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Dear
Coz Take
the risk Dear
A.D, Wait a while Hello
out there Dear Anuradi, My one and
only sweetheart Shanaka, My everloving
Asela, My loving
Isan, To Bathiya
Aiya, Dear Romesh
D, My little
Ayangika, Hi sweet
Pooh, Blitz
hits Colombo
How did he get into the fashion industry? Prasad's mother who was
interested in fashion subscribed to different fashion magazines
like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, etc. Glancing through these, Prasad
developed an interest and college days saw him experimenting with
his ideas through fashion shows, not only in his college but also
in ladies colleges.
After graduation, Prasad went to the reputed National Institute
of Design, Ahmedabad, India and thereafter worked in an Ad agency.
Somehow, he got many fashion-based accounts that led him to training
and choreographing for them. Soon he was training teams, big time
and doing shows at Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, San Francisco, London
and Paris. He has also done shows for the Indian government.
Back in India Prasad Bidapa is also an image consultant, running
Prasad Bidapa Associates, a division of the Design and Print Group.
His production staff of 15 assists him in every aspect of work -
photography, choreography, sound, planning and design. He counts
many distinguished clients in India and overseas in his portfolio.
Considered one of the most influential style entrepreneurs, his
opinion is sought on various related subjects. He has helped position several big international brands like Levis jeans, Evian, Swarovski, etc. Prasad is also a family man. He derives great pleasure from being with his children, aged 17 and 12.
"Sri Lanka has so much to offer - textiles, talent, culture
and cuisine. It is this that we want to promote and present to the
West and neighbouring countries" "Sri Lanka
lacks a professional outfit to organize events and the time is just
right for an organization of this sort to be created," says
Charles Wijesundera. The dawn of this new era of peace, he explains,
has awakened the economy, bringing with it new enthusiasm in the
country. Blitz will
work in association with Prasad Bidapa, a well-known fashion personality
in India. Currently he is one of the leading event organizers in
India having nurtured the Indian fashion industry for the last 2
decades. "Sri Lanka
has so much to offer - textiles, talent, culture and cuisine. It
is this that we want to promote and present to the West and neighbouring
countries," says he. Having visited
Sri Lanka several times, he has been fascinated with Kandyan dancing,
the food and the music that form part of the Sri Lankan culture.
"Even with the conflict, there has always been an aura of peace
that comes, perhaps from the Buddhist philosophy in this island." Blitz also
aims to bring international entertainers - the best the world has
to offer - such as leading fashion designers, theatre and a variety
of events to Sri Lanka, as they wish to promote not only tourist
interests but also business interests. Taking on the
role as a foundation for Sri Lankan arts, Blitz would provide a
registration service for every talented singer, dancer, model, etc.
in the cultural/entertainment field and showcase the vibrant cultural
traditions of this country. "We are
going to initiate a big talent search," Prasad Bidapa says.
If India could win the Miss World title seven times in the last
10 years, Sri Lanka, its closest neighbour, with people looking
very much the same as the Indians, can do it too!" He further
explains that Blitz would take on the responsibility of finding
new talent, training and grooming them. Training would
include choreography, hair, makeup, sound and lighting. "It is
a platform for young Lankans to excel in what they dream of and
there is a market waiting out there," he enthuses. Experts
would be flown in for the different sections of the training programme. Prasad Bidapa
is eager to train those with the talent and desire to win. He however
warns that there are many that prey on young unsuspecting individuals
and exploit them. "If any of them ask you to pay to make you
a model, regard that as a warning bell," he cautions. Modelling,
he says is a good profession that one can stay in for close to 15
years. Those aspiring
to become models just need to get the proper professional training
for around a year and it would be normal for them to take about
two years to establish themselves. With India's
style guru Bidapa behind it, Blitz has a lot going for it. Bidapa
is now looking forward to working with Sri Lankan models. "My
priority is to take them to India - girls and boys and enable them
to participate in shows. Blitz intends to start operations in April. However, as they were asked to manage the JD Fashion International Awards Show this month, and a theatrical show next month, they are in business right now with many more events in the pipeline for every month. |
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