Colombo fashion week
Sri Lanka, a renowned destination for travellers, has quickly emerged as a vibrant destination on the global fashion map, with a growing community of designers and creatives contributing to its unique, lasting impact on the industry. At the forefront of this movement is Colombo Fashion Week, one of South Asia’s most prominent fashion events, showcasing the country’s rich heritage and innovative future. This annual event has become a key platform for the development of fashion in Sri Lanka, enabling designers to display their craftsmanship, creativity, and dedication to accountability in fashion.
Through Colombo Fashion Week and other significant fashion exhibitions, Sri Lanka’s design scene is gaining recognition for its authenticity and commitment to sustainable practices.
The country’s fashion scene is a vibrant tapestry, blending traditional artistry with modern aesthetics, resulting in a fashion experience that is both eclectic and forward-thinking. By spotlighting various aspects of fashion—from artisanal crafts to cutting-edge designs—Sri Lanka has positioned itself as a creative force in the region.
Colombo Fashion Week not only celebrate local talent but also connect Sri Lankan designers to the broader fashion world, cementing the nation’s role as a burgeoning fashion hub. This dedication to ethical practices, craftsmanship, and cultural representation has solidified Sri Lanka’s reputation in the fashion industry, offering a model of innovation and accountability for others to follow.
Juniper x Colombo Fashion Week 2024
Colombo Fashion Week, widely knowns as CFW, founded by Ajai Vir Singh, recently celebrated its 21st year in the fashion design industry, marking a significant milestone in promoting ethical fashion and sustainable fashion.
While the show itself is often seen as the tip of the iceberg, it represents the culmination of a year-round effort to build networks within the fashion landscape of Sri Lanka. This platform has played a crucial role in transforming Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry, focusing on responsibility in fashion rather than the fast fashion trends we are often exposed to.
CFW fosters a vibrant community centered around sustainable fashion, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative practices to the local market. The event magnificently showcases Sri Lanka’s cultural richness, highlighting its diversity and creativity, which are essential components of the country’s unique fashion identity.
Sponsors
Our partnership with Colombo Fashion Week began in November 2022, coinciding with the unveiling of our rebranded logo for Juniper Group at the official press conference. As the official real estate partner, we have greatly benefited from being part of this platform, which aligns with our commitment to sustainability.
The creativity and drive to evolve our business models toward more sustainable practices have been some of the most rewarding aspects of this collaboration. Additionally, our Juniper Group clients appreciate being invited to this prestigious, invite-only fashion week, enhancing their experience with our brand.
This platform not only highlights emerging designers in Sri Lanka but also showcases global trends that extend beyond fashion into the broader realm of design—an area we, as a real estate developer, are eager to explore and expand upon.
Esteemed Title partner – MasterCard
Real estate partner– Juniper group
Eyewear partner – Vision Care
Haircare partner / Official hair– Ramani Fernando [longstanding affiliation]
Make-up partner– Ramani Fernando
Wealth Management partner– NDB Wealth Management
Confectionery partner– Chupa Chups
Hotel partners – Galle Face Hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotels, Taj Samudra Hotel
Media Partner – Hi Online
Other longstanding affiliations – Hameedia
Fashion Designers
Some of the prominent Sri Lankan Designers
Buddhi Batiks: Reviving Tradition with Modern Aesthetics
Darshi Keerthisena De Livera, as the creative director of Buddhi Batiks, is at the forefront of preserving and innovating the batik craft in Sri Lanka. Known for blending contemporary fashion with traditional batik techniques, Darshi has also introduced digital technology to bring batik patterns into high-quality digital printing. Buddhi Batiks operates as an ethical fashion enterprise, creating handmade batik fabrics, apparel, and accessories, while also offering digitally printed designs on recycled fabrics using waterless dye processes. The handmade batiks are crafted in the Koswadiya village workshop, employing local women artisans, some of whom have been part of Buddhi Batiks since its founding in 1972. These artisans are considered the cornerstone of Darshi’s vision, embodying the heart and heritage of the brand.
Charini Suriyage: Sustainable Elegance
Charini Suriyage is a name synonymous with sustainable fashion in Sri Lanka. Her eponymous brand focuses on ethical practices, using organic materials and employing local artisans to create stunning pieces that are both stylish and environmentally friendly. Charini’s designs often feature minimalist silhouettes adorned with hand-embroidered details, reflecting her belief in the beauty of simplicity. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a passion for sustainability, Charini Suriyage has become a role model for aspiring designers, demonstrating that fashion can be both chic and responsible.
