WCIC members walk the talk at Ramp Up 2024
A touch of traditional style with Hely Batiks. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
For a second consecutive year, the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) presented Ramp Up 2024, their effort to empower women entrepreneurs in fashion. Held on November 12 at the Hilton Hotel Co-lombo, the show was aimed at helping women build export brands through engagement, empowerment and enrichment.
In a novel touch, Chamber of Industry and Commerce members and business women of Sri Lanka walked the ramp to showcase the collections of the 11 designers and eight fashion partners chosen for this year.
Thilina Lace by M.B. Priyani drew on local culture with Beeralu collaborating with Ru’s jewellery, the models toting bags by Nihinsa Handicrafts. Fathima Marleen introduced Fathima Trends with traditional elements accompanied by modern styles in a collection with colour palettes of soft pastels and earthy tones.
Samitha Wijayasekara’s Wedding Flowers Gallery unveiled eco- friendly designs and wearable art blending nature and fashion. Designer Charith Wijesekara collaborated as clothing partner for this collection.
Amrita Hapuarachchi with Amani, focused on clothing for tropical weather, accessorised with pieces from Dili’s Cart by Dilini Pavithra Dissanayake who uses discarded and recycled items as the base. Teaming up with Amani, the collection was called Incomparable Jewellery.
Jayantha Senevirathne with Eco Pal, incorporated natural dye extracts in her work including elements such as iron rust, flower extracts and leaf that has ayurvedic properties. It was complemented by OMRA created by Imesha Gajaweera whose love for art saw pieces with alternative natural materials.
Niluha Swarnamali Wimalasena’s Hely Batiks featured traditional black and white batik and cotton silk with jewellery designer Dilani Weerasuriya using up-cycled materials like wood, paper and shells and traditional Kandyan jewellery.
Kanusha Nanayakkara with Saheli Creations featured Dumbara weaves, beeralu, batik and organic linen while Gayathri Jayasinghe with Silk Wraps by Gees had ruffled black and white attire with glitter sequins as a pink accent. Jewellery from Ruwini Jayarathne using natural gemstones and Anne Gunasekera’s clutches and bags from Boutique Fiori completed the look.
Christeen Silva Goonewardene with her collection “I am Enough” by Absolute celebrated the power of the modern woman while Jezza Jameel’s collection Sculpted Success by Jezza showcased long flowing, flattering dresses and pleating techniques for structure. The collection fea-tured footwear by Franco and accessories by PG Martin.
Ruchira Karunaratne presented ready to wear designs, also a delicate bridal collection and Rebel Menswear.
WCIC’s initiative to have members walking the talk by modelling the collections of new and established designers is surely to be commended.
“I am Enough” collection by Absolute
Ruchira Karunaratne acknowledges the audience
Jayantha Senevirathne’s Eco Pal Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.