SL Fashion & Apparel Awards to celebrate design-driven innovation

Great design is at the heart of innovation. Initiated in 2013, the Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards aims to recognise the next generation in fashion leading the crucial breakthroughs in innovation and design; this includes Sri Lanka’s multi-billion dollar apparel industry and the up-and-coming fashion retail and design sector. 

The bi-annual event returns for 2015 this November and will recognise the best talent available from one of the world’s most uniquely interesting and emerging fashion industries. It is organised and hosted by Sri Lanka Design Festival 2015.

The competition not only encourages the creative element in fashion, but has a special focus on innovation in fabrics, treatments and solutions. This is especially important for a world that is increasingly persistent that the fashion industry greatly reduces the damage it inflicts on the environment. 

The latest innovations in fashion across the world are a response to these issues and are exploring new ideas and innovations such as AirDye which uses air for fabric dyeing – saving tons of water, recycled synthetic fabric from discarded plastic, smart tailoring that uses technology to map clothing on body and wearable technology that merge fashion with healthcare and information super-tech. 

In Sri Lanka too, these innovations are taking place spearheaded by local apparel leaders and emerging talent; during the 2013 Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards, there were several such game-changers recognised including fashion that merged Ayurveda and technology, wearable electronics and equipment that promoted super-accurate colour for fabric, thread and dyeing.

SLFAA includes 10 categories for the year 2015; Emerging Designer Award is one that recognises the rising stars in Sri Lankan fashion under the age of 35yrs. The Sustainable Fashion Award meanwhile celebrates design talent that ties creative flair with sustainability. 

Highlighting the importance of unique applicative research and development efforts that bridge the gap between academia and industry, the award Student/Graduate-Industry Collaboration will accept applications for such collaborative projects. 

An important component of any growing fashion eco-system, the upcoming fashion brands will be recognised by Best Own-Brand Award. The awards open to the local apparel industry include Industry Young Blood Award for the fresh design talent under 35 years contributing to the local apparel industry. 

Originality and the critical attention to details and finish in casualwear will be celebrated by Design & Detail Excellence in Casualwear Award. Design & Technical Excellence in Constructed Apparel Award is for unique materials, technology and construction techniques in fashion for sports, intimate, foundation and tailored fashion. 

Going hand in hand with fashion, the event will pay tribute to outstanding construction and sustainable practices in footwear, bags, scarves, belts or jewellery with the Specialist Product and Accessories Award. Best Industry Own-Brand Award will recognise successful fashion labels created under apparel industry parent companies. 

Turning the spotlight to innovation, the Game Changer through Innovation Award aims to encourage entries of break-through innovation, strategic solutions that have changed the course of fashion design, development and production. The applications will close on 10 July.

“Sri Lankan fashion and apparel has been undergoing a transformative period in the last decade. With design integration helped by AOD, SLDF and other pioneers, as well as the visionary take on sustainability and technology by the industry’s leaders, Sri Lankan fashion reached a very exciting phase in the last few years outputting some extraordinary innovations, talent and product. In 2013 we felt it is time to celebrate these extraordinary developments and the outstanding talent behind it. In 2015 we return to recognise the progress the industry has made in the last two years,” said Karen MacLeod, Design Director of Sri Lanka Design Festival/Sri Lanka Fashion & Apparel Awards.

Finalists will showcase at the glamorous Award Ceremony on 28 November held as part of Sri Lanka Design Festival. Judging of winners will be carried out by an expert panel of international judges managed by SLDF. The winners will be offered the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses paid trip to Istanbul Fashion Week 2016, one of the world’s most newly-anticipated fashion events. The partners of this prestigious showcase are Sri Lanka Apparel and Daily FT.

For more information, applications and criteria please visit: www.srilankafashionandapparelawards.com. Applications close on 10 July.