Into fashion

Interested in fashion designing, but need some guidance? Or maybe you are already in the industry, but want to know more? Well, here's your chance to get to know the industry: The careers and potentials, the colour predictions and the latest technology. 'A Fashion Lecture Day,' organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT) is bound to cater to all your fashion needs. And what's more, you get to meet and learn from some world-renowned fashion experts.

Organized for the first time in Sri Lanka, this is certainly no ordinary lecture day. "This event provides an opportunity for fashion students or anyone interested in fashion to get together and learn a few aspects of the industry which are essential if they are to succeed," Niroshini Leanage, Director for Studies at LIFT said. "The lectures would be conducted by several leading figures of the industry and this would be a great experience for the participants," she added.

The first lecture of the day, the lecture focusing on careers in fashion as well as the demands and stresses of the industry would be conducted by Isobel Mowat who is a lecturer at the Fashion and Textile Department of the Grace School of Art, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen which is one of the top fashion design schools in the UK. "Isobel has her own label called 'isobel mowat' and has worked under many international names such as Hussein Chalayau, Alexander McQueen, John Laing of Hawich and Dawson International, Scotland," Niroshini said.

Pantone, the world renowned authority on colour and provider of colour systems would present the colour view planner for 2009 at the lecture day. "Participants will get to know the seasonal inspirations for men's wear, women's wear, cosmetics and would also be taught aspects such as colour harmony, knowledge of which is important to any fashion designer", Niroshini explained.

"This would be followed by a lecture on the latest colour technologies for print design by AVA CADCAM while Lectra, an internationally known name in the apparel industry would present the latest technologies in the fashion and apparel industry," she said.

"The lecture is open for those from the garment industry, fashion designers, merchandisers, product developers and for any individuals interested in getting to know the fashion/apparel industry," she said. "There are so many creative individuals in this country. Lectures days such as this are quite common in other countries, especially in the West. I attended a similar lecture day in UK which was very interesting. It was also a really good experience for anyone in the industry and I wanted to share this with others," Niroshini said.

LIFT is the premier institute for fashion education in Sri Lanka and is a representative for the University of Northampton, UK. The institute provides a Diploma in Fashion Design and hopes to make available a UK degree for students here. "The aim of this lecture day is to expand the services provided by LIFT to the apparel and fashion industry through education," Niroshini said, adding that there would be a range of such events in the future.

'A Fashion Lecture Day,' will be held on February 15 from 9am to 3pm at the Trans Asia Hotel. For further details on the event and tickets contact LIFT – 2592186, 2507291