The French connection
Major fashion houses around the globe that have just unveiled their summer collections have gone back into hibernation to work on their fall pieces. Designers in training at LIFT have also had an adventurous season of appliquéing, beading and creating couture pieces. Their brief was to create a garment inspired by hallmark names in the world of couture fashion. Now the students’ hard work is up on display.
LIFT’s young designers pose at the exhibition opening. Pix by Amila Gamage
Paying homage to the celebrated French art form, the Couture Exhibition was officially opened by the French Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jean-Marin Schuh last week and will continue until July 10, as part of the annual French Spring Festival.
With an almost bridal feel to it, Shehani Madiwaka’s piece was inspired by Zuhair Murad’s Spring Summer collection. “It’s a lot harder than it looks,” she tells us having initially struggled to manipulate the delicate salmon-tinged tulle, which forms the base of her creation. Soft, pastel clouds of lace which sit on the mesh give the dress elegance but it is as fragile as it looks, she shares and attaching elements has been a challenge, albeit a rewarding one, she smiles.
Shehara Perera’s vibrant red rendition with luxurious gold threadwork springs from a combination of two designer labels- Balmain and Zuhair Murad. High in the signature decadence that couture is known for, the golden thread relayed over a simple hourglass silhouette is Shehara’s spin on a Faberge egg.
Standing out for its distinct feminine yet strong silhouette it’s easy to see that Kalnika Dissanayake’s piece was inspired by Chanel. Drawing from the brand’s Spring-Summer collection she incorporated brighter shades on chiffon against the signature Chanel tweed. The colour in Kalnikas version spread all the way across her garment in an interesting pattern of appliquéd shoe laces. Since its a Spring-Summer collection, I dyed the shoe-laces,” she shares.
The opera Adam and Eve was what fuelled Nishani Wilathgamuwa’s imagination. Telling the story of creation, she shares that her gown came from Valentino’s Spring-Summer show last year which was inspired by 55 operas. There were other elements on the original Valentino dress, she says, but in her version images of Adam and Even have been deleted. “I wanted to remove anything symbolic of religion,” she says, leaving her piece a delicate depiction of nature set against soft grey mesh. Trailing down, the dark gown bears meticulously threaded flora and fauna among which Nishani felt compelled to add a local touch, a row of water lilies at its train.
Catch the Couture Exhibition featuring these pieces and many more from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays until July 10 at LIFT- Horton Place, Colombo 7.