SHAHILI GOMES-McCOY
Shahili Gomes-McCoy is the embodiment of vivaciousness – an animated and cheerful young woman whose infectious energy, as well as sense of style, leaves you breathless. She divides her time between Sri Lanka and the UK where she’s been resident since 2008… more so since marrying David three years ago.
In fact, a rainy Sunday afternoon brought David and Shahili together at a bar in London; but it was on a bright sunny day while on safari in Kenya that David proposed to her.
She is the cofounder and energetic initiator of The Design Collective, a unique multi-brand store housing over 40 local and South Asian designers. Shahili has also leveraged the business acumen she garnered at the Imperial College Business School, Alliance Manchester Business School and Copenhagen Business School into Gandhara – her father’s creative high end decor store.
Like her dad Dian, Shahili is obsessed with boxing – she calls it the ‘best overall body workout’ in the world. A natural athlete who spent an inordinate amount of time in the swimming pool while growing up, she was a member of the national synchronised swimming team and captained her alma mater’s water polo team to boot.
But right now, it’s her entrepreneurial spirit that has taken over. Fuelled by a love for fashion and the arts, she is launching a platform for emerging artists and designers at The Design Collective.
An incurable people person, she naturally has a busy social calendar. However, a weekend will almost always have some avocado toast and a flat white thrown in to make it perfect. And her greatest indulgence is ice cream.
Shahili’s bucket list is extensive, involving mostly some form of travel. And since multitasking is her forte, it is highly likely that the list will be ticked sooner than later.
My parents have always been passionate about art and interiors
Q: What’s it like living in the UK after being in Sri Lanka most of your life? A: I’ve lived in the UK for 11 years so it feels like home. However, it certainly wasn’t the case when I arrived in cold and wet Manchester in September 2008! These days, I divide my time between London and Colombo so I have the best of both worlds.
Q: Marriage – what’s hot and what’s not?
A: Hot is my husband David. What’s not is being away from him when I’m in Colombo.
Q: What’s keeping you busy? A: I’m excited to be working on two new projects. One is The Design Collective New Designer Residency offering new designers dedicated space at the store and mentoring them at the start of their careers. The other is a new art initiative supporting emerging artists.
Q: So what drove you to the design field?
A: My parents have always been passionate about art and interiors so my interest grew organically from there. I studied business to hone my commerce skills but my real interest has always been in fashion, art and design.
Q: And what’s given you the biggest adrenaline rush in your startup business? A: Actually pulling it off! There were times immediately before the store opened when it seemed impossible but I’m glad we persevered. We celebrated two years in August. Time does fly!
Q: What attracted you to sport? A: I am competitive and sociable so team sports provided the perfect outlet! There’s no better feeling than winning along with your buddies as part of a team.
Q: Do you miss the excitement of being in competitive sport? A: A hundred percent, yes. I miss the excitement and adrenaline rush but definitely not the 4 a.m. wake-up calls!
Q: What was your most exciting sporting competition?
A: Taking part in the Asian Games in Doha was exciting and challenging in equal measure. It was a big stage and expectations were high. It was also super fun.
Q: So what’s your workout regime like?
A: The three Bs – Barry’s (Bootcamp), boxing and barre.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson your dad has taught you? A: To always be humble. Q: And what has your mum taught you?
A: That mother really does know best.
Q: What’s your quirkiest habit? A: I enjoy spamming my friends with photos on WhatsApp whenever
I have an allergic reaction.
Q: Which causes move you? A: The causes that move me are period poverty and female genital mutilation. Both needed to end yesterday.
Q: What do you do for R&R? A: Having a facial followed by a massage.
Q: And what would be your perfect day? A: A beach in Sri Lanka with some rosé and my buddies.
Q: How would David describe you? A: He says: “Sociable in the extreme with a proclivity for sleep.”
Q: And how would you describe him? A: The kindest and most handsome person I know.
Q: Are you a romantic? A: Yes! I send flowers to David’s office from time to time. Some men would hate this but he loves it.
Q: What are three things you can’t do without? A: My phone, acts of kindness and ice cream.
Q: And what irritates you? A: Rudeness
Q: So what’s your biggest phobia? A: Spiders and other creepy-crawlies.
Q: What’s your ‘happy time’? A: Hanging out with
David and my sister Eli.
Q: Your most memorable moment is…?
A: My wedding day.
Q: Where would you be in 10 years’ time? A: Hopefully in a happy place.
Q: What do you perceive as being the purpose of life? A: To realise our full potential as a human race. That and
Jane the Virgin (Season 5).
Q: So what’s next for Shahili? A: Turning 30!