CFW to “Celebrate Colombo” sans state backing in 2018
The Colombo Fashion Week has entered its 15th year but lacks credible government assistance to ensure its future growth, the organisers of the event highlighted on Tuesday.
It was noted that the CFW that had received limited support from the Tourism Ministry last year had found no interest in 2018 leaving the organisers wondering if state assistance cannot be sought for a national level event held on an international platform.
This is one of the only events that is capable of attracting visitors to the country to engage themselves within Colombo for one week and is a good draw in terms of keeping them in the city alone, CFW founder Ajai Vir Singh told the Business Times on the sidelines of the media briefing held in Colombo at the Hilton Colombo last week.
In the previous year the show was taken to Galle and Negombo in a bid to move into locations that were tourist-centric, it was noted.
However, it was found that the show only added to the expenses and as a result this idea was shelved since it did not hold well.
Both Dirk Flamer-Caldera and Ms. Ramani Fernando, experts in the industry, pointed out the need for the tourism’s state agencies to be increasingly involved in promoting the event as it is a key attraction for the destination.
This year the industry is attempting to move to the next level by launching new creative initiatives in line with its vision to develop and showcase Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry to the world and to the fashion consumers in the country. A few milestones have been achieved in the progress of the event like partnerships with the likes of HSBC for now 11 years and nine years with the Hilton.
This year’s CFW week will be from March 19 – 25 under the theme “Celebrate Colombo” in collaboration with art, film, food and even music in addition to knowledge workshops, ethical fashion, designer showcases and the emerging designer showcase.
The over 30 designers expected to showcase their works, are international artistes like Bibi Russell, Eymeric Francois, Urvashi Kaur and Tarun Tahilani. The Sri Lankan designers list will feature Darshi Keerthisena, Upeksha Hager, Charini Suriyage, Maus, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Conscience, Meraki, Sonali Dharmawardena, Fouzul Hameed, Jaishree Amilani Perera, Catherine Rawson, Lovi Ceylon, Nilanka Silva, Aslam Hussein, Indeevari Yapa Abeyagunawardene and Gihan Ediriweera among others.
The varied segments of the show include the Emerging Designer Showcase featuring 12 high potential designers taking the ramp; a fifth edition of Art Connect that draws compositions by renowned Sri Lankan artists that will bring artists and fashion designers together where artists will create their artworks based on a designer’s piece of work. In addition, the Responsible Fashion Summit will feature fashion for the good of the environment; music and fashion gets merged to bring music designed; a third season of fashion films; knowledge workshops; and fashion and food.