forum is to be held on 18 November, and will see many key apparel experts and high profile international press gather to provide their insights on topics that are crucial for Sri Lanka’s campaign to lead South Asian apparel and become the global apparel visionary.
SLDF’s key backward integration and supply chain partners Coats Thread PLC, Textured Jersey and TradeCard Inc. along with logistics leaders Hellmann Worldwide Logistics are already a key part of the forums. The forum organisers are keen to have more members of the apparel industry supply chain and backward integration participating in the event. Sri Lanka’s fashion manufacturing industry has progressed towards becoming one of the pioneers in the global supply chain which caters to leading international brands and retains its position at the forefront of ethical manufacturing, a significant key to the growth of the fashion industry in Sri Lanka.
This forum will discuss the further progression of the industry and will have a huge impact on the apparel supply chain and backward integration industry. Amongst many topics, the forum will also discuss topics directly related to the apparel supply chain on network partnerships, movement from “transactional” to “involvement” networks,
supply chain costs etc.
The event has already involved global apparel leaders including leading retail brands, and looks on is keen to involve all organisations across the supply chain from the yarn to the retailer.
SLDF is also encouraging logistics and finance parties to participate in the forum and share their valued opinions to form strategy on how Sri Lanka apparel and associated industries can move forward together from a South Asian and a global point of view.
Registration for the forum is available online at www.srilankadesignfestival.com or from the festival secretariat at atAcademy of Design (AOD), 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4. For more information call on +94 11 5737303 or visit between 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Saturday.
SLDF is also partnered by Mount Lavinia Hotel – Festival Host, SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline, Sri Lanka Tourism – Tourism Partners, Textured Jersey – Fabric Partner, Coats – Thread Partner, TradeCard – Software Partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – Freight and logistics partner, Norwegian Embassy – Cultural Partner, British Council – Knowledge Partner. Other associates include Sparklink Travels, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social M!dea, ADDIKT Design Movement, Images Group, CG Hairdressing, MTV/MBC and Fashion TV.
The Lankan look
Published on : Sunday Times
Sparkling creativity and showcasing the artistry of Sri Lankans, the much-anticipated Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) began at the Mount Lavinia Hotel and the Academy of Design (AoD) premises from November 16 and will end today with a gala fashion show. Organised for the third time by the Academy of Design, SLDF brought together students, artisans, industry leaders, and the government under the theme ‘Close-up on Sri Lanka’.
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SLDF is not just a fashion event. It is a public-private partnership that captures “the essence of our country” and promotes Sri Lanka’s potential in making a mark in the global design industry, said the Founder of the SLDF and Managing Director of the Academy of Design, Linda Speldewinde. Elaborating on this year’s theme, she added that the focus was on “design for sustainable development” in the social and environmental spheres.
The five-day festival comprised various events including interactive workshops, forum discussions, exhibitions and fashion shows that spanned many fields of creativity and design including fashion, graphics, interiors and photography.
The Island Craft Exhibition and Fashion Show, enriched by the contributions of many traditional artisans from many rural areas of the island including Divulapitiya in Gampaha, Eruwil in Batticaloa, Talagune in Matale, Marathamunai in Ampara, Galle and Kandy, captured a wide audience. In an attempt to empower and inspire the traditional craftsmen and revive the beauty of Lankan creativity, traditional arts like handloom and batik textiles, beeralu, lac-work, brassware, ceramics, palmyrah, cane, paper, shell and coir crafts were transformed to meet the demands of modernity into beautiful works of homeware, upholstery, flooring and other interior products and couture fashion accessories. Island Crafts provided a much-needed platform for artisans to tap into a potential customer base of Sri Lanka’s expanding hospitality industry including hoteliers, architects and interior designers.
The festival ends today with the second showing of the Sri Lanka Apparel Fashion Show, at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. This show will bring many leading names of the Sri Lankan apparel industry, including Hirdaramani, Orient Design, Brandix, MAS, Voguetex, Penguin, Timex, Union, Hameedias, Star, House of Lonali and Redcocoontake, and industry collaborative fashion collections from the Academy of Design on the same catwalk to highlight their prowess.
