Still shopping around for a kit fit for 31st night?
Avirate 30, Maitland Crescent, Col 7 Tel: 011 438 0780 Web: http://aviratefashion.lk
If you’re still at work, the first piece of good news is that Avirate is open late – they close only at 9 p.m. The second is that there’s a new French themed collection on sale. It’s all lace and slinky silhouettes and may prove the perfect choice for a big party. The store’s salespeople to customer ratio is inordinately high, so you may find yourself being tailed around everywhere, and being observed intently while you choose between the pink or green dress. Avirate’s collection is quite extensive and there’s likely something to suit everyone in there. The only downer are the prices.
Dresses typically cost somewhere in between Rs.5,000 to Rs.8,500, but there are a few exceptions you could scoop up for around Rs.3,000. They also have a range of tops and pants which tend to cost upwards of Rs.4,000, as do the many pairs of shoes on display. Accessories, while the cheapest things in store, are not exactly cheap: an average price appeared to be about Rs.1200 but some bangles cost as much as Rs.3,500. However, with lingerie on sale too, in theory you could find your entire outfit at Avirate.
If you’re uncertain though, you should take a quick look through their website. You’ll see a selection of the latest designs as well as the prices.
Melache No. 29/3, Visaka Private Road, Col 4.Tel: 0112595405 Web: ww.melache.com
Tucked into a lane off Duplication Road, just before the old House of Fashions building, Melache is a favourite with local fashionistas. It’s a beautiful little shop, brimming with designer wear. Entering the shop, we’re welcomed by a collection from Dimuthu Sahabandu, a reminder that Melache celebrates Sri Lankan designers. The shop has racks dedicated to several other local stars including Charini, Kur, Eye Candy and Iris.
As with Avirate, there are accessories on display as well. Funky shoes and handbags to match are scattered around. (There’s an interesting range of evening purses sculpted out of metal and embedded with stones.) Prices here vary dramatically. In a quick scan we found outfits for as little as Rs.3,000 and as much as Rs.21, 000 – it may be a good idea to go and dig around yourself. Service is friendly and well informed, and the collection is carefully curated so that most of the legwork is done for you. Don’t forget to nose around upstairs where items for sale are hung up. Discounts can vary – we saw one slightly ridiculous Rs.50 price cut but there were also examples where a few thousand rupees had been shaved off.
Linen & Life Level 2, Crescat Boulevard, 89 Galle Rd, Col 3 Tel: 0777421117 Website:www.facebook.com/linenandlife
If you were planning to welcome the New Year in at a beach party, this would be the place to check out. Their collection is very small and select but we’re not sure if that’s because the store just wrapped up a sale. Service is not particularly warm. If you’re a fan of linen though, you’ll be willing to overlook that. The fabrics here come in a range of vivid, quite beautiful colours. There are also several interesting cuts including the Nehru collared ruffle dress and multiple versions of the LBD or the little black dress. Prices for dresses range from Rs.3,800 to Rs.5,500. Menswear as well as more casual women’s wear is also on sale.