Swim Week Colombo: All set for a splash!
A special swimwear edition that took place at the Hilton Colombo pool last year
This week, Swim Week Colombo will be unveiled at the brand new ECT Terminal at the Colombo Port. This is being billed as Asia’s first ever fashion week dedicated entirely to Swim Wear with ten Sri Lankan labels, four international, and several trend experts among the names highlighted over June 24-26.
Here, the Sri Lankan labels share a few sneak peeks from their collections, each thanking manufacturing partner Linea Aqua for a smooth transition from drawing board to garment:
‘U’ by Upeksha Hager
Upeksha Hager
The ‘U’ label has consistently amped up its repertoire with every new CFW show; Upeksha started showing with the 2011 edition, and has showcased her work at almost every main and resort show since then. This year, expect a collection less tropical in colour and silhouette. Using reliable solids such as navy blues and greys, Upeksha says her collection follows a consistent trend over the last few years in its sportier aesthetic.
C.H.A.R.L.E.N.E.
Charlene Thuring was a senior designer based with MAS Linea Aqua before she left to pursue a career as an independent designer. Her label C.H.A.R.L.E.N.E. has forayed into swimwear before; Charlene says that this time around, the process has been much smoother “thanks to the dedicated manufacturers on board.” Expect geometric patterns, brights and birds from the C.H.A.R.L.E.N.E. label.
Annika Fernando
MAUS
Annika Fernando founded the MAUS label in 2013; since then, MAUS has been a regular on the runway. This year it will make its first venture into swimwear with MAUS SWIM; this is launching alongside MAUS’ annual Monsoon collection, so expect simple cuts for the flawless silhouette in premium fabrics, says Annika. “It’s a collection which is classic and flatters a range of body shapes in a restrained colour palette to suit most skin tones.”
Rukshika Fernando
Rumpunch
Since it was launched early last year, Rumpunch has made a bold statement with their colourful and sporty swimwear collections. Designer Rukshika Fernando finds the inspiration for Swim in pop art and surf culture, and taps into elements of the latest international trends in her collection. The swimsuits will have a sporty aesthetic as always, she says, with graphic prints, bright colours and a few paired garments such as long pants.
CHARINI
Charini Suriyage
As a designer Charini Suriyage is distinctive in her style. The co-founder of Zudhora, a retail store in Colombo, she has been based with MAS Intimates for the last 10 years-currently as General Manager of Design. Charini describes her collection as sophisticated with a subtle sporty edge, and says the pieces have a more timeless appeal, although the colours used are more trend-oriented. The collection will celebrate feminine power with body contouring, placement prints and subtle detailing.
Rachel Raj
This is the first Fashion Week outing for Rachel Raj, a luxury clothing brand officially launched late last year. The label’s Riviera collection keeps to its business ethos by creating wearable garments for every silhouette; designer Sarita Rajendran will use classic silhouettes with emphasis on hardware trims, in block colours and prints.
Sharmila Ruberu
Meraki
Designer Sharmila Ruberu returns to her monochromatic roots for the Meraki Swim collection, aiming for a vibrant, elegant and always timeless spirit. “Black and white is always in fashion,” she says.
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay beachwear draws inspiration from the vibrant east coast of Sri Lanka. The Swim Week collection (also marking the label’s first fully fledged women’s swimwear collection) will highlight the Breton stripe first worn by 19th century French sailors and favoured by fashion designers around the world. Designer Ajai Vir Singh says we can expect classic colours, clean lines and the Arugam Bay twist.
Other labels showing at Swim Week Colombo include:
amante: the brand’s core specialty is lingerie but it has recently forayed into sleepwear, active wear and of course, swimwear.
Juxtapose: is a fashion collaboration between the label Indi and designer Charlene Thuring.
Shivan & Naresh: a luxury swimwear brand from India, Shivan & Naresh was the first Indian label to showcase at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami. Modest cuts, bold usage of colour and impeccable finishing are the key design ethos of the label.
Jeremy and Katinka Somers
We Are Handsome: Jeremy and Katinka Somers find their design voice in reimagining traditional silhouettes with this Australian label.
heidi klein: founded by Heidi Gossman and Penny Klein. The heidi klein collection offers a range of swimwear in a wide variety of styles.
Prasad Bidapa
Aviva: CFW powerhouse Prasad Bidapa joins hands with Linea Aqua for a collection that celebrates the unique body silhouettes of the South and South East Asian woman.
The title partner for Swim Week Colombo is OLU Tropical Water; other partners include Nations Trust Bank, American Express, Hilton Colombo, Land Rover, Ramani Fernando Salons, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and the Leo Burnett and MSL Group.