Life style
Bridal and hair trends for 2021
by Zanita Careem
Simplicity in bridals, =short bridal veils, =fresh faced looks and coloured hair
Ramani Fernando of Ramani Salons, an experienced hairstylist who is renowned for her excellent hair cuts and sublime hair colouring.
I have looked after hundreds of brides and its always a privelege being involved in thier big day says Ramani.
Though the big wedding may seem like a distant memory in 2020, brides around the country aren’t giving up on the dream altogether: Adapting to he new normal, this year’s chaos has had a significant impact on the way brides choose to wed, setting a new tone for 2021.
With the arrival of 2021 we’ve tapped Ramani Fernando to give us the lowdown on how bridal fashion has been thrown up- side down in 2021.
“It’s been heart-warming to watch everyone pivot and adjust and continue to celebrate beautiful moments of love in a safe and different format,” says Ramani . Our experience was very interesting, it’s always a little nerve-wracking lexperience something completely new and different, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like 2021 bride needs right now—simple. elegant, luxurious dresses or sarees.
And through it all, we’ve seen couples get creative with their nuptials, and do away with all of the frills to embrace the day for what it is: a celebration!
So, with that in mind, these are the bridal trends we’re tipping to be huge this upcoming year, from the gown and bridesmaids dresses to the decor and flower arrangements.
Bridal Gown Trends 2021
Arguably the main event for many of us, gowns are usually where we see the most changes happening year-on-year. But this year, all trends seem to embrace individuality and bold statements that aren’t too fussy It’s all about fun and ease in 2021.
According to Ramani, we can expect versatility to be a major point for bridal gowns come 2021. “Brides are opting for chic and simple silhouettes. an understated elegance that results in a dress which can be worn on more than one occasion, rather than living in storage for years to come,” she says.
With this shift,this popular hairdresser says we can expect a continuation of off-whites and neutral tones to dominate. as well as an increased demand in “high quality, luxe dresses which are designed to last a lifetime.”
I think we’ll see splashes of pastel accents. You can never go wrong with a soft colour says Ramani adding that “it doesn’t take away from the bride but it adds beautiful. feminine touch-points throughout the day and experience.”
‘We’re big fans of unconventionally-coloured weddings dresses and with 2020 being such a gloomy affair for many, we’re hoping to see lots of bright aisle’ moments taking place in the new year.
And, while vibrant hues may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the key to making them classic is all in the silhouette. Unlike day-to-day dressing where we recommend keeping shapes and fits simple when playing around with colour, for your big day. Opt for a show-stopping shape that keeps the look chic and elegant
For the brides daring to bare, we suggest opting for a full-length dress that doesn’t distract from the main event.
The best part?
It does wonders to flatter but the flexible elastic allows you to freely mingle and dance without being held down by tight fabric—a win, in the looks.
It goes without saving that a dress just isn’t for everyone. And even those who always pictured themselves wearing a Princess Diana-style monument have found that sarees indian or Kandyan are more suited to some.
And luckily, a host of designers in Sri Lanka are starting to do bridal attires to suit the shape of brides.
We’re particularly loving the chunky tie-up styles as well as the spaghetti strap versions that add a whimsical touch to even the most classic of silhouettes.
Forget sweetheart and scoop, 2021 will be all about square necklines said one the bridal designers.
As we’ve seen in the fashion trend cycle, straight, minimalist necklines are an instant way to dress up an outfit, and can be just as flattering as the deeper-cut options said one of these designers.
The simplicity of this elegant shape means it can be worn with just about any shape or dress length. too.
Bridal Accessory Trends 2021
You’d be forgiven for wanting to keep your accessories low-key-especially if you’ve splashed out on a gown—since it’s a common mistake that they can steal the limelight. Bold and colourful accessorises peacefully coexist with the rest of your took, but it can compliment and even elevate an entire bridal look.
High Impact Headwear
Understated looks certainly have their place, but statement headwear is an exciting addition to any outfit.
Between all the options out there, the world is your oyster, but we’re loving the new classics like chunky headbands and embroidered veils.
The golden rule with these accessories is to keep your makeup and hair looks relatively classic. Nothing suits a headpiece more than a chic. slicked bun a la Miranda Kerr.
Pearls have been the reigning accessory trend this year. and so of course they’ll be popping up everywhere in the bridal sphere.
Look out for pearl-encrusted stilettos and hair accessories that inject a bit of old-school Hollywood glamour.
