New global dimensions in Lankan apparel excellence at SLDF 2012

Sri Lanka Design Festival’s 2012 edition is taking shape with an all-encompassing portrayal of the best of Sri Lankan apparel and backward integration industries. The many apparel focused events at the festival bring together the outstanding work ethics of ‘garments without guilt’, sustainability, best solutions to shrink the supply chain and costs, international networking opportunities, business to business and most importantly – design.

Big brands and bigger names; apparel celebrities at SLDF

A personality to look out for at SLDF 2012 is Britain’s lingerie queen, Michelle Mone (OBE), whose multi-billion pound lingerie brand MJM International has won her the status of a fashion icon.

The dynamic duo Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson from The Future Laboratory (www.thefuturelaboratory.com) revolutionary trend forecasting, research and brand innovation consultancy who have presented thought-provoking ideas in UK, US, Germany, Australia, Denmark and several more countries across the globe will be speaking at SLDF.

Other influential personalities visiting Sri Lanka for the festival include Kurt Cavano – the CEO of TradeCard – listed among World Trade Magazines world’s 50 most influential people, Stephen Forte – Coats Thread Global Sales Chief, and Mike Todaro, AAPN’s Managing Director, along with David Burnbaum – renowned apparel strategist and author of books like ‘Importing Garments Through Hong Kong¾ - a Guide for the Perplexed’ and the monthly global newsletter ‘The Birnbaum Report’.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) will also be part of SLDF sharing their progress in the ethical fashion sphere. SAC is an industry-wide group of over 60 leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, suppliers, non-profits, and NGOs working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.

SLDF has had some big names taking part in it annually; M&S, Topshop, NEXT, H&M, Warehouse, Ted Baker, Asos and Whistles are just a few. Global supply chain giants taking part in SLDF 2012 include Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Coats Thread and TradeCard, while the top South Asian and local participants pioneering in technology and ethical initiatives while securing some big client names like Victoria’s Secret and Tommy Hilfiger; these include MAS Holdings, Hirdaramani, Brandix, Maliban, Star Garments and Penguin. 2012 has new additions to SLDF with retailers and international apparel makers including PVH, VF Corporation and Monsoon.

Regional solutions by global decision makers; South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum

With over 100 professionals in apparel manufacturing, supply chain services, ethical fashion, retail brands, media and opinion leaders, the second annual South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum (SAALF) will be held this November in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This forum aims to bring together the most essential components of the global apparel industry under an ethical umbrella. A unique aspect of SAALF is the opportunity it provides to engage the new initiatives, cutting-edge technology and sustainable movements of the supply chain with retailers, brands and the services sector on a common platform.

Some hot panel topics discussed at the forums include ‘Battle for cost, battle for capacity.  Who is winning the war?’ ‘Collapsing the value chain – transforming the retailer/manufacturer partnership,’ ‘Collaborative Innovation – cut waste, not creativity’ and also bringing in the crucial ethical front, ‘The Sustainability Imperative – People, Planet & Profit’.

Sustainability towards a global consensus; Sustainable Fashion Symposium

This symposium will have a mix of retailers/brands, manufacturers, educators, journalists, PR specialists, designers, legislators/policymakers brainstorming to find solutions and new insights on sustainable innovation, importance of legislation and product making identifying true consumer needs for sustainability, etc.  

‘The Best of Industry Fashion Show’ featuring the new power tool; design

With a special showcase of the success stories of using ‘design’ as the value addition for apparel manufacturing industry, this fashion show brings together the creative talent of the design studios in MAS Holdings, Brandix, Hirdaramani, Orient Design, Raaksha, Penguin, Voguetex, Union Apparel, Timex , Textured Jersey, Star Garments,RedCocoon, Innovative Knits, Lanka Leather and Maliban. It will also feature retail brands like Barefoot, Buddhi Batiks and Yoland.

With AOD design campus’ international design production, the show promises to be a fantastic display of fashion made in Sri Lanka for global brands like Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger and Nike.

A worldwide story on Sri Lanka; international media at SLDF

The festival is officially partnered by global media giants WGSN network and fashion and apparel media house Just-Style. Indian media IMAGES India also covers the festival. With representatives from each of these organisations at SLDF this November, the forums, fashion shows and the outcomes of the festival are to be heard all over the world.

Networking, speed datingand B2B

As a marked event of the global apparel calendars, the festival is attended by a large number of retailers, sourcing specialists and brands keen to establish links with Sri Lankan apparel makers. The festival organises prescheduled Business-to-Business meetings based on registrations.

As an event that caters to sustainable fashion/apparel networks across the globe, the festival is a hotspot for making business matches between ethical brands and ethical fashion makers. SLDF’s many pre-fashion show cocktails, and fringe events also provide hundreds of informal networking opportunities for those in the business of apparel and fashion.

SLDF was founded by Sri Lanka’s international design campus AOD (www.aod.lk) and is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, EDB and JAAF as the key stakeholders, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau – Tourism Partner, SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline, Mount Lavinia Hotel – Official Host, MAS as the Main Sponsor of Sri Lanka fashion and apparel awards, TradeCard – Official Software Partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – Official Freight and Fashion Logistics, Textured Jersey – Official Fabric Partner, Coats Thread – Official Thread Partner and PrintCare – Official Printer.

The British Council and Goethe Institut are also supporting SLDF as Knowledge Partner and International Programme Partner, while WGSN and JustStyle are promoting the festival internationally as the International Media Partners. SocialMidea is the Official Social Media Partner and Cheryl Gooneratne is the Official Hair and Makeup Partner for the festival.

For reserving tickers, registrations for forums, scheduling B2B meetings and more information reach Sri Lanka Design Festival through its official website www.srilankadesignfestival.com.