CFW hits the ramp
View(s):| Krishna Mehta: Cool designer and designs
Stepping behind the scenes of Colombo Fashion Week is voluntarily entering a whirlwind of colour and nerves, hairspray and chaos. In the midst of it all looking calm and collected, in a pink linen ensemble is Krishna Mehta. Be it her experience of more than 25 years in the fashion industry or her unruffled persona, it takes a lot to break the cool of one of India’s master designers. Inspiration, for Mehta comes through the folds of her beloved Indian heritage which she uses extensively in her men’s and women’s wear. Classic structures and shapes are tweaked to give a 21st century feel and draw the appreciation of any young Indian trying to strike a balance between cultures. It is this signature style of hers that has brought much fame to the modest designer who has been acclaimed for her philanthropy and textile work with accolades such as the Peacock Award (2004) and the Times of India Award (2005). “We don’t wear sarees all the time,” says the designer bluntly. The interest shown by Sri Lankans in international fashion caught her attention. “I see almost the same scope in both Sri Lankan and Indian fashion,” she says. Hitting the ramp on the February 6 was her Resort wear collection 2014. Models in cool linen shirts and flowing pants floated across the ramp to the sounds of ballads from the hippie movement of the 1960s. Mehta’s cool tones of grey, black and white floral patterns were teamed with bright pinks and purples giving a summery feel to her collection.
Wear something that makes you smile- Mevan Among the shoal of designers riding the waves to our sunny island, is one for whom it is a return trip home. “An edgy street style kind of guy”, is how Mevan Kaluarachchi who has made a name in the Netherlands describes himself. We meet him on Thursday; his collection of menswear will be on the ramp on CFW’s closing night, the invitation to show here coming after his work was featured at Amsterdam Fashion Week. Fashion beckoned, and having learnt Dutch and graduated from the Fine Arts Academy William de Kooning Rotterdam in 2005 Mevan launched his own label in 2009 after working for several designers. Making a dress out of paperclips for his entrance exam to the Dutch art school which challenged him to prove himself worthy of a place in the programme, he still recalls lugging his dummy with the paper-clip dress on the train from his residence a little outside Rotterdam. “People looked at me like I was crazy!” he laughs, “But I didn’t care because I wanted to get in so badly!” He never minds standing out and is quick to compliment people who try something different even if it means walking up to a complete stranger and appreciating their choice of clothes. “Only yesterday I saw two people in the lobby of the hotel, and I told them their clothes were nice- I think we should compliment each other more,” he feels. Back in college he would wear a sarong despite being ribbed by his friends. “They called it a skirt and bullied me a bit,” smiles Mevan, adding that eventually his foreign friends too wanted sarongs. “It’s all about comfort and being confident enough to express yourself.” The island mentality” as Mevan puts it, is something he believes holds people back. “People were so restricted to express themselves in any way because if it was unusual, it wasn’t always considered good,” he explains. “This is why I am so happy that CFW creates awareness, and broadens the scope of Sri Lankan fashion, not only among designers but people as well,” says this designer who believes personal style includes comfort. “And I am so happy that designers are using local products that are practical and fashionable to wear.” Always keeping the common man in mind when designing he intends to create clothes that are fashionable, practical and affordable. “You don’t have to wear expensive clothes, you have to wear the right kind of clothes well” is how he believes one masters the art of being fashionable. Being captivated by people and how they tell stories, Mevan often loses himself in a movie or book after a hectic day at his studio. When he isn’t running in the morning, cycling, cooking or designing he admits, “I surf the net perhaps a little more than I should, but movies and just stories in general inspire me.” Catering to Europe’s climate and clientele he says “my collection has been subject to minor adjustments.” This collection- ‘wardrobe’ contains pieces that can be worn in Sri Lanka and stems from Mevan’s belief that “every girl and guy should have a wardrobe that makes them happy and smile.” |
 It’s Thursday, February 6 and there’s an expectant buzz in the room as models in Agatha Ruiz De La Prada’s bright and vibrant designs make their entrance. Colombo knows Agatha well by now and here are her familiar spectacular designs down to the models sporting equally vibrant neon shoes. The collection is youthful whimsy, circular and conical silhouettes, huge bows and hand painted techniques. As her daughter Cosima Ramirez says, “It’s a lot of classical Prada techniques like handpainting with a new twist.” |
 Showcasing both men’s and women’s fashion this year, Middle Finger, the brainchild of Fahad Sheriff is big on denim with an array of jackets, jeans and shirts for menswear. Almost every pair of jeans is of a different shade with unusual designs or acid washed. The women’s collection doesn’t exude estrogen to the core, but still gives off a masculine vibe with its sharp lines and contours. |
 Bold drum sounds and the conch herald Indi’s designs known for their intricate incorporation of arts and crafts- this time the sesath, the traditional fan carried at peraheras. Practical yet spectacular, the collection has a regal feel to it and the little details stand out. |
 Inspired by the British Raj, Ramona Oshini’s designs blow in winds from the South with the use of traditional lace from Galle. The regal structure of her designs, reflect the elegance and grace of the colonial era translated to the needs of modern society. |
 RadhikaM from the House of Inspiration dazzles with a sophisticated collection of muted pastels, and sheer whites. The flamingo inspired collection has also soft pink pieces adorned with zippers and metal studs-think Barbie meets metal! |
 Aphrodite’s Myrtle is the newest addition to the Melache stable and this collection of eveningwear is inspired by the motifs and décor of a Roman Catholic Church. Embroidery reflects church symbols and if their choice of dangling cross shaped ear-rings didn’t spread the word strongly, the details on the dresses spell out their source of inspiration. |
 At his 4th CFW, Dimuthu Sahabandu’s collection of evening wear is both striking and unusual creating a lasting impression on the audience His inspiration, interestingly is the last Queen of Senkadagala, Kusumasena Devi or Dona Katarina. The dresses reflect old Ceylon with flashes of Portuguese and Dutch influence. Shades of maroon, cream and white quintessential to the Kandyan era are made contemporary with embroidered jackets and flared skirts prototypical of the 16th century Portuguese style of clothing. |
 |
 |
|