Brazilian supermodel and Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, once said to be sure of what one wanted and be sure about oneself. Fashion is not just about beauty, but about the correct attitude too. You have to believe in yourself to succeed. Fashion leaves an impression on people and it certainly created a positive impression when young designer Prabath Samarasooriya took his collection “Expect the unexpected” to Hyderabad International Fashion Week in Hyderabad, India.
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| Prabath: Taking local designs international |
Walking the ramp for Prabath’s collection, were Miss Mauritius-Anaiz Veerpatram and Sri Lankan model and actress Chandi Perera, based in Mumbai, who showed off Prabath’s dresses made out of 100% natural craft fabric by Sri Lankan artisans to best advantage.
The expanded version of his “Jaffna Collection” and inspiration of Sri Lankan multi ethnic trends “Expect the Unexpected” saw a collection of 30 outfits, including sarees and ready to wear garments.
During his stay in Jaffna to initiate a project by the Academy of Design in Sri Lanka for the Batticaloa weavers Prabath says he saw how the Tamil population celebrated their culture and this inspired him to create trendy sarees.
He used unexpected combinations of enigmatic and vibrant shades of colour, simple but smart cut shapes and a mix of Sri Lankan and European trends to bring out a dramatic collection. ‘The garments were twisted which again gives a very dramatic and sensational feel,” he explained.
As a fashion and textile designer, Prabath says he tries to create an indigenous look with the use of local fabric, and would like to open international doors to Sri Lankan handicrafts and handlooms and promote Sri Lankan artisans skills. “At the moment we don’t have enough capacity in craftsmanship. If we find a solution to that we can find a good market. Sri Lankan designs are getting to international standards little by little,” he said adding that till recently we just followed the trend but now our designs challenge the international market.
Prabath says he had the privilege to work with international designers – the likes of Nishka Lulla, Riyaz Gangji and Neeta Lulla at the Hyderabad fashion week, who graced the last day with him. “It was a good platform to exhibit my collection and it was a new experience for me,” he says adding that he met many buyers from Milan and India who were interested in his collection. He is now working on samples for these buyers.
Having studied at St. Thomas College, Matale and done his A’Ls in Bioscience, Prabath’s life took a different turn when he met Swiss artist Radalph Zysset who taught young artists like Prabath free of charge. Under Zysset’s guidance Prabath developed his talent and together with his friends formed their own art club, the Matale club. However it was after coming to Colombo that he was able to follow his dream.
Prabath believes that it was his life in the village and love for nature, beauty and tranquility that has inspired him in his creations. His first lesson on art was from his father who Prabath says had an artistic hand. “Having broad-minded parents and lots of freedom helped me to develop my creativity,” he says.
“Bibi Russell of Bangladesh, Randy Sunday of Norway and Chandramani Thenuwara of Sri Lanka use local material and local resources to create something trendy for the global market. They have inspired me to take our traditional fashion and local skills to the world,” says Prabath who works as a lecturer and consultant of a leading fashion institute in Sri Lanka.
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