Colombo Fashion Week in 2016 to expand retail focus, introduce menswear segment

Wednesday, 13 January 2016 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HSBC Colombo Fashion Week in its 13th year will continue to expand its focus on fashion retail to create more commerce for Sri Lankan designers. This has become the focal point of CFW since 2014, as there was a need to build commercial proposition for Sri Lankan designers. fh

The Season 2017 Spring/Summer edition of Colombo Fashion Week is planned for 23-26 February 2016 at the Hilton Colombo. This season, CFW introduces for the first time a dedicated segment of menswear; this is in line with the global trend of growth in menswear segment. 

“Menswear is becoming important globally and this trend is being witnessed in Sri Lanka as well. In line with that, we urge more menswear designers to come forth and encourage existing designers to expand their scope to include menswear. We are focused on creating more retail and commercial opportunities for Sri Lankan designers, hence we keep innovating and experimenting,” says Colombo Fashion Week President and Founder Ajai V. Singh.

CFW, as it is popularly known, is the backbone of Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry that has singularly maintained its key objective of uplifting Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry by creating development and retail opportunities.

“We want to continue the momentum in fashion retail as there is vast scope in this area at present. Every year, we introduce interesting elements that will help the fashion designers and the industry at large. As a developmental platform, we have made impact in this region,” says Singh

Colombo Fashion Week is one of four fashion weeks in Asia which is over 10 years old and is one of the most important fashion weeks in South Asia. In the past, it has shown important designers from South Asia, Europe and the United States. Another interesting statistic is that over 90% of current Sri Lankan designers are a product of CFW designer’s development process.

Throughout the year, CFW also organises CFW Day at leading fashion schools in Sri Lanka with the aim of educating and orienting young design students with practical knowledge of the fashion design industry. There will be shows for emerging designers to showcase new talent, which will then be shown on the main platform next year as they develop. Colombo Fashion Week will also award CFW Designer Fund to one young designer with high potential. This is to encourage and support young designers to stand on their feet in the world of fashion.

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