AOD Graduate, International Fashion Star Amesh Wijesekera set to showcase at Berlin Fashion Week
View(s):Taking Sri Lankan Fashion to the global sphere, AmeshWijesekera will be showcasing his locally designed & made collection at Berlin Fashion Week 2019.
Sri Lankan Design talent is taking on one of the biggest international fashion platforms in the world as Amesh Wijesekera preps for Berlin Fashion Week 2019. Amesh, acclaimed by international designers and as a young fashion prodigy, learnt his craft right here in Sri Lanka. A Graduate of Northumbria University UK’s Fashion & Textile Design Degree from AOD, his fashion genius was homegrown and today he is predicted to become the first big international fashion name for the country. In this exclusive interview Amesh gives an insight to learning fashion design in Sri Lanka, working as a designer in London, showcasing at various international fashion platforms and his vision for Berlin Fashion Week.
We just heard some big news. Can we get the inside story about your latest selection for Berlin Fashion Week 2019?
Yes, I will be showcasing as a part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin at Berlin Fashion Week. The show is by the Mercedes- Benz International Development Exchange Programme (IDEP), and it’s the opening show of MBFW Berlin. The show will be on the 15th of January and I am really excited to be among some great international designers from all over the world.
I’m truly grateful to The Ambassador for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency, Joern Rohde for supporting my participation at Berlin Fashion Week (BFW). It’s gratifying to be a part of this collaboration between Germany and Sri Lanka initiated by AOD and I look forward to brining back the experience and knowledge from BFW to Sri Lanka and enabling further engagement based on design and innovation.
One of my greatest supporters has been AOD. I’m immensely thankful to its founder Linda Speldewinde who has been a mentor through and through and the amazing faculty including Karen Mcleod and Stuart Mcleod. And of course, my family has been just incredible to me with their unwavering support.
How has AOD been a part
of your journey so far?
AOD is where I truly found myself. When I started my fashion design degree I had a head full of ideas but at AOD I learnt the art of expressing them; starting from conceptualization to the final garment I gained the ability to stay true to myself while creating something so out of the ordinary that it challenged pre-conceived notions and really brought out the essence of what I was trying to express. We had an amazing faculty from around the world who really inspired us to achieve our potential. AOD also has great industry connections and this was a crucial factor for me in designing and producing my collections. With AOD’s support I was able to showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Runways as well as London Graduate Fashion Week where I won the Oracle International Catwalk Competition. Since then I have been showcasing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka, the country’s first international fashion week conceptualized and organised by AOD. In every instance I had great support from AOD and I am very grateful for all the opportunities and exposure I have gained as a result.
So, tell us more about Berlin Fashion Week and what kind of platform it is.
Berlin Fashion Week is a melting pot of designers, thinkers, dreamers, innovators, all coming together to celebrate innovative fashion, latest trends and discuss fashion technology and sustainable design. I am most excited about being able to meet amazing people including fashion-lovers, buyers, designers and industry professionals who will no doubt provide great insight to the world of fashion. As an emerging designer from Sri Lanka this is not just an opportunity for me, but for the entire island to show what Sri Lankan design can offer.
I’m also grateful to be a part of the platform and global network AOD and Mercedes-Benz has created for me since my first MBFW in Sri Lanka. Having the opportunity to showcase at MBFW in Berlin is a dream and it will be my first debut solo show and brand launch to a global audience. Absolutely humbled and thrilled!
Your brand represents its own aesthetic. How would you describe it?
Colour, texture and and more colour! Rich textiles, clashing different elements and bold statements.Something fresh something raw. A juxtaposition of the worlds and energies around me.
The process is the most exciting and important part to me. A space of fantasy, exploration and collaboration with the people and communities around me. My life between London and Sri Lanka, cultural nuances and its smells and sounds influence this process. A sense of chaotic calmness.
I think these surroundings and elements breathe through my work. Heritage and craftsmanship are key aspects of my practice involving indigenous craft artisans of my island Sri Lanka. It is this special collaboration that make it truly worth it.
Finally, how are you prepping for Berlin Fashion Week 2019?
Sri Lankan design is really taking on an international outlook and I am really happy to be a part of it. Most of my time will be spent on curating this collection. Working with the artisans, with AOD and the German Embassy and making sure everything falls into place. It’s really exciting, and I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life now! With the kind of audience that Berlin Fashion Week is known to draw, the exposure that I will get and opportunities that would open up to me will again be out of this world. So, a lot to look forward to!
AOD will be closely working with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to support Amesh’s journey and help him move forward into the heart of global fashion proving the predictions about his future to be right. The show will be livestreamed on 15th January on www.aod.lk.
For more information on Amesh’s work, or studying Fashion, Fashion Marketing, Visual Communication Design, Interior Design, Motion Graphics & Animation Design get in touch with AOD on 0775727772 or log on to www.aod.lkor visit 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 04.