Weaving in the old with the new
For young designers Ramona and Indi, opportunity seemed to knock at their door when they least expected it. The two designers literally had their hands full last October creating collections for the HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Resort Wear Show. Now in collaboration with the National Crafts Council, Colombo Fashion Week founder Ajai Vir Singh and his team hopes to promote local crafts and craftsmen through their designs.
Having been the only two designers who attended a seminar for local craftsmen it was obvious where their interests lay. “Ajai saw that,” explained Indi, who along with Ramona are the two designers chosen to work in collaboration with the National Crafts Council as they look to create a dynamic intertwining of cultures and traditions on fabric.
Ramona Oshini’s workshop has been a maze of colour these last few months. Gauzy fabrics and lace seem to cover the workstations as she brings to life her 2014 collection. This will be Ramona’s sixth show and fifth year as a participant at Colombo Fashion Week. Though she had once dreamed of being an architect, the young designer found herself discovering a new ambition being inspired by art and fashion.
This collection will see the appearance of lace, crotchet and batik work in Ramona’s contemporary pieces. Drawing influence from the soft, feminine designs of fashion greats such as Elie Saab and Valentino, Ramona says, “I don’t want it to be traditional. I want to go about it with a more contemporary approach. My pieces will be avant garde.”
A great admirer of local designers and brands such as Barbara Sansoni and Darshi from Buddhi Batiks, Ramona feels that this is the ideal platform for local talent. Working with artisans from Kandy and Galle, she is enthusiastic about how her pieces are coming together. But there are a few challenges, she concedes. “There are quite a few ups and downs when working with the craftspeople,” she admits, the main problem being lack of materials and resources, which stymies their creativity.
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| Ramona: Adding a touch of avant garde. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara | ||
And so modernity and tradition do clash – as she wheedles them out of their comfort zone. But looking around at the dreamlike dresses and the unique saree blouse made entirely of tatting and crochet, it would seem she has found a happy medium. “I want to break in with the local market,” says Ramona, who feels that within the next few years the collaboration of native crafts will find itself becoming a trend with young fashion conscious Sri Lankans. Taking an example from India, where culture is celebrated in its fashion industry Ramona is positive that, at the rate we are moving forward, this fusion style will catch on.
Indeevari Yapa Abeywardena, known simply as Indi has worked both at home and abroad as a designer and in her experience, says a good number of her customers have leaned towards more Oriental designs. Having been in CFW since 2011 and showcased her work in Australia and England she admits to being a lover of the loud, over the top sensational creations of Alexander McQueen. “I always look at their trends but prefer to follow my own,” she says, adding that she draws equal inspiration from local designers such as Darshi
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| Indi: Turning the spotlight on batik and lace | ||
Keerthisena and her friend Ramona. With her signature style of intricate detailed work and figure hugging dresses, the opportunity to be a part of this venture was a chance to do something different.
Her collection – with beeralu work and sesath inspired patterns will turn the spotlight on local batik and lace, not to mention sesath. The traditional Sri Lankan umbrella with its intricate designs and craftsmanship has long held Indi’s interest. “The history and involvement of the sesatha are what I want to show in my work,” she says.
This is not the first time Indi has worked with local artisans. In fact her partiality towards the local crafts goes back to her childhood. “My grandmother has been in the batik industry for the past 35 years,” she explains.
With the National Craft Council as the link between the designers and the local artisans, the last few months have been a ceaseless flurry of activity. The fact that the materials have to come from Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Matale makes it a slow process for the designers. “It is more stressful this year,” reflects Indi, but very satisfying, they agree, hopeful that the end result will create an impact in the local market.
HISBC Colombo Fashion Week will unfold from February 3- 8, 2014 at the Colombo Hilton.