- Colombo Fashion Week to hold special edition at Galle Face Hotel on 17 November
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The special edition of CFW will focus on sustainable luxury and explore an opportunity to increase the value of products through craftsmanship. The collection will comprise luxury, occasion, and wedding wear, which the CFW believes will create a positive vibe for the creative and design industry at present.
This special edition of CFW aims to focus on craftsmanship in design creation, leading to sustainable luxury. The event will showcase eight designers, including Darshi Keerthisena of Buddhi Batiks, Charini Suriyage, Sonali Dharmawardena, Fouzul Hameed, Aslam Hussain, Lovi Ceylon, and Dinushi Pamanuwa. The designers are set to unveil their seasonal collections at the CFW Luxury Edition.
In addition to this, Luxury Talks will explore the importance of craftsmanship in sustainable and responsible luxury, with two personalities who create luxury products for local and international markets exploring the topic. The discussion aims to broaden the perspective of Sri Lankan design entrepreneurs to create high value design products, the CFW states.
Luxury Edition
Addressing the media yesterday (3), Colombo Fashion Week Managing Director Ajai Vir Singh explained that the Luxury Edition will focus on increasing the luxury portions of the designers.
“This edition is special, in a way. While Sri Lanka is going through tough times, but coming out of it, we realised that we need to create a certain identity with a focus on craftsmanship, because craftsmanship is what gets converted into luxury.”
This led them to take the narrative and perspective of luxury stemming from the resources available in Sri Lanka, looking at how designers can use these resources to enhance their brands of luxury.
Singh went on to say that luxury, though seemingly far and distant, often stems from small craft-based stores or villages, with brands built thereafter. This applies to many global brands, he said, questioning why we can’t do this here as well.
Luxury is personalisation and craftsmanship, Singh went on to say, adding: “Every time craftsmanship is involved in any design product, it develops an identity for the country.”
Colombo Fashion Week will thus shine the spotlight on local craftsmanship and resources as it aims to redefine luxury.
Event partners
Taking the luxury up a notch at the CFW event is Nations Trust Bank, which is on board with American Express as an official fashion card. Speaking on the special partnership with fashion, Nations Trust Bank Chief Marketing Officer Sanjaya Senarath said the Nations Trust Bank American Express card supports the luxury lifestyle of its card members.
“We are proud to announce our association with CFW Luxury Edition 2022 as the official fashion card. This year’s CFW is about focusing on personalisation and craftsmanship and it goes in perfect harmony with what the bank and also American Express is all about. We strive to give personalisation through our American Express cards plus our private banking services, which is the network banking proposition from Nations Trust Bank,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vision Care Optical Services General Manager Harsha Maduranga spoke about the brand’s role as eyewear partner for Colombo Fashion Week, stating: “Vision Care has been the premier eyewear solution partner for CFW, and we as a company have over 60 outlets across the country. We pretty much cover the whole island with our network of opticians. We support different communities and different people on a day-to-day basis.”
Heritage architecture meets luxurious design
The official hospitality partner of CFW Luxury Edition is Galle Face Hotel, adding a touch of heritage architecture to the luxurious designs to be showcased at the event. Sharing how delighted they are to be the official hospitality partner, Galle Face Hotel General Manager Daniel Grau said: “Once again we thank the CFW for this opportunity. We look forward to hosting this event on 17 November.”
“We will also have an after party at Firebeach after the show. We very much look forward to this very special event and hope all have a very good time,” he added.
Luxury set in stone
Colombo Jewellery Stores is on board as the official jewellery partner for the CFW Luxury Edition, and will also be partnering with Darshi Keertisena of Buddhi Batiks at the show. Colombo Jewellery Stores Managing Director Akram Cassim explained that they have partnered with CFW for around 20 years, and are delighted to be back after not participating in events for a few years.
“Colombo Jewellery Stores has been providing luxury jewellery for Sri Lankans for the past 100 years. We have been innovative, creating associations with the environmental projects we undertake, and also with craftsmanship. Craftsmanship is the main thing that has helped us grow and survive for 100 years, and keep adding to fashion,” Cassim said.
He added: “Sri Lanka is known for sapphires, it is the oldest source of blue sapphires in the world, with a history of over 2,300 years. We have been at the forefront of promoting sapphires around the world and to Sri Lankans.”
Hair and makeup partner
Ramani Fernando Salons has been part of the Colombo Fashion Week since its inception, and Founder Ramani Fernando said it has been a great journey. The team always looks forward to CFW events, she said, going on to congratulate CFW Managing Director Ajai Vir Singh for coming up with the idea to hold a Luxury Edition this year.
Adding that this is the best time to hold an event of this nature, Fernando said: “To come up with this at a time like this, and before the season, I think, is a very good idea, and I’m sure it will be a great show. I’m happy it’s just one day this time because, as you all know, products are very difficult to get these days, but I’m sure we’ll come out of it very soon.”