Dharini Udugama grew up in clothes her mother stitched for her. By the time she was a teenager, her wardrobe was a collection of sensitively styled, perfectly fitting tailor-made outfits that were the envy of her girlfriends. So when at 24 years old she passed her bar exam and decided she didn’t want to practise law anymore, her future was already made. Welcome to ‘Ky’s Closet.’

Dharini models some of her designs. Pix by Indika Handuwala

In a growing class of artistic ventures bursting from a generation that grew up to the tune of brand marketing, ‘Ky’s Closet’ is a new designer label that’s setting itself apart as a distinct fashion ethic. While she maybe one of the skinniest people you meet, Dharini feels that one doesn’t don’t need a certain type of body to look good. And it doesn’t matter what other people are wearing either.

“If you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to look good,” she says firmly. Which is why before she begins drawing she will ask clients about what they usually wear, what they are comfortable with, and where they draw the line. She’s going to “dig a little” into your fashion history, “to find out what your style is, get a sense of who you are”.

“Once you get that down,” she smiles, “you can just run with it.”

But “running” with it doesn’t mean she’s going to take her clients to the cutting edge of fashion design. When people started showing interest in her outfits, she started making some for her friends. But the closer ones did what all best friends do. When the need arose, “they came over, opened my closet, and just wore stuff!” she laughs. Dharini wants ‘Ky’s Closet’ to be an extension of that girlhood experience, and so who you are, and where you’re going in that particular dress she’s designing for you, are important factors in her process.

The final product though, is deeply personal, and obviously has something of her heart and mind in it. “All the clothes I make are things that I would wear myself,” she says, “it’s a piece of me that’s there.”

There is the initial impression of a quiet grace about her, but the softness of her curls and big brown eyes contrasts with the cropped hair, angular figure and slick wit. She wants to make her designs clearly feminine, but refuses to do pink, lace or flowers. Instead, she gravitates towards bright colours and richly textured materials that not just grab attention, but sustain it. Very subtle embroidery is the furthest she will go. “Not to be seen, just for effect”. What could turn out to be a flamboyant display of femininity is carefully contained by the lines and colours she chooses for each piece of clothing.

But ultimately you decide what goes in ‘Ky’s Closet’. Trash the magazines with the “perfect” models and define yourself. Check out Ky’s Closet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KysClosetSL