Ethically fashionable

By Cheranka Mendis

Sri Lanka’s leading apparel industry holders put up their best designs on the ramp at the Sri Lanka Design Festival –industry fashion show on Saturday. The fashion show also opened its ramp to the eight semifinalists of the inaugural SLDF Ethical Fashion Award to showcase their creations. Among the nine, Ratini Sooriyarachchi won the award for the Ethical Fashion lingerie award while three winners were chosen for the ready to wear category- the winners were Lonalie Rodrigo, Mihiri de Silva and Kanchana Dalupaweera.

The audience also witnessed the unveiling of brand new collections from Sri Lanka’s top designers and brands working with crafts and other elements in the local heritage. The designers featured included Barefoot, Anupama Nawalage, Kalaro, Buddhi Batiks and Yoland. The fashion show also saw the launch of R.E.D. - Sri Lanka;s first ethical fashion label.

Adding yet another interesting aspect to the agenda the International Young Fashion Entrepreneur award given by the British Council to recognise and motivate young designers in Sri Lanka was awarded to Kasuni Rathnasuriya under her brand KUR. She was nominated for the award along with Sandun de Silva and Ahamed Farook. The award which is in its fourth year has applauded the works of the likes of Dharshi Keerthisena in 2008 and Linda Speldewinde in 2009. The winner, Ratnasuriya will go on a tailor made tour event to UK funded by the British Council.

Pix by Dinuka Liyanawatte