HSBC COLOMBO FASHION WEEK 2013 IN 10TH YEAR OF INFLUENCING FASHION
At Tuesday evening's first official HSBC CFW Press Conference, President Ajai Virr Singh set the stage for excitement and anticipation, of the most awaited and sought after fashion show in Sri Lanka. In the past decade, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week's influence has been holistic; be it the development of Sri Lanka's fashion design industry, retail network for local designers, commerce or promotion of the industry through a marketing platform, so much so, it is known as the backbone of Sri Lanka's fashion design industry. This year being a landmark year, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week pays tribute to the next generation of designers, saluting them, supporting them, and also paying tribute to their mentors; their pillars of inspiration. “When I look at the industry, I only get inspired for the future of where Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry is headed, and that is definitely to match and compete with the best in the world. With encouragement and support, we will strive till we achieve it. We have gone through the toughest times and yes there are challenges but the future looks bright.”
SAYS AJAI V SINGH PRESIDENT OF HSBC COLOMBO FASHION WEEK.
This edition of HSBC Colombo Fashion Week 2013 is planned for 3, 4, 5 April 2013.
Among them, will be two young Sri Lankan designers who are taking the world of fashion by storm in the US, namely Nishantha de Gruiter whose label Suitsupply has been the rage in Wall Street for the last two years. GQ's favourite Nish partners Suitsupply, one of Europe's trendiest clothing stores for dapper gentleman that's taking over America, state by state. The other, Radhika PereraHernandez, British born is the creator of the brand ‘Lois London' renowned for its mesmerizing kaftans and swimwear.
In honour of its decade-long commitment
to supporting the “GenNext” of the fashion industry, HSBC CFW will also debut some of the youngest talent from Sri Lanka and the world, finalized by a meticulous selection process and mentored by industry experts that include internationally acclaimed designers such as Agatha Ruiz de La Prada, Bibi Russell and Rizwan Beyg. Additionally, the Sri Lankan contingent of designers will include the winners of the previous two Gen-Next Award's namely Dimuthu Sahabandu and Deneth Piumkashi, who debuted internationally. Deneth Piumakshi, who after receiving last year's award was given the extra edge required to be additionally awarded the Institut Française's illustrious Art residency that allowed her privileges for collaboration and networking in France, making her the first Sri Lankan fashion designer to win the grant in its practice since 1950.
In line with its primary objective to provide a commercial fashion platform for Sri Lankan designers, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week has worked tirelessly establishing collaborations with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Russia, Miami Fashion Week, Malaysian Fashion Week, Karachi and Dubai.
On the media front, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week continues its collaboration with Fashion TV, and has created a media partnership with Russia Fashion Week allowing for live streaming of both shows. Hence whilst HSBC Colombo Fashion Week takes place this year it will be streamed live in Russia!
This year HSBC Colombo Fashion Week are organising three fabulously themed after-parties at different venues within Hilton, bound to be the party event for the season and Fashion workshops by international personalities and trainers in partnership with British Council, HSBC Colombo Fashion Week's knowledge partner.