Sunday Times 2
From fashion to food: An all-around couture experience at CFW 2015
View(s):It’s time to head down to Galle come October for fashion, food and much more. Yes, Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) which has over the past 12 years seen significant growth is back with its Resort wear edition. Now with two additional seasons to the main CFW show (Swim was launched this year), CFW, aiming to be in sync with the global fashion seasons, is all set to usher in tropical vacation vibes this season. “We’re the only Fashion Week with three seasons in this region,” CFW President Ajai V. Singh says.
Featuring a Bright Sparks segment of promising talent, followed by two days of high-fashion resort wear, the Resort wear 2015 show is set against the historical backdrop of Galle. It works well not just to expand the designers’ portfolios but “we’re highlighting Galle as a tourism story as well,” Ajai says.
To be held from October 1-4, the main shows are just part of the festivities according to Chairman CFW Holdings, Dirk Flamer-Caldera. CFW Frame – two exhibitions – Cityscapes and Forts by Branka Ridiki and Black and White Portraits by Dominic Sansoni, will be open on October 2 and 3 at Villa Landesi . CFW Retail Walk, meanwhile will offer visitors a great shopping experience during the week of the shows. CFW Knowledge Workshops presents ‘Phantasmagoria’, a workshop on fashion photography conducted by celebrity photographer, Jatin Kampani, on October 2 at 11 a.m., at the Galle Room, Jetwing Lighthouse.Closing the season will be ‘Decked Out’, a resort-chic themed after-party.
Lankan designers who will present their collections at CFW Resort 2016 include; Ramona Oshini, INDI by IndeevariYapaAbeywardena, CHARINI, Yasisurie, U by Upeksha Hager, Conscience, G by Gihan Ediriweera, The Old Railway, KOCA, Hameedia, Arial, KASUN and Stefel by Peronie, while the international designers billed to show are Harare (USA), Lars Andersson (USA), Jason and Anshu (India) and Dan Single (Australia).
Jerome Auvity
“Resort-wear has blossomed” over the past three years, says Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC, Nilantha Bastians. The corporate banking sector is heavily involved in the apparel industry and the retail sector in which fashion “is the third largest industry” and scope is immense. Promoting the growth of this budding potential, HSBC has long been a part of CFW’s journey.
Director, Land Rover Sri Lanka, Roshi Fernando feels that CFW and Land Rover “share some core values” which includes design. Representing Jetwing Hotels Jerome Auvity said that their association “makes a lot of sense” since the Resort wear season has always been hosted in Galle or Negombo with their quality hospitality. From food to fashion, the hospitality team is gearing for an exciting couture experience.