For the second consecutive year, Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) came together with One Galle Face to curate a first-of-its-kind experiential retail event with an overriding theme: “No plastic week” which gives it a responsible and sustainable direction in keeping with the overall theme of circularity in fashion as promoted by CFW.
The programme is to last 10 days and will take place from 28 March to 9 April 2021 under the themes of Wellness, Fashion, Luxury, and Cuisine, based on creative collaborations which brings about engaging retail interactions for guests and patrons. It will be launched in association with One Galle Face and HSBC Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the press conference held at One Galle Face, CFW Holdings Managing Director Ajai Vir Singh commented: “Going on sales is just not enough in these times; we wanted to see how else we could enhance the experience of our shoppers. We will be creating experiences which are relevant and responsible which will enhance and empower every consumer who walks into the One Galle Face Mall. This new concept of retail is dynamic and goes beyond the sale format.”
He further explained that the programme is a knowledge and engagement-based experience which includes expert talks on relevant themes and subjects, book readings and workshops, value added retail experiences, a home-grown music event, junior chef programme, art workshop for kids, and special events like wine tasting and food and beverage demos.
The wellness-themed events will include talks on conquering the mountain by Johann Peries, fitness events such as Animal Flow, and holistic events such as yoga sessions. For the fashion enthusiasts, CFW Retail Week offers a batik workshop by fashion designer Sonali Dharmawardena; a talk on Circularity by Ajai Vir Singh, and a specially curated viewing of Careem’s Jewellery. Retail Week will also include gastronomic experiences such as a junior master chef event for young culinary aficionados and plenty of food and beverage specials throughout the One Galle Face Mall for patrons to enjoy. The programme offers plenty of family activities like a curated quiz night, kids art event, workshop with Artika Aurora Bakshi; and a home-grown acoustic evening.
Speaking about the concept behind the retail festival, Shangri-La Group Commercial Director Chris McFall stated: “This fashion festival is essentially a retail festival for the entire family to enjoy. We are delighted to be hosting CFW’s Retail Week for the second time at One Galle Face Mall. On the build up to Avurudu, we have an action-packed calendar of events and promotions paying tribute to our key themes of Fashion, Wellness, Luxury, and Cuisine.” He also added that the stores and restaurants at Shangri-La have been working hard to put together a show-stopping experience for their guests. “Shangri-La, along with the One Galle Face shopping mall, has put together a set of incentives to attract customers to the mall where shoppers spending over Rs. 2,000 between 19 and 24 March will have a chance to ‘Spin the Wheel’ and win great prizes, while shoppers spending over Rs. 5,000 between 25 March and 11 April will receive an One Galle Face voucher for Rs. 5,000 to spend within the mall.” He also advises customers to download the One Galle Face app, in order to receive some amazing rewards.
HSBC Head of Marketing and Communications Tharanga Gunasekera added that they found a lot of their customers frequently patronise fashion events, which led them to think that we needed to commercialise everything that we’re showcasing, which is how Retail Week was born.
For more information on CFW Retail Week visit the official website: www.colombofashionweek.com.
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PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA