HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) is back with its first season for 2022. Taking place from 24 to 26 February at the Shangri-La Colombo, this season centres on the theme “Green Conscious, Earth Sensitive”.
The newest iteration of the sustainably minded fashion platform will see a continued focus on CFW’s sustainable initiatives like the “Responsible Meter” and a greater framework to nurture emerging designers.
This edition will see a total of 23 important Sri Lankan designers showcasing including Charini Suriyage, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Sonali Dharmawardena, Amilani Perera, Fouzul Hameed, Indi Yapa Abeywardena, Asanka De Mel, Dinushi Pamunuwa, Kamil Hewavitharana, Achala Leekoh, Himashi Wijeweera, Divya Jayawickrama, Ayesh Wickramaratne, and Nilusha Maddumage.
Three prominent designers – the famous Pakistani designer Rizwan Beyg, Woolmark Ward winner Suket Dhir, and RimZim Dadu from India – will be part of the line-up, showing in Sri Lanka after a gap of two years. These designers are also part of the knowledge sharing programme with Sri Lankan designers.
A national identity of sustainability
Speaking at the official press conference announcing CFW, its Founder Ajai Vir Singh shared that after two years of a slightly more restricted environment adjusting to the new normal, this year’s CFW will see a more expanded network of collaborations and initiatives. “Post pandemic, fashion has become more sensitive to both environmental and societal impact,” Singh explained, adding: “The Sri Lankan design industry needs a design identity that has sustainability at its core.”
In addition to driving CFW’s “Responsible Meter”, a tool launched last year that requires all CFW designers to rate every garment they produce in terms of environmental and social sustainability and push mindful conversation between creators and customers, this year’s CFW will see newer and bigger links built both environmentally through a partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Preservation Society Sri Lanka (WNPS), and socially, with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Embassy of Italy in Colombo, and Balmond Studio’s newest sustainable beachfront development at South Beach Weligama.
HSBC Sri Lanka joins CFW in its sustainability-driven mission for the 15th consecutive year as part of its global commitment to sustainability. HSBC Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Surgenor shared that this year’s theme of “Green Conscious, Earth Sensitive” resonates strongly with HSBC’s goal to transition to a net-zero global economy. “HSBC wants to play its part,” Surgenor said, adding: “Globally, clothing and fashion is one the most interesting challenges. Being part of the narrative, we can all work together. HSBC is committed to CFW and the clothing and fashion industry in Sri Lanka, and we want to help at all levels.”
In addition to being the title partner of CFW, last year, HSBC launched the HSBC Emerging Designer Fund which they will be continuing this year, choosing five new designers who will be sponsored for a full year to grow their businesses and present collections at CFW in 2023.
Also strongly committed to CFW’s sustainable future focus is its venue partner and official host hotel Shangri-La Colombo, with Shangri-La Colombo and One Galle Face General Manager Herve Duboscq commenting that this year’s theme ties into Shangri-La’s similar values of sustainability and gives Shangri-La “the chance to host our clients in colourful moments of joy in a sustainable manner”.
Pushing environmental and social impact
With Italy being a global fashion leader, Ambassador for Italy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Rita Mannella shared her excitement to partner with CFW. “Collaboration in fashion between countries is very important,” Manella shared, explaining that the Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka has decided to establish the Italy Award for CFW’s most talented emerging designer, with the winner receiving a financial reward and a scholarship to study fashion at a prominent design institute in Milan.
UNFPA representative for Sri Lanka Kunle Adeniyi also spoke about the UNFPA’s commitment to continuing its partnership with CFW in its mission to fight gender-based violence (GBV). “GBV is a universal issue and this collaboration with CFW is an opportunity to reach people within the (fashion industry) value chain,” Adniyi said, noting: “CFW gives us a platform to reach people who don’t have awareness of the issues we’re raising.”
The WNPS partners with CFW for the first time to more effectively drive the agenda of conservation in Sri Lanka. As the world’s third-oldest nature protection society, and the first in Sri Lanka, WNPS was the driving force behind setting up Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation, the national parks we enjoy today, and drafting Sri Lanka’s cornerstone conservation legislature the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. Noting that February has been named the Month of Wetlands as these important ecosystems need attention and preservation, WNPS President Spencer Manuelpillai shared that through its partnership with CFW, the WNPS hopes to find a new way to reach decision-makers and drive decisions around our ecosystem that rethink the long-term impact.
Highlighting the role that Sri Lankan communities have to play in sustainable business and development, Balmond Studio Managing Director John Balmond spoke of Balmond Studio’s work – both past and present – with local communities, to feature Sri Lankan materials, craftsmanship, and talent, a philosophy of which South Beach Weligama is a shining example. Having worked and formed partnerships across many sectors in architecture, design, contemporary art, food and beverage, and arts and events platforms, Balmond shared that the next natural step for Balmond Studio is to form links with fashion, which is what drives their partnership with CFW.
Championing associated industries
Ramani Fernando Salons Founder and CEO Ramani Fernando highlighted CFW’s power as a platform for driving Sri Lanka’s fashion industry and its associated industries, especially in challenging times, saying: “Making shows keeps our industry and businesses going. People are buzzing, and they get ready for these things, which means more and more business for us.” Fernando also shared that this year, Ramani Fernando Salons will be working with a new range of makeup from Sri Lankan-Australian brand Beautybyrosh, with CFW as a platform to introduce this new brand to Sri Lankans. The brand is cruelty-free, vegan, ethical, and sustainable, and works towards creating a more inclusive space in the global beauty community.
Unilever Marketing Manager – Beauty Mihira Kulatunga also spoke of CFW’s ability to drive industries, sharing that Unilever’s eight-year partnership has seen CFW partner with Unilever to launch renowned hair care brand TRESemmé in Sri Lanka.
Vision Care General Manager Harsha Maduranga shared that CFW’s power as a platform enables Vision Care to showcase its large collection of eyewear to a wide range of customers, noting that all Vision Care customers have been able to reach new tiers of eyewear style and comfort through the journey of CFW and its team.
Other partners joining hands this year include Hameedia continuing its unwavering commitment to CFW, Emerging Media as Official Outdoor Digital Media Partner, Media Factory as Official Media Partner, HardTalk as Official PR Partner, and TNL Radio as Official Radio Partner.
Driving change for a better future
Fashion is one of the world’s biggest industries, and will always remain so – it caters to one of our most basic needs, clothing. It is, however, also, one of our most damaging industries, which is why responsibility and sustainability need to play a vital role in redefining the industry, both locally and globally.
As always for CFW, responsibility and sustainability will continue to be its primary focus, and its theme this season “Green Conscious, Earth Sensitive” encapsulates this.
CFW 2022: Green Conscious, Earth Sensitive will take place on 24, 25, and 26 February at the Shangri-La Colombo. The shows will also be streamed live on CFW’s YouTube channel.
For more information, please visit the CFW website.
Website: https://www.colombofashionweek.com
