• The most sought-after
• Treasure Trove
• Christmas budget
• Creams & lotions
• 
• 

The most sought-after

By Wathsala Mendis

Never have I met a person who speaks so passionately about Uncle Sam as Michael Wijesuriya does. His whole face lights up and once he starts, there's no holding back. "America , they say, is the Land of Opportunity. You go there and you realize that it is. If you work hard, you can really make it to the top."

One could feel a trace of nostalgia in his voice when he says, "My whole stay there was a pleasant experience. It was the turning point in my life." A graduate in Business Administration and Hotel Management, Michael stepped into the world of fashion design quite by chance.

Today, he's one of the most sought-after names in the field. But in spite of his success, he longs to go back to his quiet, happy days in the States.

Time of day

Midnight. You see, I don't get to sleep till about 2 a.m. Actually, I like being up. Every evening I find something to do like hanging out with my friends, going somewhere... I mean, you have very little time on this earth. Why sleep and waste that time?

Movie star

Whoopie Goldberg. Unique character. She fits into certain roles for which it is really difficult to find substitutes.

Person

My mother. She means a lot to me. And also my father.They've been role models for me. They allow me to do what I want to do in life and never interfere in anything.

Place

Salt Lake City, Utah. That's where I started life on my own. I led a very sheltered life at home. The decision to go there for my higher studies was my own. My parents had nothing to do with that. And it was really a wonderful experience. Given the chance, I would definitely go back.

TV programme

"America's Funniest Home Videos." You see, I don't have much time to sit in front of the TV. This is a programme I just happen to watch. I love humour. Besides, it's about real-life situations.

Food

Junk food. I love hamburgers and French fries. I'm the kind of person who doesn't have a settled mealtime. I have no breakfast, lunch or dinner as such. I eat whenever I'm hungry.

Song

"I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston. I've never seen the movie. But I like the singer. The lyrics are fantastic with a lot of meaning.

Memory

The first day I set foot in the States. It was scary. Not knowing what to do, where to go or whom to talk to. I felt like coming back. (But he stayed there for five years and it really grew on him.) It's a fantastic country, no two words about it!

Smell

The smell of anything fresh... flowers, food, air. You see, I'm claustrophobic. If anybody wearing a strong perfume gets onto the elevator, I quickly get off. I can't stand it.

Colour

Yellow. Hmmm... never thought about why. It looks good on most people.

Journey

My trip to Sydney in February this year. It was a pleasure-cum-study tour. A wonderful city. Got to see the fantastic preparations for the 2000 Olympics.

Item of clothing

White T shirt and shorts. I like to be relaxed when I'm working. And especially with the heat, nothing else could be better.

Book

The Bible. My whole life revolves around religion. You see, I'm not a qualified designer. I mean, I've never studied it properly. But it's amazing how I've caught on in this trade. I'm baffled as to how I made it! It's all thanks to my faith, I think.

Hideout

Hikkaduwa. Any trashy resort! Not the five-star hotels where you have no privacy. A place where you can walk in rubber slippers and just be yourself without anybody interfering.

More Mirror Magazine