SLFAA celebrates design, innovation and manufacturing excellence

Sri Lanka’s multi-billion dollar fashion manufacturing industry, known to be the largest export revenue maker for the island, is world-renowned for its ethically fortified and environmentally conscious practices. This remarkable industry is also rapidly expanding its strength in design and creative led development. 

As part of the industry’s evolution with the infusion ‘design’, Sri Lanka’s fashion industry is witnessing a boom with more and more local fashion labels, boutiques of hand-made designer wear, runway shows and young, aspiring designers.

These independent fashion brands and boutiques are also gaining vast recognition for their sustainable practices, innovation and international standard yet locally rooted creativity. Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards (SLFAA), celebrates the excellence of these established and emerging businesses on a global platform.

SLDF founder and AOD Managing Directress Linda Speldewinde said: “Our apparel industry’s efforts in combining sustainability and design with cutting-edge fashion making are talked about in the global apparel sphere, more than ever before. Recently, some Sri Lankan fashion brands were selected to show at London Fashion Week 2013 (IFS). Therefore, Sri Lankan fashion and apparel industries are at a very exciting point where the world is starting to notice its uniqueness and potential.”

She also said that, “SLFAA is a timely and essential movement that honours this powerful industry and is an initiative that will undoubtedly propel it forward by recognising their potential.” SLFAA, conceptualised by SLDF will be managed in partnership with the British Council.

British Council Country Director Tony Reilly expressed: “We are delighted to be involved in managing the first ever SLFAA as part of our continued partnership as ‘Knowledge Partner’ for the SLDF. The British Council works to promote the vision of the UK as the world’s creative hub by sharing expertise and experience with other countries worldwide through programs in both emerging economies and developed countries.

“Our involvement with the SLFAA is yet another example of our work through which we demonstrate the importance and power of the creative industries in a country’s economy. We also conduct our own Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Awards, which will take place in Sri Lanka annually, recognising and supporting emerging creative entrepreneurs. Both YCE and SLFAA are programs that aim to develop a powerful professional network between creative entrepreneurs in the world to inspire and facilitate the sharing of best practices in building skills. We are proud to be a part of SLFAA which broadens our work in this area.”

SLFAA will shortlist and award some of the most influential personalities, organisations, partnerships and initiatives that have shaped Sri Lankan fashion and apparel. SLFAA includes nine categories for the year 2013; Individual Designer Awards—Emerging Designer, Sustainable Fashion, Graduate Industry Collaboration and Industry Designer Awards—Design Excellence, Technical Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence, Best ‘Own-Brand’ and Game Changer through Innovation.

Finalists will showcase at the inaugural award ceremony on 13 October. Judging of winners will be carried out by an expert panel of international judges managed by British Council Sri Lanka. The winners will be offered the opportunity to participate in an all expenses paid trip to London, one of the world’s leading fashion capitals. The tailor-made tour of UK’s national fashion industry will include varied exposure covering meetings with retailers, buyers and designers affording valuable networking opportunity with UK’s fashion and retail sector. SLFAA Gala Event, billed to be the premier event celebrating design excellence in Sri Lanka’s fashion and apparel sector, will be a fundraising vehicle contributing towards two scholarships for need-based applicants of the design degree of the Northumbria University at the AOD International Design Campus. For more information, applications and criteria visit www.srilankafashionandapparelawards.com. Applications close on 10 July 2013.