Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday, 10 March 2026 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: Sampath Bank Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Sanjaya Gunawardana, DIMO Executive Director Rajeev Pandithage, AOD Founder and Chairperson Linda Speldewinde, and Colombo Hotels Senior Vice President and Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams General Manager Kamal Munasinghe
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFW Sri Lanka) has unveiled an ambitious three-year strategic roadmap through 2028, signalling strong institutional confidence in the country’s fashion and creative economy. The announcement confirms key long-term partnerships and provides the market with forward visibility as the platform continues to position Colombo as an emerging creative capital in South Asia.
The upcoming editions of MBFW Sri Lanka are scheduled for:
The multi-year calendar reinforces the platform’s stability and international intent, enabling designers, buyers, media, and global collaborators to plan with greater confidence.
AOD–DIMO alliance powers next phase of growth
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka continues to be presented by AOD and powered by DIMO, a partnership that has steadily strengthened the platform’s global credibility and operational scale.
DIMO, the only Authorised agent for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, plays a pivotal role in connecting the local platform to the wider Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ecosystem worldwide. The deepening collaboration between AOD and DIMO signals a shared long-term commitment to elevating Sri Lanka’s fashion industry onto the regional and global stage.
AOD and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka Founder and Chairperson Linda Speldewinde said: “This three-year announcement reflects confidence, continuity, and global ambition. With the strong support of our partners and our deepening partnership with DIMO, we are building Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka into a serious regional platform that creates sustained opportunity for the industry.”
Mercedes-Benz deepens its Sri Lanka footprint
Under the three-year roadmap, the Mercedes-Benz platform in Sri Lanka will continue to expand its integration across fashion, design, mobility, and future lifestyle conversations.
The initiative builds on the global Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week philosophy of intelligent luxury and innovation, positioning Sri Lanka as an increasingly important node within the wider network.
Future editions will focus on:
Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams as Official Host Venue
Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams as the Official Host Venue, places MBFW Sri Lanka at the centre of Colombo’s most significant integrated lifestyle development.
The collaboration reflects strong alignment between MBFW Sri Lanka’s global ambitions and Cinnamon Life’s positioning as a premier destination for culture, entertainment, and luxury experiences. Both organisations will work closely to deliver an elevated October 2026 edition while continuing to explore future opportunities as the platform scales regionally.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka has already played a pivotal role in activating Cinnamon Life’s cultural and lifestyle positioning during its landmark opening phase. As one of the property’s early flagship fashion and design showcases, the platform contributed to shaping Cinnamon Life’s identity as a destination for contemporary fashion, creativity, and global lifestyle experiences in Colombo. The collaboration demonstrated how a globally recognised brand such as Mercedes-Benz, together with AOD and DIMO, could bring strong creative energy at a defining moment in its journey. Building on this momentum, the continued partnership further strengthens Cinnamon Life’s positioning as a leading hub for fashion, design, and future-facing cultural programming in Sri Lanka. Together, the partnership aims to continue bringing world-class fashion and design experiences to Cinnamon Life, reinforcing its emergence as Colombo’s premier fashion and lifestyle destination.
Sampath Bank Private Banking anchors partnership
At the forefront of the announcement is Sampath Bank Private Banking, continuing as the Official Banking Partner, reflecting the bank’s sustained commitment to supporting platforms that shape Sri Lanka’s evolving creative economy. This ongoing collaboration signals a growing recognition of fashion and design as meaningful contributors to the country’s economic and cultural landscape.
Through this partnership, Sampath Bank Private Banking will support the platform’s continued expansion while helping unlock new commercial opportunities across fashion, retail, and creative entrepreneurship, reinforcing its role in enabling sectors that influence contemporary lifestyle and aspiration.
As the Official Banking Partner of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank Private Banking aligns with a shared vision centred on innovation, ambition, and the advancement of Sri Lanka’s emerging luxury and lifestyle economy. In parallel with the growth of its Premier Banking proposition for a new generation of discerning clients, this partnership provides a considered platform to engage with the country’s expanding creative and professional communities. The collaboration reflects the Bank’s forward-looking approach, positioning Premier Banking not merely as a financial offering, but as a gateway to experiences that resonate with fashion, design, and modern lifestyle aspirations.
Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., Exclusive Media Partner
Strengthening the platform’s national reach, Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., has been appointed Official Exclusive Media Partner for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka.
Through this partnership, the event will receive extensive multi-platform coverage across the Wijeya media network, including the Daily FT, The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Times and The Sun, Hi!! Magazine, Daily Mirror Online, Hi!! TV and Hi!! Online. The collaboration ensures strong editorial visibility, lifestyle positioning, and nationwide audience engagement in the lead-up to and during the event.
This strategic media alignment further reinforces MBFW Sri Lanka’s position as the country’s most internationally connected fashion platform.
Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., has been a valued supporter of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka since its inception, playing an important role in amplifying the platform’s national visibility and cultural relevance. As the Wijeya media network evolves into a new-age, fully integrated multimedia powerhouse, strengthening its digital, online, and next-generation content capabilities while continuing to enhance its strong print legacy, the partnership enters a new phase of strategic alignment.
Building toward a regional creative future
With confirmed dates through 2028 and a strengthened coalition of strategic partners, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka is entering a new phase of structured growth.
The platform continues to evolve beyond the runway into a broader ecosystem spanning fashion, design, retail, tourism, and creative technology, supporting Sri Lanka’s wider ambition to grow its creative economy and position Colombo firmly on the regional creative map.
Preparations are now underway for the October 2026 edition at Cinnamon Life, where MBFW Sri Lanka is expected to introduce expanded regional collaborations and new public programming aligned with its evolving Colombo narrative.
