Arts

CFW unveils ‘Journey towards Circularity’

By Sashini Rodrigo

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With Colombo slowly adjusting to the new normal, the world of fashion has seen facemasks going from being a necessary blight to being a new staple. Responsibility has also taken on new meaning, as all industries across the board struggle to cope with mandatory closures and general uncertainty.

Achala Leekoh

It is in this spirit that Colombo Fashion Week 2020 embarked on its 17th edition, five months after it was originally scheduled. Going forward with their ‘Journey towards Circularity’ and their Responsibility in Fashion programme, CFW has nevertheless made some format changes in line with health and safety protocols, with the focus now on livestreaming the runways through their website.

Despite a somewhat limited guest list, Colombo’s elite in attendance nevertheless put their best fashion foot forward for the first major social event since the COVID-19 shutdown.

The Emerging Designer Showcase at Shangri-La Hotel Colombo on Thursday night saw 13 local designers from CFW’s Emerging Designer Development Programme unveil their collections and creativity. Keeping with the overarching push for sustainability, many of the young designers incorporated low wastage, low chemical and low-water usage in their production methods, with a heavy emphasis on reversible and convertible designs to ensure longevity of the garments.

Commencing the night in style with a statement collection of wearable designs, ‘Tribal Delicacy’ by Himashi Wijeweera incorporated muted greys and beiges, handmade Beeralu lace, and contemporary silhouettes accentuated with beading.

Nilusha’s Maddumage’s catwalk collection combined a limited earth-tone palette with statement jackets, while Achala Leekoh’s stunning ‘Abstructure’ collection took its concept from the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi. The geometric designs, stained glass prints and pleating evoked the feel of the iconic cathedral and its striking elements.

Combining tailored structure with oversized silhouettes, offset by both bold and neutral colours and strategic jewellery, ‘Blurred Lines’ was Harinda Gunawardena’s take on contemporary androgynous subculture. Next up, ‘Orkidia by Hirushi’ took the viewer through a journey of floral artistry and the cycles of death and decay. Designer Hirushi Jayathilake relied heavily on tight forms, beading and floral themed embellishments with complex craftsmanship.

‘Mystical Trance’ by Ranga Senavirathne was a heavily print-based casual men’s collection taking inspiration from art and the dichotomies of life, while Udarika Dalugama’s ‘The Human Concept’ evoked the beauty and artistic value of the human body and soul through striking conceptual art prints on gender neutral pieces.

After a short break, Joanne Kulamannage’s collection elevated the humble denim to high street contemporary style, whereas Divya Jayawickrama was inspired by World War Two. ‘Invisible Empire’ highlighted grey-toned pieces through patterns and dye and wash effects. In contrast, the trendy and casual yet timeless ‘Ceylonese intervention to Broderie Anglaise’ collection by Thamoda Geegamage offset western influences with breezy ethnic influences, with inspiration from Sri Lankan motifs and crafts.

Mikail Hameed’s collection for men focused on comfort and clean design with its contemporary Japanese influences and relaxed fits. Following this was Chamanka Pehesara’s black and white ‘Panther by Chamanka’, calling to mind the cracks that occur during earthquakes and volcanoes through prints and eco-friendly raw cotton fabric.

Wrapping up the night, last year’s NEXT Award winner Ayesh Wickramarathne was heavily inspired by African tribal culture with earth-inspired colours and prints and voluminous, transformable silhouettes.