Bright Sparks light up a rainy evening
Duvindi Illankoon takes us to the ramp
Melanie: An edgy yet relaxed look in blue and white
The 2014 edition of the Colombo Fashion Week Resort Wear show dawned bright and early on Wednesday, October 1. The good weather did not last too long, however, and by 7.30 p.m. the ramp and everyone on it had been rained on. That didn’t stop CFW founder Ajai Vir Singh and his team from blazing ahead with their show, and the first Bright Sparks segment of the Resort Wear edition introduced six relatively new faces to the industry at Jetwing Blue, Negombo.
The first collection by Jayani Perera was inspired by beeralu artwork. The purple and white toned designs she presented were fringed with off-white beeralu and occasionally accessorized with a gold chain-link belt. Jayani’s collection was both casual and lightweight, “which is what a resort collection should be,” she said.
Melanie Grey’s collection in blue and white captured the essence of the show’s relaxed, but edgy resort theme well. Her last look, a casual sleeveless blue dress with white diagonal pattern work received the most enthusiastic nods from those in the audience, and the designer herself wore the same when she took her turn on the ramp. “It’s a great privilege to be here,” she commented. Wielding different techniques, Melanie used blue because it was “an energetic colour” and white to enhance the subtlety of her work.
Compere Dino Corera introduced the third designer’s work as ‘psychedelic’-the beachwear collection by Palika Witharana was certainly bright, floaty and whimsical. The swimwear came with removable long skirts (for breezy evenings, and those with a penchant for drama in their holiday wear).
Young designer Binari Schendra’s fusion of Japanese and Sri Lankan dyeing and beeralu techniques made for an interesting addition to the already unusual cultural marriages on the ramps. “I drew mainly from Japanese origami along with Sri Lankan beeralu lace,” shared the designer. Binari hopes to launch her online store later this year.
Shivoni Cooray’s collection was inspired by wildlife, with a slightly batik vibe to it. Her models also carried black clutches emblazoned with a patterned stripe.
Heshan de Silva, the only male designer of the night, presented his first collection for the CFW Resort Wear edition; the Mexican inspired theme worked for the designer, who was also presenting his first women’s wear collection.
The Bright Sparks show continued on Thursday night as well.
Shivoni: Our cover picture and this creation; inspired by wildlife with a touch of batik
Binari: Making a mark with Japanese and Sri Lankan dyeing and beeralu techniques
Palika: Floaty and whimsical
Jayani: Casual and light with a touch of beeralu. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara