AOD alumni Sri Lankan designers Nithya, Lonali and Prabath dazzle Austria

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AOD International Design Campus, the pioneering design educator offering the world-renowned Northumbria University UK design degrees, has proven its global educational standards by dazzling Austrian catwalks at a worldwide cultural exchange program in design. Three AOD design graduates did Sri Lanka proud on the prestigious ‘Crossing Fashion’ international platform in Austria by leading their sustainable fashion businesses to represent the country.

House of Lonali by Lonali Rodrigo, ‘Nithya’ by Nithya Lamahewa and ‘Prabath’ by Prabath Samarasooriya were featured in the Crossing Fashion gala show in Graz, Austria. Crossing Fashion is devoted to a cultural exchange in design and fashion. The fifth Crossing Fashion project focused on outstanding talent from Sri Lanka and puts the emphasis on sustainability in the textile industry. Three Austrian designers from Pell Mell in cooperation with the Afro-Asian Institute Graz also joined in for the programme with the three design graduates from the AOD. Here, the medium of design was used to convey numerous cultural aspects; cuts, materials and colours differ from continent to continent, from country to country and from region to region. Fashion is an essential aspect of a people’s identity. Against the background of the globalisation of fashion and taste, it has become increasingly interesting to focus on this cultural aspect. The aim of the Crossing Fashion global project series is to promote the intercultural dialogue between designers. British designer Karen MacLeod, principal of AOD International Design Campus made a special statement on this international success: “I’m extremely proud of our graduates who highlight the power of design by crossing borders with fashion. From the comments we received, we know that the apparel and design industry is also refreshed to see the outcomes of the international standard design education, like that of Northumbria at AOD, and they see it as a great value addition to produce an outstanding set of designers who will fly our flag high anywhere in the world.” AOD offers Northumbria’s award-winning, 100% internal degrees in fashion, graphic design, interior design and the newly launched Motion graphics & animation design degree. To find out more call 011 5867772/3 or visit the campus at 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4. To find out more, log on to www.aod.lk or www.facebook.com/aodsrilanka.