Arts

Inspired by all kinds of everything

By Duvindi Illankoon

Mercedes Benz fashion show finale highlights the country’s Emerging Talent

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Monochrome reigned at Sri Lanka Design Festival’s closing show, the Mercedes-Benz Emerging Talent Runway last Sunday, November 29, at the SLECC.

Thrilakshi

This year, talented young designers once again took to the ramp with their collections; some partnering with major retailers and studios for their work, while others worked alone.

A grand total of 28 collections was showcased at an admirably efficiently run show, which lasted for just over an hour. The runway opened with three Academy of Design project collections for swimwear, sportswear and jeans (alongside an advanced concept project).

Three official ‘emerging designers’ showed their collections next- Stellazo by Mudara De Zoysa, Raidha’s Maldives by Raidha Shafeeg and Nadiya by Nadiya Iqbal.

Twenty graduates for 2015 from the Academy of Design were next to showcase their work; these were inspired by a myriad of things, from native American tribes to biker culture.

We especially liked Ganisha De Silva’s collaboration with Orient Design and Brandix Finishing- her design form was primarily western, but with the appeal of Lankan craft work. One coat in particular, with owl motifs on the elbow patch was quirky and surprising.

At the end of the show, AOD student Amesh Wijesekara was chosen to present his collection at the London Graduate Fashion Week. Amesh’s collection was highly conceptual and striking, and his was also the collection that closed the show that night.