Colombo here we come

Fashion aficionados young and not so young, would be happy to know that Colombo is preparing for the third in a series of vibrant fashion shows- the Colombo Fashion Week, which will be held on January 27, 28 and 29 at the Taj Samudra. An eagerly anticipated event, the Colombo Fashion Week has been and promises to be an event in which fashion designers can display their creativity and style. As many as 15 fashion shows will be held over the three days, and three young and upcoming fashion designers will unveil their labels.

The Colombo Fashion Week will feature the work of 14 fashion designers, with six high profile designers from the region taking part as special guests. Sponsor of the show is HSBC whose CEO David Griffiths said they are honoured to be involved in the Colombo Fashion Week. "We have been in Sri Lanka for 150 years now, and we have always strived to be a part of the Sri Lankan fabric. Sponsoring this event helps us do just that," he said.

For the first time in its three year history, the organizers will be working closely with the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the apex body of the industry, whose membership represents the apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka and the lifestyle brand ODEL.

This year's fashion show also includes a business and commercial aspect to its original format. The past few years have seen an increased interest in the field of fashion, and the event aims to showcase the talent and potential the country possesses. Ajai Singh, a member of the organizing committee said, "With this international scope and recognition, the aim of the show is to strengthen the importance and sensitivity of fashion design to the apparel industry and the opportunities for successful fashion designers. With this rise in the creative fields all over the world, it should only allow for improved aspirations of young designers from all backgrounds in Sri Lanka with a realistic possibility of having a career in fashion design."

The Colombo Fashion Week also promotes the concept of garments without guilt, where the production process is undertaken free of child labour, without discrimination of any kind, and without sweatshop conditions. At the upcoming fashion show, factories that practise this policy will be given certificates of recognition. Bringing together fashion designers of various cultures and backgrounds, The HSBC Colombo Fashion Week promises to be an important regional event which the organizers feel should be on the calendar even from a tourism perspective.