The Unlabelled Runway: A laudable initiative toward inclusion continues its trailblazing journey

By Uma Chandrasiri

“The Unlabelled Runway”, a social impact driven fashion show that will celebrate inclusion, resilience, belonging and individuality will take place on the 25 September at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo amidst an expected distinguished gathering of corporate leaders, designers, celebrated personalities, influencers and media.

Presented by Caroline J Global Holdings in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, the Roshan Mahanama Trust, India Cancer Trust and Child Action Lanka, the second consecutive showcasing of “The Unlabelled Runway” strives to shift the conventional narrative of a fashion show and use the platform as a steppingstone to challenge societal stigma and needless labels and foster representation and empathy. This unique fashion show will see young adults from the partner organisations, persons with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors walk the ramp alongside professional models, public personalities and designers.

Speaking at a recent press conference at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Caroline J Global Holdings Ltd. Founder and Chairperson and former Mrs World 2020, Caroline Jurie said: “we live in a world where people are straddled with labels based on appearance, circumstances and backgrounds but I vehemently believe that no label should ever define a person. Through ‘The Unlabelled Runway’, together with the partnering organisations, we strive towards a singular goal which is to disperse with the societal labelling of these young lives and instead, uplift and empower them. Fashion can be a platform that transcends a mere showcasing of beauty. It can create visibility, boost confidence and start conversations that matter. Our dream is to encourage these young adults who are a part of “The Unlabelled Runway” to dream big, to shatter stereotypes and to know with certainty that they have a place to shine.” Jurie confirmed that 50 percent of the total proceeds from the event will be contributed to the partnering organisations. She also launched the official Caroline J Global Holdings website, creating a dedicated digital platform to showcase the company’s work across the spheres of fashion, talent and beauty and purpose driven initiatives such as “The Unlabelled Runway”.

The Roshan Mahanama Trust Founder and former Sri Lankan legendary cricketer Roshan Mahanama who was instrumental in bringing the charity “Child Action Lanka” to partner with “The Unlabelled Runway” identified himself as the conduit between the Indira Cancer Trust, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and Child Action Lanka with the initiative. “Through our trust, we support a marginalised segment of children who have been physically and sexually abused and who do not have a voice. Unfortunately, these children cannot join “The Unlabelled Runway” since they are not allowed to do so” he said. The Roshan Mahanama Trust is an organisation dedicated to empowering underprivileged children of Sri Lanka through education, health and wellbeing, safety and security and emergency intervention. The Trust works towards achieving their goals in collaboration with the SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, Suwa Arana, Sri Lanka’s first palliative care facility for children with cancer and Ayati trust Sri Lanka, the island’s first centre for children with disabilities and has been instrumental in launching two centres aptly called ‘lama piyasa’ as shelters for physically and sexually abused children.

Indira Cancer Trust Chairperson and trustee Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake informed the gathering that the trust was set up ten years ago by her father, former parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya, following the demise of her younger sister Indira who succumbed to breast cancer. “Breast cancer is the commonest form of cancer in Sri Lanka, and we have daily averages of 3 deaths and 15 new diagnoses”. Dr. Dissanayake expressed gratitude to the organisers of “The Unlabelled Runway” for creating a platform where the stereotypical definition of beauty is challenged and allowing cancer patients such as a girl who has lost a leg, another with severe facial discolouration due to chemotherapy, walk a ramp and shine at least for one night, despite all their handicaps. She further highlighted a special “pink runway” which will form a part of the 25 September fashion show dedicated towards raising breast cancer awareness and highlighting the courage and resilience of those affected by the disease.

SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka Deputy National Director and Director - Programs Dhananjaya Perera lamented the fact that currently there are over 750 young children under the care of SOS Children’s Villages spread across the country. “As the largest childcare organisation caring for children without parental care or facing the risk of losing parental care, SOS Children’s Villages have fostered approximately 45,000 children over the last 45 years. What we face daily is a tragedy for which we try to find solutions every day and opportunities such as these are a blessing for our children to gain confidence, much needed visibility and acceptance” he said.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo General Manager Dushyantha Tittawella assured the groups’ continued support for this valued project as the hospitality partner of “The Unlabelled Runway”. MB Technologies Chief Operating Officer Kalhara Senanayake reiterated that as the official IT partner of the event, MB Technologies was immensely pleased to be a part of a drive aimed at shattering barriers and creating a space for inclusion. 

University of Sri Jayawardenapura student group ISACA will collaborate with “The Unlabelled Runway” as the youth networking partner and PickMe (Sri Lanka) as the official ticketing partner. Concluding the event, Caroline J Holdings Co-Founder and Director Kusal Perera reminisced about the previous years’ show that garnered immense interest from many established corporates toward uplifting the lives of these marginalised young people and expressed fervent hope that the same momentum will continue. “For these children, the opportunity to be a part of “The Unlabelled Runway” could be the greatest of their lives” he added.

Commenting on the necessary governmental and parental consent regarding the visibility of these children on a public platform, Dhananjaya Perera and Dr. Lanka Dissanayake assured the audience that all necessary approvals from child protection authorities and parents have been obtained. 

As “The Unlabelled Runway” kicks off on the 25  September, the evening will feature a VIP reception and a cocktail networking experience. Tickets for the event are currently available via PickMe events in the PickMe application. 

Launch of Caroline J Global Holdings website