Young ones cut a dash at CFW
View(s):By Tharooshie Mahahewage
The HSBC Colombo Fashion Week, billed as the highlight of the country’s fashion calendar proudly launched its tenth edition at the Colombo Hilton Grand Ballroom on April 3.
Creations by Charini Suriyage (inset)
Day One saw the ramp being taken over by the country’s aspiring young designers, many of them unveiling debut collections. Fronting the show Perine Fernando, Sri Lanka’s very own super model opened several collections in her characteristic charismatic style.
The dramatic start saw Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada back with signature hearts, flowers and polka dots in bright yellows, oranges, greens, and pinks.
“This is my fourth year participating in the Colombo Fashion Week. It’s become a big part of my life,” she told the Sunday Times. “Every year when I touch down in Sri Lanka, it’s like I’m back after ten years. Sri Lanka is developing so fast and it’s always a pleasure to come back. I love using bright unique colours because I believe it makes people happy and healthy. This country is filled with so much colour and good taste and I hope it never changes,” said Agatha.
Next up Charini Suriyage showed classical yet trendy cuts in earthy colours of black, brown, beige and dull green adorned with lace for the sophisticated woman followed by Dharshi Keerthisena’s collection for the Spa Ceylon ‘White’ range – all smoke and sea spray. Glimmering silks in greys and white, accessorised with pearls and silver, showcased the models as air spirits. The dresses looked almost weightless accentuating long flowing beauty and femininity.
Young Amanda Weerasinghe’s debut collection inspired by temple paintings as well as the colour of the sunset and changing shades of the sea saw the use of daring shapes in vibrant shades of orange and peach. The Sri Lankan touch was clear in the ‘ves muhuna’ earrings, and designs drawn from the Kandyan dancer’s costume.
“It was amazing walking down the ramp at the end of my collection amidst applause. I got so many exciting compliments on my collection. This is also the launching of my new brand ‘Secret Recipe by Amanda’,” said the designer who’s focusing on the 24-29 age group.
KUR, by Kasuni Rathnayake, a designer with Brandix, saw feminine silhouettes with her signature use of traditional beeralu lace. Kasuni favoured mostly white with black and orange for contrast.
Indigo was declared the ‘colour of the year’ by Dulux for 2013. “I did not know this when I started putting my collection together,” says Gihan Ediriweera, presenting a stylish collection in cotton with batik design, with the Indigo bride and groom definitely a scene-stealer. “Last year was my first year where I showcased the main line as well as resort wear. All the printing, etc is done by me and it’s a great honour to participate in this event,” said Gihan.
Fahad Sheriff with his brand Middle Finger added a quirky and modern twist elevating denim to a whole new sensibility of evening looks. The women were super sexy in his tightly fitted corsets and jackets worn with beautifully shaped jeans and figure hugging skirts, the men hot and handsome with their jackets. Fahad’s designs were filled with youthful elegance.
Aqua Island’s swimwear with animal prints and feathers in bright oranges, greens, pinks and even gold was made even more striking with the use of glittery accessories. These designs could probably make the jump from pool to pub with ease, worn as separates with jeans and shorts.
British born Sri Lankan designer Radhika Perera-Hernandez’s collection was all about multi functional classical elegance through the use of colours like aqua, lime, peacock green and nude shades, highlighted with intricate beading, rich colours and airy fabrics. Radhika has helped design looks for music icon Beyonce’s MTV Video Music Awards and Grammy appearances.
Wrapping up Day One was Acushla by Sonali Dharmawardena with her trademark batik prints in softly flowing silk, a mature and sophisticated collection from the designer from whom much is now expected.
By Smriti Daniel
Strutting down the X shaped catwalk (a neat little reference to the Roman numeral for 10 and the 10th anniversary of the CFW itself) on Day 2 of Colombo Fashion Week, models presented an eclectic selection of designers working in different fabrics and palettes with aesthetics that ranged from the bold and playful to the elegant and sophisticated.
The evening’s showcase began on a high note with the work of Spanish designer Juan Duyos who brought to the stage a collection with standout pieces in rich shades of purple and pink. Diaphanous, flowing fabrics were layered and cinched in with slim gold belts, the colour of the latter echoed in the metallic heels worn by the models. The fresh faced young Bangladeshi designer Ashikur Rahman Pony followed with a wonderfully playful collection filled with bold and bright designs.
As if in deliberate contrast, Ramona Oshini’s work began with a selection of garments in ethereal white. Slender pleats allowed for full yet slim skirts in the light fabric and with several backless or simple lace panels creating interest from every angle. Ramona then shifted gear into happy yellow before moving into a range of dramatic cocktail and evening ensembles.
Previous Gen-Next designer winner Amilani Perera seemed to be designing for the tropics and may just bring silk shorts back into fashion. Her designs, built around a colour of gold and taupe that shifted into metallic silver were fresh, young and urban. Dramatic, exaggerated shoulders, translucent pants with cutaway ankles only confirmed that impression. Making for a cute yet stylish accent were the thin, delicate designer socks that allowed the toes to peek through and when worn with heels.
 Making a dramatic statement in black: Ramona Oshini |
 Avirate lingerie collection |
Designer Dimuthu Sahabandu made a statement in red carpet fashion. A favourite with Bollywood stars like Deepika Padakone, Dimuthu had supermodel Perine Fernando opened his show with a dramatic, floor length silver gown. His bold design choices lent toward fluid fabrics and shifting silhouettes.
Avirate’s selection provided some of the evening’s most obviously wearable fashion, prefacing their collection with a showcase of their range of lingerie.
Deneth Piumakshi’s triumphant return to the CFW ramp established that she had grown as a designer while still retaining her entirely distinctive style. Her designs lent toward the flamboyant in terms of colour and cut, with the intricate, net like garment made of individual pieces of ‘cheetha’ modelled by Perine that closed the collection being a particular standout.
To close the show was a special double feature from Indian family owned design house Turquoise and Gold and Suitsupply.
From the former we saw a range of light, flowing garments with dramatic prints, while the latter provided a glimpse into the latest in men’s fashions – think unusual combinations of jackets and suits with slightly deliberately off-colour accents drawing attention to the superlative fit.
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