The CFW drama unfolds

Text by Shakya Wickramanayake and pix by Amila Gamage

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Over the past 14 years, the HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) has established Colombo’s presence on the fashion circuit and enabled local designers to stride out boldly on the ramp with collections that reflect their creativity. CFW 2017 which hit the catwalk last week gave a flavour of its island inspiration while also projecting international design.

Both Sri Lankan and international designers featured in the Main Designer Showcase at the Hilton Colombo Ballroom on Thursday (March 16) with many of them returning to the CFW runway.

The show started off with a collection by Upeksha Hager, under the brand name ‘U by Upeksha’. Inspired by the feminist cause and the recent women’s marches worldwide, her designs even featured the feminist logo of a clenched fist within the female symbol. Colours of white and pink and large floral embellishments figured prominently in her collection.

Inspired by Coldplay’s song ‘Birds’, Jaishree Jayasingha presented a vibrant collection under her ‘Jai’ brand with large bold prints of tropical birds and flowers capturing the eye. The bright colours juxtaposed with black or white, together with the feminine silhouettes gave the overall impression that this was for the bold woman who enjoyed the spotlight.

On a night that featured exclusively women’s wear, Asanka de Mel’s Lovi Ceylon didn’t stick to any rules. His collection of both men’s and women’s wear elevated the humble sarong into functional and chic clothing. His sarongs featured pockets, drawstring belts, and embellishments such as buttons and bead work. One of the more interesting designs was the short sarong skirt, which appeared to be a merger of the sarong and the classic tennis skirt.

Denims are conventionally a casual dress down look. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be high fashion as shown by the La’ Sari Collection. Nilanka Silva’s designs featured A line skirts and dresses in denim material, batik , embroidery and embellishments converting the simple denim into upscale evening wear.

Aslam Hussein’s mainstay wedding dresses get dramatic and powerful

Aslam Hussein is known for his wedding designs, and the intricacy and structure associated with wedding dresses were certainly mainstays of his collection that night. The collection featured strong, structured silhouettes with brocade and embossed fabric. Big and dramatic skirts and collars gave the collection a regal and powerful look.

‘Exotic Luxury’ is the tagline of Amilani Perera’s brand, and that certainly seemed to shine through in her collection that night.Inspired by the sea, the designs came in tones of white, yellow, gold and foam green. Most designs featured capes, high low skirts, winged sleeves, in white pleated sheer material which had the appearance of the fins of a fish. Pebbles on the beach and fish scales were recreated using beadwork.

Ramona Oshini Jayawardena, the designer behind ‘Ramona Oshini’, is no stranger to CFW, having showcased for eight consecutive seasons. Her collection featured highly worked and embellished clothing. From sarees to skirts to dresses, her designs were very rich, with pearls, intricate brocade and heavy embroidery. High waist skirts and fitting structured crop tops were seen in the collection. Overall the collection gave off an elegant yet conservative femininity.

Italian designer Gaetano Navarra whose creations have graced the runways of the prestigious Milan Fashion Week presented an eclectic, tropical inspired collection beginning with designs featuring coconut tree patterned fabric and blue fringes and progressing to bedazzled denim and sheer fabric with patchwork prints. The collection also featured lace dresses with netted or sheer panels.

Ajai Vir Singh, Founder President of HSBC CFW was elated when the Sunday Times spoke to him on Friday, talking of CFW’s expanded scope this year combining related creative industries of Art, Film and Food. “Colombo Fashion Week 2017 has truly gone to the next level. All the Emerging Designers this year had a strong collection. The designers from the main show have shown strong progress too. Such a step up.

“The other global first is the Ethical Fashion Day (March 17); we’re the first to celebrate a day of good practices in fashion by dedicating a day during the Fashion Week,” he added.