By Venessa Anthony
Dilly and Carlo, a well-known fashion retailer in Sri Lanka that has been successful in both manufacturing and retail for 36 years, is excited to announce its new festive collection for the new year. This collection, which includes items for women, men, and girls, is designed to help customers stand out and make a statement during this special time of year.
The new collection features elegantly-designed women’s dresses, tops, and pants in prints, pastel colours, and batiks, as well as a new stylish range of casual dresses, tops, and pants for girls. The menswear range includes smart casual shirts, chinos, casual tops, and denims to light up the season. Further enhancing their offering for the season, the brand has also launched new styles for evening and party wear.
The Morning Brunch reached out to Dilani Wijeyesekera, the designer behind this latest collection, to learn more about it. When talking about what motivated a collection launch so early in the year, she explained that many find the December and January season to be a special time of the year.
“For most, it is a time where they strengthen their bonds with all their loved ones and enter a brand new year with renewed hope and optimism. I am thrilled to unveil this eye-catching collection, which we believe is a must-have to make the best impression during this festive season as we gather with our family, friends, relatives, and colleagues at all our seasonal get-togethers,” she stated.
We also asked her about the inspiration behind this collection and the message it is meant to send across. Wijeyesekera observed that it is certainly no secret that many girls, whether children or adults, dream of being a fairytale princess. Thus, she said: “This collection is in honour of all those inner princesses looking to spread their wings, get into their gorgeous new clothes, and break free!”
The collection spotlights pastel colours to bolder shades, along with brighter reds, greens, and oranges.
Staying true to the theme of fairies, magic, and princesses, Wijeyesekera told us that they used fabric that seems almost liquid, to bring about a certain airy feeling, and aid the fabric to flow better, making it appear as though it seemingly melts into the soft hems.
She also added that the drapery of the dresses alludes to ancient Greece, which makes those wearing them look like Greek goddesses. The collection is stunning enough to have even Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, wanting one of the pieces, she added. Overall, she noted that the collection manages to be classic with a sophisticated twist that is most princess-like.
For anyone that doesn’t resonate with this aesthetic or prefers a more casual approach, Wijeyesekera told us that Dilly and Carlo offers a wide selection of other designs, from formal to casual wear, evening to sportswear, all created using only high-quality fabrics and expert craftsmanship, to provide customers comfort and style.
“All Dilly and Carlo outlets offer an unmatched shopping experience with modern, spacious showrooms staffed by experienced sales teams who are always ready to advise and help customers to choose the style, look, and fit that flatters them the most,” she told us, adding that no one will leave the store disappointed.
This year, Dilly and Carlo plans to take its pieces to a new level of style, and is eager to launch many more collections to come. Wijeyesekera also revealed that the brand has plans to expand its branch network, and told us to expect a new branch opening soon. It also hopes to expand internationally this year, after strengthening its retail presence.
On a concluding note, Wijeyesekera added: “On behalf of the staff and management, I would like to wish our customers and other stakeholders a happy New Year, and would also like to thank them for being a part of our journey.”