Bringing her niche clothing brand from New York to Sri Lanka
Self-taught mom-boss and founder of Lois London, Radhika Perera-Hernandez, launched her successful brand in Sri Lanka earlier this month, presenting LucidR 25, a dramatic show at the Cinnamon Life.
“It’s predominantly resort wear, but with a twist – our pieces effortlessly transition from day to night, from poolside to dinner party,” she told the Sunday Times.
Lois London interestingly began in New York. “After five years in corporate America and the news of my first child on the way, I began to rethink my future. I realized that I wouldn’t feel happy or fulfilled if I continued down the same path with a child at home,” Radhika said, reflecting on her time in New York, working for a celebrity clothing brand.
Elegance of flowing pieces: Radhika launched her brand with LucidR 25 at the Cinnamon Life
Determined to create a new future for herself, Radhika set a personal goal to launch her own line. In 2012, she brought Lois London to life in New York, and it soon garnered attention from major publications like Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. “I built my website, sewed every piece by hand, and even hand-beaded each design—all by myself. I did this for years, even though I wasn’t making any money. The pieces were quite expensive and catered to a very niche market.”
After struggling to make sales, Radhika credits her husband for helping her rethink her approach. “It was just me, draping fabric in various ways to create designs that made me feel sexy, without revealing too much of my body,” she said.
Taking the ramp: Radhika (left) with a model. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
It was at then Radhika re-launched the brand with a convertible dress, designed to be worn in multiple ways to suit different moods and occasions. “That dress was a game-changer for us—it really pivoted the brand,” she explains. “I was fortunate enough to have a network of well-connected friends, many of whom were celebrity stylists, and that’s how my post went viral. That year, I truly felt like I had launched my brand.”
After the birth of her second child in 2017, Radhika’s perspective shifted. “I realized that life was about more than just the business and the hustle; it was about creating a safe and nurturing environment for my kids. Coming back home to Sri Lanka felt like the best gift I could give my family,” she reflects. With production already based in Sri Lanka, she knew that returning would only strengthen the brand.
“Lois London is the brand we proudly produce and export from Sri Lanka,” she said with a sense of pride.
Looking back on her journey, she noted the evolution of her craft: “From sewing and creating each piece myself ten years ago to where we are today, I’ve now moved on to conceptualising and collaborating with an incredibly talented team. We’re now able to handle the technical intricacies and bulk production of our designs. While we started with loose, flowing pieces, we’ve now diversified into more structured and tailored looks as well.”
Drawing inspiration from luxury brands like Elie Saab and Christian Siriano, Radhika expresses her desire to create a lasting legacy. “It’s still incredibly exciting to see one of my creations on someone, and when they truly appreciate it, that feeling never fades for me. It’s what keeps my busy mind moving, even though, honestly, I’d love to retire now,” she adds with a laugh.
She is grateful to those key individuals who played a crucial role in the success of her Lucid R25 show at Cinnamon Life (one of her top favourites, alongside her showcase at New York Fashion Week in 2015). “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a few incredible people, Ryan and Jonny from ‘You’re my Favorite’, my glam team led by Sharine Gunasekara, Anjuli Flamer Caldera, Sharron Gometz, Anoma, Lakshani Sathasivam, Nivini Balachandra, Lanka Pattiarachchige, Natalie Seneviratne, Nihara Wijayaratne, Nadine Jayaratne, Rehan Amarasekera, Harin Katipearachchi, Sanjaya Mendis, Tara Germani and last but not least my favourite Puerto Rican papacito Rob.”
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