Style is in the air as new designs hit TDC
Ringing in Valentine’s Day in style, The Design Collective store located down Stratford Avenue launched nine new brands and collections from Alejandra Dominguez, Desu, Isle of Rata, Kudya Jewellery, Gai X The Mood Stock, Yasiru Dharmawardhana, Nåd, Dimitra and Nakota Tuwa on February 6 and 7.
Speaking to Binu Wickramasinghe and Shahili Gomes whose brainchild is The Design Collective (TDC), they elaborate on why they chose these specific five brands and four collections to launch at their Valentine’s Day event, a first of many events they have planned for the year.
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- A Yasiru Dharmawardhana creation
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- Other designs at the store (above and below). Pix by M.D. Nissanka
“TDC’s priority is creativity and innovation. This is especially true in its ability to offer a range of products and brands in a diverse style spectrum. By launching new brands and collections frequently, TDC aims to create an inclusive environment and welcome a wider audience with each new collection adding something new,” they tell us pointing out for example the collaboration between Gai X The Mood Stock producing unisex shirts that combine art and fashion, Desu embracing individuality, each garment communicating a passion for identity while Dimitra celebrates women with a brand that is a culmination of different personas: an edgy hipster, an ethnic rebel and a modern-day goddess.
TDC is expanding and now houses a range of categories; from Nakota Tuwa’s new collection swimwear and active wear that uses fabrics and materials that are sustainable and eco-friendly in orange rust, olive green and other earthy tones to Nåd’s free-sized clothing in vibrant colours that is comfortable and suitable for all shapes and forms
Isle of Rataa, a new brand at TDC is an expansion of their homeware section and focuses on the fusion of traditional craft with a slight modern touch. Working with materials like beeralu and batik, the brand works with artisans from all over the island who specialise in traditional crafts to create quality products for the home.
TDC is a space not just for Sri Lankan designers to showcase their work but also for those from across Asia. Alejandra Dominguez, a Chilean visual designer and photographer based in Jaipur, India had on display handcrafted pieces merging both artistic and contemporary practices made using only natural fabrics creating a graphic yet minimalistic collection.
“TDC encourages its designers to create new collections and to collaborate with us and one another,” they tell us adding that that they champion start-up designers and encourage them to join TDC like Kudya Jewellery by Architect Gayathri Lindagedara whose contemporary designs are a result of her experimenting with brass and Yasiru Dharmawardena whose minimalist silhouettes paired with extravagant fabrics tout the brand’s belief that clothing is meant to bring fun and excitement whilst being comfortable at the same time
Asked about the the importance of supporting local young designers especially amidst the pandemic, Binu and Shahili emphasise TDC’s commitment to support local designers, young and old. “It gives such designers guidance and provides a platform for them to showcase their products. We believe that the pandemic has changed the way people connect, collaborate and socialise. As such, we believe our customers want to invest in the designers in new ways and events (online and in-store) provide opportunities for the designers to interact with customers and create a connection.”
Having made all their brands accessible to a global audience through their ecommerce site which was launched during the pandemic, they add that similar to the Valentine’s Day event they hope to encourage new designers to join future events and even create events of their own.
With much excitement, Binu and Shahili announce that they will be introducing key sustainability projects over the next couple of months and plan to expand their e-commerce customer base further this year. Watch out for TDC X designer collaborations as well as the designers they are housing collaborating with each other.