HSBC Colombo Fashion Week 2016 from 20-26 February

From left: Unilever Personal Care Marketing Director Sharmila Bandara, CFW Director Dirk Flamer Caldera, SML Frontier Automotive Director Roshini Fernando, CFW President Ajai V Singh, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Chairman Patrick Gallagher, Hilton Colombo General Manager Manesh Fernando, Ramani Fernando, OLU Tropical Water CEO Amal Wijeyrathne, Vision Care CEO Dasantha Fonseka

By Shannine Daniel

The 2016 edition of HSBC Colombo fashion Week (CFW) will be showcased from 20-26 February, exhibiting the latest fashion trends for season 2017. 

In its 13th year CFW will display the creations of 10 emerging designers, 18 Sri Lankan designers and five international designers. 

CFW President and Founder Ajai Vir Singh revealed that the fashion show was swiftly becoming recognised internationally.

“I am delighted with the 2017 season of CFW. The modest beginnings we made 13 years ago have blossomed into something significant. I am so encouraged when I see the increasing number of young designers who come forward every year with a dream to start their career in fashion through CFW,” stated Singh. 

Since 2014 CFW has strived to develop the fashion retail infrastructure to cultivate and grow the fashion retail industry in Sri Lanka. It has evolved in aspiring towards its goal of elevating the fashion industry within the country, while proving to be an incubator of the emerging talent that is swiftly gaining currency in the country’s retail sector.

Through CFW the Sri Lankan fashion industry has already made its mark in South Asia. Singh is quite confident that with the inspiring new talent as well as the existing designers who have taken their designs to the global arena, Colombo is well on its way to becoming a fashion capital. 

One of the important aspects of this year’s edition of the fashion gala will be the menswear segment which will take place on 25 February. 

“Menswear is becoming more important globally and we want to bring this trend to Sri Lanka as well. I’ve realised that over the last couple of years there’s been significantly less representation in the menswear segment,” emphasised Singh. 

Singh encouraged more menswear designers to come forth and invited existing designers to expand their scope to include menswear thereby introducing a wider range of designs for Sri Lankan men.

Speaking about the structure of the four-day fashion show Singh stated that the 10 emerging designers will showcase their designs on the first day of the show which is 23 February. 

“Every year we dedicate a lot of time for the emerging designers from several universities.  We encourage them with a very structured programme and we make sure that they are given a place at the show. This year we’ve had a lot more bookings for the Emerging Designers Showcase than in the last season and we’re very happy to have them showcase their designs,” he declared. 

The CFW Emerging Designer Fund which was initiated last year plays a notable role in this segment. One designer is chosen to receive the financial support that they need to platform their designs at the Emerging Designer Showcase. 

The main show will happen on day two, 24 February. The international design segment will see the creations of headlined star designers namely, Milan Fashion Week’s, Gaetano Navarra, Delhi based Samant Chauhan, Sri Lankan born Mevan Kaluarachi, and the renowned and long-standing supporter of CFW, Bibi Russel,  who rose to stardom in the late ’70s and early ’80s. 

Singh also went on say that CFW had plans to improve the knowledge base of the fashion industry, via the fashion workshop which is held every season. The workshop catered for both amateur and established photographers will be conducted by celebrity photographer Rid Burman, and it will take place on 25 February along with the Menswear Segment. 

Speaking about the Fashion and Food program which was initiated a few years ago Singh revealed that this year Park Street Mews will be used as the base for the week.  Hilton Colombo and Ikoi Tei at Dutch Hospital will also be a part of the event and a total of seven restaurants will be premiered.   

“The idea is to have activities where we celebrate fashion and the interactions of fashion with other expressions of creativity within the city,” emphasised Singh.  ‘Fashion plus Food’ will run throughout the whole week kick starting from 20 to 28 February, though the show takes place for only four days. 

CFW Frame is also a part of this initiative which began last year and the main purpose behind it was to capture the interaction between art and fashion.  Many art collectives and artists will display their creations in a variety of different mediums. This will happen on 22 February and CFW is working with ARTRA magazine and a group of artists in putting this together. 

Speaking about the models who will participate, CFW Director Dirk Flamer Caldera revealed that mainly mid-range models will be involved in the show; however there are a few international models who are interested in participating and uplifting the industry here. He further stated that a few of our Sri Lankan designers and models have risen to international level, exhibiting their talent at shows like New York Fashion week.  

“Sri Lanka is getting its name out there and it’s really pleasing to see,” opined Caldera. 

The HSBC CFW is one of four fashion shows in Asia that have been running for over a decade and this year HSBC celebrates its ninth year of partnership with CFW.  

“Last year CFW gained international recognition and this year again it would be great to see such a professional show showcased in the country via Fashion TV and other mechanisms,” commented HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Chairman Patrick Gallagher.

Pic by Bhanuka Kirinde