SLDF: Aiming to take local design to global markets
Ashleen’s (inset) take on streetwear with saree fabric
Ashleen Adikari, an alumnus of the Academy of Design having studied Fashion Marketing launched her streetwear brand ‘Sita’ last year. One of the designers taking part in this year’s Sri Lanka Design Festival, Ashleen says her brand is about redefining the ideology of what it means to be a South Asian woman – “It’s about breaking the boundaries to celebrate women, gender and sexuality on a spectrum.”
Her collection uses saree fabrics which have been mixed and matched and crafted into contemporary streetwear pieces. Although she was certain that she wanted to incorporate saree materials into her collection this year, she took some time to consider what kind of message she would relay through her work. “As many uncertainties and the instability in the country challenged me emotionally, I also experienced and saw the struggles of the day-to-day vendors from whom I would source my fabrics. Taking this into context, I wanted to document Sri Lanka 
as what it truly is; a mysterious, exotic and beautiful country by documenting the marketplace in Pettah, its culture and our people.” Her collection is made entirely out of fabrics and trims which have been gathered and handmade locally.
The theme for the Sri Lanka Design Festival that takes place from December 2 to 4 is ‘Panoramically new, panoramically local design lokayak’. Presented by the Academy of Design since 2009, the SLDF this year features a line-up of exhibitions, shows, talks on design, eco-social innovation, circularity and sustainability, knowledge-sharing sessions, design markets, performances and more.
Ashleen adds that she is thrilled about this year’s theme. “I believe there’s a certain authenticity when a product is produced locally. It is embedded with the craftsmanship and knowledge that is specific to each country. Therefore, when it is presented on an international platform, the collection speaks volumes.”
The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka as well as the Academy of Design Grad Exhibition will be two key events of SLDF 2022.
Nawoda’s (inset) design with 3D textured textiles
Showcasing the works of over 100 regional designers, business owners, and organisations who have been impacted by economic hardship, SLDF aspires to promote a stronger involvement of Sri Lanka’s creative sectors bringing their vision to an international platform; connecting exciting solutions, ideas, and processes that are locally based yet relevant to audiences all over the world.
Nawoda Bandara, a final-year Fashion Designing and Textiles student from the Academy of Design will be participating in the event for the first time. “No Rules to Follow” her collection is centred on sustainable luxury womenswear taking inspiration from her personal experiences of having dreams with vivid visuals such as moving and changing geometric patterns. Her collection was completed by incorporating 3D textured textiles and a double weaving handloom technique, a technique she describes as both very challenging to accomplish and uncommon in Sri Lanka.
Nawoda credits Zaha Hadid, the Iraqi-British architect, artist and designer, as one of her inspirations along with postmodern architecture. Her collection utilises high-quality waste fabrics and yarns as well as with dead-stock knitted collars, unravelling the yarns to create handloom, crochet, and knitted fabric, thus linking sustainability with local crafts.
“I believe that it is important to showcase locally made designs on an international stage because the world is still not aware of the hidden crafts and creativity in the bloodline of heritage fashion in Sri Lanka,” Nawoda says.
The festival in a hybrid format has the events taking place at the Colombo Innovation Tower, 477, R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 04, also available online for interested viewers. For more information visit the SLDF website and register online for the festival and its events on
www.srilankadesignfestival.lk
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