Stripping away colonial hangups
Andre Estefan’s much awaited step back into fashion on August 17 was an evening like no other! Cleverly conceptualized, the “Colonial Romance” show drew much applause as the liberated fashion statements took the ramp at the Trace Expert City.
Stefan Andre Joachim has been in and out of the limelight through his 30 years in the fashion industry. In this show held to mark this milestone anniversary, he projected his creativity to express the oppressive nature of colonization and its impact on the Sri Lankan identity.
The fashion show marks just one part of Andre’s creative expression. Throughout the course of the year the total concept of Andre’s personal journey will unravel through other art forms and expressions.
Through the creations for men and women showcased that evening, Andre aggressively portrayed the message of how Sri Lankans have embraced our colonial past and forgotten what it means to have our own identity. The fashion show projected discussions of archaic laws and outdated beliefs and sought to open eyes and minds to how this past affects our present.
“We can’t do anything about the past but we can do something about the future,” Andre shared. “We chose to ignore to date the way the country was treated.”
Although wowing the crowd with their grandeur, some of his pieces made the audience squirm at the expressionless faces of what we can only assume were representations of Sri Lankan labourers of the past staring back at us from the folds of the fabric prints. These ambivalent reactions seemed to go hand in hand with the designer’s aim of making the show resonate with a deeper meaning.
The atmosphere of liberalization at the conclusion of the show was depicted in a visually stunning all white creation debuted with a majestic backing audio. Watching the finale, Andre’s words from the presentation rang in our ears “We are blessed to live on this island paradise but we are cursed with hate towards our own blood.” He dedicated the closing segment of the show to the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers of Sri Lanka adding “May we find true peace someday and not judge one another by what we wear or which God we look up to.”
“Be the master of your own destiny” was Andre’s call to the spellbound audience, “we have been ruled long enough.”
Andre Estefan: Celebrating 30. Pix by Amila Gamage
