Colombo Fashion Council unveils plans to raise Sri Lanka’s fashion industry standards

Advisory Council Members of Colombo Fashion Council, from left: Yasotharan Paramanathan, Dylan Seedin, Damayanthi Wedage, Indi Yapa Abeywardena, Sharmila Dharmarasa Fonseka, Chulpademendra, Prassanna Pathmanathan, Ransley Burrows and Brian Kerkoven

Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Mahela Jayawardene and Colombo Fashion Council President Prassanna Pathmanathan launching the official website

Sri Lanka’s fashion industry witnessed a dawn of a new era with the launch of the Colombo Fashion Council (CFC) recently. The event to celebrate the launch was held at The Office recently with the participation of key personalities from the fashion industry.

An apex body of fashion and design in Sri Lanka, Colombo Fashion Council (CFC) is a non-profit organisation that represents the nation’s fashion industry in the intercontinental fashion show ground, flaunting the best of Sri Lanka’s fashion design to an international audience while identifying the best local design talents. 

Founded on the premise of promoting, inspiring and representing the best fashion and design talents, CFC has built in-roads to uplift the fashion industry in Sri Lanka to reach greater heights and potentials. 

Colombo Fashion Council Founder President Prassanna Pathmanathan presenting the plan for 2020

As the number of students pursuing fashion as a career continues to grow, a newer and increasingly innovative fashion industry has opened up to the possibilities of merging traditional and modern creativity to drive the industry forward. With this in mind, CFC paves the way for the industry to tap into these many potential talents and encourage them to develop their skills in fashion.

The Colombo Fashion Council will comprise of industry powerhouses and inspiring role models who have made significant contributions in their diverse fields of expertise in fashion. Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association Secretary and LiCC Jeans CEO Yasotharan Paramanathan, senior fashion educationalist and fashion consultant Damayanthi Wedage, creative designer Indi Yapa Abeywardena, Leo Burnett Chief Creative Officer Ransley Burrows, TV Derana Director Programming Sharmila Dharmarasa Fonseka, choreographer and pageant trainer Brian Kerkoven, top model Chulpademendra (Chula), leading fashion photographer Dylan Seedin as well as the fashion marketer, incubator, fashion trainer and Colombo Fashion Council President Prassanna Pathmanathan will comprise the team that will play an active role in inspiring and educating Sri Lankan fashion and design talents.

Sharing his thoughts on this initiative, Pathmanathan stated: “If one is passionate about fashion and desires to work in the fashion industry for fashion companies, they need to not only be creative and artistic, but also well educated. Therefore, CFC offers services such as knowledge acquisition and sharing, fashion incubation and promotion as well as fashion training and consultancy. These are some of the exciting plans CFC brings to the Sri Lankan fashion designers in order to bring much-needed development, recognition, preparation and opportunities to establish themselves in the international arena.”

CFC has outlined a number of mechanisms to contribute and support the rapidly emerging fashion industry of Sri Lanka. These include building platforms to showcase talents through annual fashion shows and contests, both locally and internationally, as well as rewarding talents by offering sponsorships, job opportunities and publicity within the industry. Additionally, CFC is now geared to organise initiatives that include introducing international fashion shows and events, award ceremonies, while showcasing the Sri Lankan talent of models and fashion designers with the potential to compete on the international stage.

CFC offers three membership categories – Student, Associate and Lifetime membership. Members will be provided a host of benefits including invitations for seminars, workshops and trainings, opportunity to apply for international collaborations through the Council, facilitation to attend international conferences on trends, design techniques, price benefits on business consultation, branding and market research as well as facilitation for co-branding with other local and international fashion brands. More information can be gathered from www.colombofashioncouncil.lk.