February, 11, 2019
Founded in 2003 with a vision to impact, define and revive the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka, Colombo Fashion Week, popularly known as CFW enters its 16th year with an expanded plan to shift gears and take the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka to the next level with a multi-pronged approach. This multi pronged approach will have evolved focus on designer showcases, designer retail through a new program called “Look and Book”, Sri Lankan fashion design exhibition to celebrate design, marketing promotion of Sri Lankan designers through films and also celebrate and showcase Colombo as a destination.
HSBC the lead partner and sponsor celebrates its 12th year of association with Colombo Fashion Week, as it has believed in the vision of CFW to develop and uplift the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka.
“We are happy to partner Colombo Fashion Week as the title sponsor for the 12th consecutive year as the event celebrates not only fashion but art, food and the history and life in Colombo, that will help put the city on the map. As the leading International bank that has been here for over 126 years, we believe in creating opportunities, fostering growth and supporting the country’s development through such events that raise the profile of Sri Lanka. This event is one that is keenly anticipated by our customers as one of the biggest lifestyle events in Sri Lanka.” Mark Prothero CEO HSBC, Sri Lanka and Maldives
The key move to showcase the city of Colombo to be seen as a vibrant city is for three key hotels to host the shows. Hilton Colombo on the 2nd March, Shangri-La Colombo on 1st March and Galle Face Hotel on the 28th Feb. This is the first time such collaboration has come about between three important hotel brands. The initiative to collaborate was led by Hilton and accepted with a bigger purpose by Shangri-La and Galle Face Hotel to showcase Colombo from a destination perspective. The GM’s of the three hotels were singular in their thinking and aligned well to support this cause.
“It’s been a great partnership that has benefitted all of us throughout the years, which has placed Sri Lanka on the global map as being a must visit destination not only for sun, sea, culture and adventure, but for fashion too. This season having all three hotels participating would further strengthen our efforts in promoting Sri Lanka as a must visit destination. ” Says Manesh Fernando, General Manager Hilton, Colombo
"Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is pleased to partner with Colombo Fashion Week, a movement that has revived the fashion industry in Sri Lanka, " says Timothy Wright, Vice President and General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. He elaborates, " Bringing together a collaboration of diverse partners in a city-wide initiative, Colombo Fashion Week presents the ideal platform to portray Colombo as a vibrant art and fashion destination across the globe." Says Timothy Wright, Vice President and General Manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.
"The Galle Face Hotel is proud to be a part of Colombo Fashion Week this year. The vibrant nature of this event goes hand in hand of what this property is now; truly vivacious and exciting. Through events such as these, we would communicate our rich history and heritage and look forward to capturing the hearts of many worldwide." Says Robert C. Hauck, General Manager & Area Vice President, Galle Face Hotel
“CFW will expand its focus this year, it is like shifting gear to increase momentum, we are focusing on fashion industry and also the city of Colombo to be associated with fashion and be showcased, the three hotels coming forward to host is a strong start, I am thankful to HSBC and other partners to align themselves in this development project.’ Says Ajai Vir Singh, Founder and MD of CFW.
More than 30 designers, both local and international are set to showcase over a period of four days. Some of the international designers include Rajesh Pratap Singh and Sukit Dir. The Sri Lankan designers list will feature Sonali Dharmawardena, Charini Suriyage, Maus by Annika Fernando, Meraki by Sharmila Ruberu, Dimuthu Sahabandu, FH by Fouzul Hameed, ‘Jai’ by Aashki, Amilani Perera, Lovi Ceylon by Asanka De Mel, La Pard by Dinushi Pamunuwa, La Sari by Nilanka Silva, Brian Kerkoven, Aslam Hussein, Vathsala Gunasekara, Indi by Indeevari Yapa Abeywardene, Kamil Hewavitharana and Gihan Ediriweera among others.
Fashion Films will take the lead this season, with the creative industry of films coming together to collaborate with fashion and creating a platform to promote fashion through films and vice versa. This will lead into a Fashion Film Award, where one director wins the award.
CFW partners with 3 major hotels, Hilton Colombo, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo and Galle Face Hotel this season to bring you Fashion+Food, they will create limited edition menus expected to give participants an unparalleled gastronomical adventure, exclusively during the fashion week from 25th February to 3rd March.
Sri Lankan Fashion Design exhibition, this will be a key first, to celebrate through exhibition the work of important Sri Lankan designers, the exhibition will run for the week and is open to all to enjoy.
The Emerging Designer development program and the resulting showcase is the engine that supplies designers for the fashion design industry, this has been the key focus of CFW since inception and the result of this focus has seen the emergence of many designers that we see today. This development program will consistently grow bigger with each passing season. This season will see 10 high potential designers take the ramp, the designers have been mentored in honing their skills and guided through the CFW creative process.
This season a new mentor ship format is created to lead emerging designers. The mentorship panel consists of Kanchana T, Darshi and Upeksha, the senior designers will have sessions with younger high potential designers. There will also be an award for one young designer THE NEXT award
"The next five 5 year milestone is to create a stronger Sri Lankan story in the world of fashion, strengthening every aspect of the industry to achieve this in sync. We are off to a great start with a focus on our singular vision and the support of all our stakeholders, " says Fazeena Rajabdeen, Director/CEO of CFW
Each partner has been an important stakeholder and contributed in a significant and a relevant way to make this journey important and effective with their support and efforts. Tresemme provide the hair looks this season as the as the Official Hair Care Partner, they understand the needs of the fashion industry and individual personalities.
SML Frontier Automative - Jaguar Land Rover is the Luxury Automobile Partner of Colombo Fashion Week, their strength in design led performance is what makes them a brand that fashions performance globally.
Vision Care, the Official Eyewear Partner, has pioneered a revolution in providing state-of-the-art eye care, with its provision of high-tech eye testing array of designer eyewear, the brand has certainly re-defined the field of optometry.
Serenia Residences is the Official Residences Partner, Serenia residences offers a premium collection of 47 perfectly handcrafted, beachfront, luxury residences located in Talpe, Galle along the “Million Dollar Golden Mile”.
The iconic Ramani Fernando has been part of this journey since inception as the Official Hair and Make-up Partner, Hameedia, Colombo City Walks, Mullen Lowe as the Official PR Partner, Emerging Media as the Outdoor Digital Media Partner – all who share and extend their support towards the vision and aspirations of CFW.
For more information visit us at www.colombofashionweek.com, follow us on Instagram @colombofw, Twitter @colombofw and Facebook @colombofashionweek. Stay informed of the latest on CFW by using #colombofashionweek for the latest updates, photos, videos and more.
Participants of the Head table: L-R
Ms. Ramani Fernando – Ramani Fernando Salons, Mr.Mihira Kulatunga – Category Head Hair and Skin Care, Unilever Sri Lanka, Mr.Mubarak Gaffoor - Group Director of Sales & Marketing -Galle Face Hotel, Mr.Mark Prothero – CEO Sri Lanka & Maldives, HSBC, Mr.Ajai Vir Singh – Founder/Managing Director, Colombo Fashion Week, Mr.Manesh Fernando – General Manager, Hilton Colombo, Mr.Timothy Wright – Vice President & General Manager, Shangri-La Colombo, Mr. Ravi Perera - Chief Executive Officer -SML Frontier Automotive - Jaguar Land Rover, Mr.Dasantha Fonseka – Managing Director, Vision Care.
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