ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Vol. 42 - No 06
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Simplicity of exotic Egypt

Dilly’s, Colombo’s popular designer store will go Egyptian this week. As a new Voyages collection is unveiled with creations inspired by the land of the Pharoahs, with the idea of giving the customer a total experience, the Blue Water Ayurveda Spa will simultaneously present Cleopatra’s beauty secrets in the Dilly’s foyer on July 13, 14 and 15.

It all came about when research for the new collection was being done, explains Dilani Wijeyesekera, Dilly’s inspirational designer adding that they were intrigued and fascinated to discover that Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt had a factory devoted to beauty products and that milk baths and mud masks and other such treatments were part of her everyday beauty routine. Then came the idea to give customers an insight into the Egyptian woman, not just the clothes she would favour and the accessories she wore but also the ingredients that went into making her look good.

The Voyages collection, as always is classic Dilly’s- simple silhouettes, with the emphasis on cut and fabric. White and gold predominate- “the Greek and Roman influence on the Egyptian look” says Dilani, with the distinct touches coming in hand embroidered and hand painted Egyptian motifs and trims. Sea greens and blues, colours that come out strongly in their jewellery appear too but the heavy designs of the jewellery itself are avoided as Dilani feels that each wearer should give the garment her own individual touch with her individual personality and fashion accents.

Rookmanie Fernando, the General Manager of the Blue Water Ayurveda Spa along with the team from the spa will be on hand at the Dilly’s store to take interested customers through the intricacies of the beauty secrets of the Egyptians. Some of these can be made at home, says Rookmanie, and the team is eager share the simpler ones; how even a glass of water kept overnight with two pieces of cucumber, with two spoons of curd added in the morning can make a good body treatment and how honey can work for both skin and hair etc. Products used in the Blue Water Ayurveda Spa, many of which they have manufactured themselves after extensive research using local herbs and materials like copra, kohomba and sandalwood will be demonstrated but not sold at the store, the idea being to inform and involve the customer in this Voyages collection rather than actually make it a commercial effort. Those keen on experiencing the treatments could of course visit the Blue Water Spa, Rookmanie adds.

Dilani envisages the Dilly’s foyer space taking on a different ambience with each collection. And with Egypt now in place, there’s India, ‘red and white’ Japan and more to look forward to later this year.

 
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Copyright 2007 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.