‘Jai’ of colour
Driving through Horton Place in Colombo 7, you may find yourself glancing at the window display of Aashkii. If the daring sarees aren’t reason
Bold and Batik: Jai’s creations. Pix by Anuradha Bandara
enough to take a second glance, the bold prints and splashes of colour draw the observer in with a glamorously exotic aura of their own. Inside, Jaishree Jayesingha has only a little while ago popped in from her other store at the Arcade Independence Square. Balancing her two stores, her workshop and being busy with the launch of her own label hardly seem to faze the designer. Seated in her office, clad in one of her own creations; a deep purple dress and bright smile to add, her design mantra is clearly a reflection of her own vibrant personality.
Colombo was first introduced to Aashkii around eight years ago when Jaishree set up her store down Maitland Crescent. Bringing in labels such as Satya Paul and Ritu Kumar to fashion conscious Sri Lankans, she decided to test the waters before making her own entry into the industry. Garnering a growing fan base for Satya Paul, Jaishree was keen on doing a more Sri Lankan take on the beautiful yet extravagant sarees, exploring a more subtle approach she felt would cater more toward the Sri Lankan palate. “I always thought if we have the potential why we don’t try it,” she explains and so started on her own label Jai almost one and a half years ago.
Using a single word to sum up her collection “colour” is what her style, her stores and her designs are all about. Flowing kaftans, sarees, batik inspired evening dresses to office wear and seemingly endless skirts made from over five metres of material make up her current range. “Sri Lankans want simple but smart,” is her understanding.
Jaishree: Creating her own look
Self-taught, she found herself designing for her friends from a young age and read through catalogues and magazines looking for new ideas. Hoping to appeal to a wider base Jaishree’s collection opens to both mature women looking for elegant sarees and corporate wear but also includes batik inspired dresses, skirts and lacy crop tops for today’s teenagers. “Today’s teenagers are very fashion conscious,” she adds and so wanted to include pieces that would suit her younger clients. With a fashion show in less than a week she is excited to be, what she calls “properly” launching her brand.
The launch of ‘Jai’ will take place on December 5 at the Aashkii store, Arcade Independence Square at 7.30 p.m.