Asanka de Mel for LOVI
Asanka de Mel founded LOVI with the vision of creating a fashion brand that authentically represents Sri Lanka’s unique culture and identity, sharing the essence of the island, its people, and its heritage with the world. Dedicated to both the development of Sri Lanka and to establishing LOVI as a global brand, Asanka brings a bold, transformative approach to the industry. Prior to launching LOVI, Asanka spent over 20 years in the U.S. technology sector, working in Silicon Valley and New York City. He holds a degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas, Austin.
Amilani Perera: A Contemporary Voice
Amilani Perera’s women’s wear label is celebrated in Sri Lanka for its distinct, bespoke designer pieces. The brand has showcased consistently at Colombo Fashion Week since 2013, establishing a strong presence in the Sri Lankan fashion industry. Amilani Perera was also the sole Sri Lankan designer featured at the prestigious Asian Designer Week in New Delhi, India, in November 2016. Her reach extended to New York in 2017, where she presented her Spring/Summer 2017 Collection at USA – SRI LANKA Fashion Week. Additionally, she serves as the official designer for Airport & Aviation of Sri Lanka, further solidifying her influence in both fashion and corporate design. She strives to make a positive impact in the fashion industry.
Kamil for Limak: Modern Luxury Meets Cultural Heritage
Kamil, the designer behind the luxury brand Limak, epitomizes modern elegance infused with cultural heritage. His designs are characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, often incorporating traditional Sri Lankan motifs into contemporary silhouettes. Kamil’s collections celebrate the island’s artisanal techniques while appealing to a global audience seeking luxury fashion. By bridging the gap between heritage and modernity, Kamil for Limak is reshaping the perception of Sri Lankan fashion on the international stage.
International Designers- Asian fashion
Payal Pratap
“Payal Pratap” is the eponymous label of designer Payal Pratap Singh, established in 2012. Her designs embody the essence of a modern and independent woman who is both sensitive and appreciative of artisanal craftsmanship. The brand emphasizes that clothing is an expression of one’s personal universe, with sartorial choices reflecting individuality and lifestyle. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted with a commitment to nature and respect for artisans, resulting in a fusion line that is both eminently wearable in India and beyond, transcending specific fashion trends. The Payal Pratap woman is confident, adventurous, and eco-conscious. The brand champions timeless elegance and rustic exuberance, grounded in craftsmanship and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of various regions across India’s diverse landscape.
Manoviraj Khosla
Founded in 1990, the Manoviraj Khosla brand is renowned for its exclusive, chic couture and prêt-à-porter collections for both men and women. Known for impeccable tailoring and meticulous attention to detail, the brand creates versatile clothing suited for diverse occasions and individuals from various backgrounds. Manoviraj Khosla works with an extensive range of fabrics, from airy cotton, organza, silk, and linen to rich materials like leather, suede, wool, and velvet. The brand’s hallmark is its continual experimentation with fabric textures and treatments, resulting in distinctive, original designs. In addition to individual couture and prêt-à-porter orders, Manoviraj Khosla also designs uniforms for corporate clients, hotels, airlines, and private yachts, showcasing its adaptability across various industries.
Afsana Ferdousi
Afsana Ferdousi is a prominent Bangladeshi fashion designer known for her distinct approach to contemporary fashion that intertwines traditional Bangladeshi artistry with modern silhouettes. Her work emphasizes sustainable design, often incorporating natural fabrics and eco-friendly practices, reflecting her commitment to ethical fashion. Afsana’s designs celebrate Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, featuring intricate embroidery, handwoven textiles, and vivid colors that tell stories of her roots while appealing to a global audience. With a reputation for elegance and innovation, she continues to make a mark in the fashion industry, bringing Bangladeshi craftsmanship to the forefront of international fashion.
The venue
This year’s Colombo Fashion Week brought new vibrancy to Galle Road, transforming it into a lively runway of style and culture. The event began at the iconic Galle Face Hotel, a venue rich with colonial charm, where emerging designers showcased their collections on the first night. The second evening moved to the elegant Taj Samudra Hotel, where the grand marquee with beautiful ocean views created a dramatic setting for an unforgettable showcase. The third and fourth nights were held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, also located along Galle Road, further cementing this bustling thoroughfare as the center of Sri Lanka’s premier fashion event.
2024 Fashion week photos
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