Triumph Sri Lanka picks winner for TIA 2012 Shanghai

By Cheranka Mendis

The effective use of Zhezhi, the Chinese art of paper folding in a design of brilliant blues received the crowning glory at the fifth National Triumph Inspiration Awards (TIA) last Saturday, paving the path for Senuri Weerawarna to compete in the international TIA in Shanghai this October.

With the theme being ‘dragons and butterflies,’ which are seen as not only quintessential Chinese symbols but also opposing elements, Weerawarna’s creation was titled ‘mystical ventures’ and had 560 pieces of Zhezhi on cloth attached to a shoulder cape which was a highlight of the design.

“I am so happy to receive this award. We have all worked so hard and to receive such recognition at the end of it is both rewarding and exhilarating,” a beaming Weerawarna said.

Commenting on her winning design, she stated that with 2012 being the year of the dragon in the Chinese calendar, her focus and attention was on the decorations that light up the city.

“This is why I used this particular form of art. I have combined the scales, fire and the special effects of the dragon with the texture and pattern of a butterfly.” She expressed that the colour red was added to represent the dragon as well as to add colour to the design which was primarily based on shades of blue.

Along with Weerawarna, six others studying at Academy of Design competed for the opportunity to showcase their designs in Shanghai.

Veena Jayakody’s ‘after shock,’ a design playing tribute to women who have lost their men during the earthquakes who have no choice but to turn from a sheltered butterfly to a dragon with strength to carry on won the second place at the competition. The beautiful ‘golden scale concord’ “power suit” of Vishan Gunawardena won third place with its subtle colours with the intricate designs in gold accentuating prosperity and good luck.  

The colourful design of Dilki Weerasinghe with the fleeing 3D butterflies from the mouth of the dragon won the Facebook voting contest with 665 likes as at 6 p.m. last Saturday.

The others who took part were Melani Grey with her design titled ‘contrast between dragon and butterfly,’ Sheshadri Nithyanathan with ‘enwrap outburst’ and Nethmi Rajapaksa with ‘phenomenal reality’.

The competition was judged by model and singer Natasha Ratnayake, famed designer, hairstylist and makeup artist Micheal Wijesooriya, celebrated hairdresser Ramani Fernando, MAS Design Studio Head of Innovation Nadeeka Liyanage and MAS Design Studio Design Manager Poornima Wijendra.

Triumph Sri Lanka and India General Manager Shalindra Fernando speaking at the event noted that the TIA honours fantastic design and engineering excellence across countries with the award presentation. “This has become a fixed element in the fashion calendar in many countries and goes on to empower and celebrate the young designers of the world.”

The opportunity was given to students from Academy of Design this year to display their talents and artistic vision through conceptualised lingerie showpieces, Fernando said. MAS Design Studios provided support in every form to the designers to bring to life the ideas sketched on the drawing board. “At Triumph Sri Lanka we wholeheartedly participate in supporting design and engineering excellence.”

Plans for the future include developing and expanding the present range, he said with four key product launches during 2012.



Pix by Nirmala Dhananjaya