Every stitch is a livelihood, a story, a cultural memory – Amalie Seneviratne

Yevāana sets its sights on global expansion, with plans to enter the USA, Europe, and Asia through exclusive concept stores, curated pop-up showcases, and strategic collaborations that align with the brand’s ethos of conscious luxury.

Amalie Seneviratne, is a Sri Lankan young designer domiciled in Nairobi who is the co-founder of the brand Yevaanaa, a young label dedicated to ethical, hand crafted clothing and the women who make it.

“We wanted to create something that honours our roots. Yet feels modern and international “Amalie says Yevaana is about slowing down fashion and elevating the artisan’s hand. Yevaana’s journey began with this young designer Amalie’s fascination for Sri Lanka’s heritage.

She has built a brand that sources natural fabrics and employs women artisans in rural communities. As she explains, ‘Every stitch is a livelihood, a story, a cultural memory’.

Nairobi is Yevaana’s second home because of its vibrant, youthful style scene. In return, the label absorbed Nairobi’s energy and colour.

Kenya has a dynamic craft culture of its own “Amalie notes. Bringing our Sri Lankan techniques into Nairboi’s artisans and customers felt organic – like two traditions finding common ground. Most of her designer pieces resonate both Sri Lanka and Kenya.

More than a clothing line, Yevaana positions itself as a social impact project. The brand partners with women’s groups to offer training, four wages and flexible working hours. Fashions can be a vehicle for economic independence Amalie says. Our hope is that Yevaana will be a template for how small, heritage-based brands can thrive ethically across borders.’she reflects

As Yevaana,’s brand grows Amali envisions a full circular supply chain and even more cross pollination between Sri Lanka and Africa. ‘Today people want clothes with meaning’, she says . They want to know who made them and how Yevaana is our answer to that call.

More than a clothing line, Yevaana positioned itself as a social impact project. Her workshop offers training, four wages and flexible working hours.

Yevāana is a sustainable womenswear label born from a creative collaboration between Sri Lanka and Kenya, representing the craftsmanship of the Global South. We focus on eco-conscious fabrics, artisanal heritage, and minimalist yet distinctive design. Every collection is produced in small, exclusive batches, highlighting both the uniqueness of each piece and the brand’s commitment to slow, responsible fashion.

Yevāana grew out of the desire to celebrate cultural fusion, ethical fashion, and artisanal craftsmanship. Their vision

is to position the brand as a Global South leader in sustainable luxury, where craftsmanship, cultural narratives, and responsible fabrics come together to create exclusive, collectible statements for the conscious woman.

Yevāana’s mission is to craft limited-edition garments that showcase Global South artisanship within the global luxury space. Every design reflects cultural pride, responsible production, and the rarity that makes each piece a modern heirloom.

The core values are sustainability, – prioritizing natural and eco-friendly fabrics. We use eco-conscious fabrics and slow processes, not as activism, but as deliberate choices that make our pieces more valuable and enduring said

Amalie

Artisanship and women empowerment – preserving traditional skills, especially hand embroidery and smocking. We honor artisans not as “workers” but as creators of couture, elevating their skill to the highest form of luxury.

Exclusivity – producing limited runs to reduce waste and ensure uniqueness. We believe true luxury lies in rarity-small batches, numbered pieces, and garments made to be treasured.

Modern elegance – This brand stands for design that is minimal yet bold, refined yet daring, embodying the spirit of confident, global women. says this young designer Fabrics and sustainability The brand Yevāana works with low-impact and responsible textiles that embody conscious luxury.

We work exclusively with natural, eco-conscious fabric chosen not only for their luxurious feel and breathability, but also for their minimal environmental impact. These materials are biodegradable, kind to skin, and produced without the use of harmful chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.

Each fabric is sourced with intention, in partnership with trusted suppliers, who share our commitment to sustainability and transparency. From the farm to the loom, we trace the origins of most of our textiles to ensure ethical practices at every stage of the journey.

She also points out they favour handwoven or small-batch fabrics wherever possible, celebrating the irregularities and textures that come with craftsmanship. These fabrics hold a quiet beauty that mass production simply can’t replicate. By choosing quality over quantity, we reduce waste, celebrate tradition, and honor the skill and time behind every weave.

Every look, a chapter; every show a journey

Our fabrics are dyed either using natural resources or AZO-free dyes, which are free from harmful, chemicals commonly found in conventional dyeing or dyed using natural ingredients. This ensures our pieces are not only safer for your skin, but also kinder to the This brand

Yevāana presents “The Ancient Promise” — a collection inspired by Africa’s guardianship of land, the resilience of the Maasai, and the urgent realities of climate change. While its narrative draws on East Africa’s spirit of protection and Afrofuturist visions of renewal, the garments are brought to life through South Asian craftsmanship. This cross-continental dialogue reflects Yevāana’s identity as a Global South brand — one that transforms cultural narratives and responsible craftsmanship into exclusive, collectible statements for the conscious woman.

Key Features: Hand-embroidery and artisanal detailing

that showcase Sri Lankan craftsmanship and Global South narratives.

Fluid silhouettes with bold accents , balancing elegance with striking design statements.

Eco-conscious luxury fabrics selected for their responsibility and refinement.

Limited-edition exclusivity , with each piece produced in small batches, reinforcing Yevāana’s slow fashion ethos.

This debut marks Yevāana’s first major fashion week appearance, a milestone in its journey from a regional label to an emerging voice in global sustainable luxury.

Artisans and Impact At the heart of Yevāana is a team of

11 women artisans, the custodians of the brand’s craftsmanship and vision. Their collective skill, patience, and artistry transform fabrics into garments that embody both cultural heritage and contemporary design.

Team Composition: Every member of the team is a woman, specializing in hand-embroidery, smocking, and fine tailoring. These techniques are not only design elements but also living traditions, carried forward with each stitch and silhouette.

Impact: Future Goal: Yevāana’s vision is to expand artisanal employment for women while preserving the exclusivity and craftsmanship that define the brand. Growth will be guided by a commitment to heritage preservation, sustainability, and creating garments that carry both cultural value and personal meaning.

Key Milestones January 2025: Yevāana founded and first collection launched.

May 2025: Participated in the brand’s first invite-only pop-up in Nairobi, Kenya.

September 2025: Began stocking at The Artisanal Gallery

a luxury boutique in Nairobi.

Nairobi Fashion Week will be held in January , marking the brand’s debut on the international stage.

By Zanita Careem