New look Sri Lanka Design Festival at a much needed time for innovation
View(s):The Sri Lanka Design Festival conceptualised by the Academy of Design (AOD) with the aim of promoting the country’s ‘designed and made in Sri Lanka’ initiatives will be held virtually for the first time on January 15, 16 and 17, 2021.
The SLDF will take the form of a series of virtual fashion showcases, design exhibitions, forums and workshops that focus on product innovation, sustainable design, art and creative industries.
Under the theme ‘impACT’, the Virtual Festival will showcase fashion and design initiatives that motivate the industry to act now and create a positive impact, in a meaningful way whilst bringing in much-needed new exports through design driven innovation.
Inaugurated in 2009, this will mark the 10th Sri Lanka Design Festival, held at a significant time, celebrating fashion, architecture, tourism and design technology and bringing together all connected industries. The three-full day virtual festival will include over 40 different segments and showcase over 50 personalities – designers, craft and the SME sector makers, artists, young entrepreneurs, speakers, celebrities and like-minded enthusiasts.
Anoma Wijewardane, a globally renowned Sri Lankan artist will be featured in the Artist Spotlight of SLDF 2021 on ‘Art captivating transformation, inclusivity- diversity unity and climate change’. Another highlight will be the keynote address by former Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay on the topic of ‘Only carbon neutral country in the world’ sharing insights on the harmony between sustainability and economics in his country.
A partnership with the Ministry of International Relations will ensure all missions abroad and diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, help promote engagement and connections that will lead to meaningful commercial collaborations for the country through the post festival period.
The virtual Sri Lanka Design Festival 2021 is produced by Academy of Design (AOD). Linda Speldewinde, Founder of Sri Lanka Design Festival and Chairperson of Academy of Design commented, “We are excited to bring this to you in a new way and at a much-needed time for Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Design Festival 2021 reveals the first-ever virtual Festival that will innovatively showcase the initiatives, transforming the fashion and design tech industry. In the last decade, AOD has shaped the lives of many young creative people helping them to become young entrepreneurs and designers of today. Furthermore, Sri Lanka Design Festival has been a window to contribute to the fashion, tourism and design-tech industry as a whole and we are proud to collaborate with inspirational and like-minded businesses to elevate the industry as a whole.”
The Festival will be open to the public for free and requires only prior online registration. For more information regarding the event and online registrations please visit www.srilankadesignfestival.lk