HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Day 3

Day 3 of Colombo Fashion Week opened to the strains of Coldplay as CFW’s male models took to the ramps showcasing the show’s first ever menswear edition. 

Kick starting the night was Conscience. The brand has acquired a reputation for a cool, clean cut design identity, and stuck to these roots. However amidst the high collars, colour blocked prints and  two tone pants there were a few kurthas that we really liked, and think would work well in more designer collections. 

Next up was one of Sri Lanka’s tye and dye masters: Gihan Ediriweera. Although fashion connoisseurs know the designer for his vibrant collections and fun, spunky take on tye dye, his segment for the evening inspired by the crow took us to a darker, more minimalist side of the designer.

Heshan De Silva, making a smooth transition from the Brightsparks ramp of 2015 to the main show, presented the work of his label 22.02. Metallic fabrics featured prominently; some in the form of solid metallic effect t-shirts, or patched onto formal shirts or even as pants. Whatever wasn’t metallic was black and red or another somber colour. 

Indian designer Samanth Chauham presented one of the night’s more indescribable collections as models sauntered on to the ramp in pants with overlaid skirts. His use of warm earthy prints reverberated the style of any young, hip fashion conscious male, while being in tune with the tropics.

Shanika Samarakkody’s collection was well cut and slick; a standout look was a full, loose fitting suit in an almost solid cobalt blue, alongside office and casual wear shirts. 

Bangalore based designer Sounak Sen Barat’s segment under his label: House of Three, opened on a dramatic note with heavily embellished, deep plum men and womens’ evening wear. The designer delivered an arresting, stylish, new age inspired collection which even saw velvet jackets making an eye catching appearance. 

The show closed with Mevan Kaluarachchi, a young designer whose work was based around cottons, silks and natural fabrics to create several dressy casual looks. Cigarette pants and shorts featured heavily.

By Purnima Pilapitiya and Duvindi Illankoon