Sunday Times 2
CFW Designer Pod: A unique retail experience that showcases eleven Sri Lankan designers
View(s):Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) recently held CFW Designer Nights, an evening of fashion that provided Sri Lankan designers with the 
opportunity to showcase and retail their latest collections at the CFW Designer Pod at ODEL Alexandra Place, Colombo 7.
“One of CFW’s key focus areas in 2015 has been fashion retail and this initiative with ODEL fits in really well with our thinking. The CFW Designer Pod is a unique concept that moves around. A designated area at ODEL Alexandra Place was selected to host the unique evening,” said Ajai V. Singh, President and Founder, CFW.
Since its inception in 2003, CFW has inspired local fashion designers to establish their own brands and pursue fashion as a serious business through mentorship and exposure on the runway. Following this achievement, CFW is now focusing on bringing viable marketing and retail opportunities to designers, which will help them grow and sustain their businesses, and place their brands on the international map.
The CFW Designer Pod was designed to play a crucial role in realising CFW’s goals; it serves as an incubator for the development of home-grown fashion labels and provides designers with a pop-up space to sell their collections within an established retail house. This format benefits designers who may not have their own boutique or retail space, by allowing them to earn a sustainable income, pay attention to consumer responses and learn how best to display and sell their collections for retail. The CFW Designer Pod showcased the collections of 11 designers; EXALT (Ramona Pulle), Ramona Oshini, Charini, KOCA, Ohé Island, INDI, Amilani, Conscience, Deneth, Yasisurie and Upeksha.