The Academy of Design (AOD), South Asia's celebrated Design Campus, has been at the forefront of the Sri Lankan creative landscape since its inception almost a decade ago. AOD specializes in internationally recognised creative education, giving students opportunities to benefit through its numerous global creative networks and international platforms such as the Sri Lanka Design Festival.

The Trend Boutique, a UK-based online resource and consultancy company working alongside design and creative industries recently caught up with Lonali Rodrigo - one of AOD's emerging stars in Fashion Design.

Trend Boutique UK chose to feature Lonali in their widely accessed website for her unique and ultra-creative design work which also has a strong ethical appeal. Below is her exclusive interview with Trend Boutique UK.

Interview with Lonali Rodrigo - Founder of 'House of Lonali' by Trend Boutique UK

Lonali Rodrigo mixes her love for the planet with fashion design in her business 'House of Lonali' which turns unwanted luxury textiles and samples into funky and stunning original outfits. She does this alongside her Fashion and Design degree at the Academy of Design Colombo.

Lonali is also one of the three winners of the 2010 SLDF Ethical Fashion Designers Award and has been mentored by leading consultants to produce her 2012 Spring-Summer collection. Mentors included ethical fashion and business experts including award-winning designer Orsola de Castro, as well as Filippo Ricci, Elizabeth Laskar, Claire Hammer, Soozie Jenkinson and Paschal Little from M&S UK, Gill Westaway, Carbon Consulting Company and Mr. Ajay Amalean from MAS Holdings.

Her main aim for her label 'House of Lonali' is to create designs that are eco-friendly and ethical by keeping the manufacturing cost down and by creating innovative methods and materials to create garments from industrial waste. The Trend Boutique recently met Lonali during their time in Sri Lanka and thought it a great opportunity to interview this up and coming designer.

What are the main duties of your role?
I am a young Sri Lankan designer based in Colombo and work on all aspects of my label. My main aim is to create designs that are eco-friendly and ethical by identifying ways in which fashionable garments can be made through sustainable manufacturing, using innovative methods and materials to create garments from industrial waste/discards. My role includes designing, sourcing, manufacturing and marketing of the fashionable and sustainable clothing.

What are the best aspects about your current role?
The best aspect about my current role is that the fashion I create provides a fresh perspective to fashion designing, especially in Sri Lanka where the ethical fashion industry is very young and consequently very exciting. I am encouraged that this is a new industry in my country and knowing that I am a positive contributor to ethical fashion here is very inspiring. I like the idea that I am moving the industry forward for an independent designer and creating something new.

Are there any areas that are particularly difficult or challenging?
The biggest challenge I face today is starting my own enterprise while still studying for my degree in fashion at the Academy of Design in Colombo, and also stepping into the industry.

When employing a graduate what are the attributes you look for?
The main requirement would be to find an innovative individual who is committed to creating change.

Do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to pass on?

It is important to be passionate about what you do, and being 100% committed to what you are doing is an absolute must.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

In my career as a student, as well as a young entrepreneur, I have received a lot of encouragement and support from people around me. The best piece of advice I got was that we rarely get everything we want, and that we have to work towards our goals and our dreams every minute of every day and never give up.
What do you feel are the most important trends / changes happening in the industry that you feel

tudents should be aware of?

The move towards ethical and sustainable fashion is definitely one of the most important changes happening in the fashion world.

AOD's Principal Karen MacLeod extended her congratulations to Lonali and stated that AOD was dedicated to create more and more opportunities to generate recognition for its students and to work towards helping them take Sri Lankan design to the world.