Non-traditional Footwear I _, , ,
Something that we’re definitely going to be seeing more of in 2021 are darker colour – or the bride and groom parties/
To make sure the looks are more classic than risque or even boring, Ramani has created silhouettes that are flattering and have thoughtful touches like bow details and frilled hems that keep them interesting, all while not stealing any attention.
Traditionally thought to be a bit of taboo when it comes to bridesmaids dresses, prints are slowly gaining traction as a way to introduce some fun into the mix.
Even better, having each bridesmaid in a different dress has also become the go-dewy with a touch of glow. Neutral eyes with shimmer and contour to enhance one’s look. will be popular.
Q: Hair styles, hair colours and haircuts: What do you think the trends will be?
A:
Sleek low buns, hair combed backwards and clipped behind the ears. Even lose hair with waves will be popular.
Q: The haircuts and colours?
A:
Tousled bob haircuts, the hair bobs texlined hair cuts but this will change according to the client’s requirements.
Talking about
the young teenagers they love to colour their hair in purple, red and green. The older folks will be having their perennial favourite colour brown or bronze with darker roots and lighted ends..
A new year beckons new changers. Switching things up with brand new hair colours are fashionable for 2021. The trends right now reflect all that has been happening in our world and our lives says Ramani Fernando.
People are looking to lift up their spirits with new shades or make their lives easier with less maintenance. We hope 2021 will be a brighter year for all. Fashions change style remains.
Life style
Celebration of taste, culture and elegance
Italian Cuisine Week
This year’s edition of Italian Cuisine Week in Sri Lanka unfolded with unmistakable charm, elegance and flavour as the Italian Embassy introduced a theme that captured the very soul of Italian social life ‘Apertivo and’ Stuzzichini’ This year’s celebration brought together diplomats, food lovers, chefs and Colombo’s society crowd for an evening filled with authenticity, refinement and the unmistakable charm of Italian hospitality.
Hosted at the Italian ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, the evening brought Italy’s golden hour ritual to life, embracing the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality and sophistication of Colombo social scene.
The ambience at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, effortlessly refined, evoked the timeless elegance of Milanese evening culture where ‘Apertivo’ is not just a drink , but a moment of pause, connection and pleasure. Guests were greeted with the aromas of apertivo classics and artisanal stuzzichini,curated specially for this edition. From rustic regional flavours to contemporary interpretations the embassy ‘s tables paid homage to Italy’s diverse culinary landscape.
, Italy’s small bites meant to tempt the palate before meal. Visiting Italian chefs worked alongside Colombo’s leading culinary teams to curate a menu that showcased regional authenticity though elegant bite sized creations. The Italian Ambassador of Italy in Sri Damiano Francovigh welcomed guests with heartfelt remarks on the significant of the theme, highlighting how “Apertivo”embodies the essence of Italy’s culinary identity, simple, social and rooted in tradition.
Sri Lanka’s participation in Italian Cuisine Week for ten consecutive years stands as a testament to the friendship between the two countries. This year focus on ‘Apertivo’ and ‘Stuzzichini’ added a fresh, dimension to that relationship, one that emphasised not only flavours, but shaped cultural values of hospitality, family and warmth. This year’s ‘Apertivo’ and “Stuzzichini’ theme brought a refreshing twist to Italian Cuisine Week. It reminded Sri Lankan guests t hat sometimes the most memorable culinary experiences come not from elaborate feasts but from the simplicity of serving small plates with good company.
Italian Cuisine Week 2025 in Sri Lanka may have showcased flavours, but more importantly it showcased connection and in the warm glow of Colombo’s evening Apertivo came alive not just as an Italian tradition.
(Pix by Dharmasena Wellipitiya)
By Zanita Careem
The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the longest-running thematic reviews promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Founded in 2016 to carry forward the themes of Expo Milano 2015—quality, sustainability, food
safety, territory, biodiversity, identity, and education—the event annually showcases the excellence and global reach of Italy’s food and wine sector.
Since its inauguration, the Week has been celebrated with over 10,000 events in more than 100 countries, ranging from tastings, show cooking and masterclasses to seminars, conferences, exhibitions and business events, with a major inaugural event hosted annually in Rome at the Farnesina, the HQ of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The 10th edition of the Italian Cuisine Week in the World.
In 2025, the Italian Cuisine Week in the World reaches its tenth edition.
The theme chosen for this anniversary is “Italian cuisine between culture, health and innovation.”
This edition highlights Italian cuisine as a mosaic of knowledge and values, where each tile reflects a story about the relationship with food.
The initiatives of the 10th Edition aim to:
promote understanding of Italian cuisine, also in the context of its candidacy for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage;
demonstrate how Italian cuisine represents a healthy, balanced, and sustainable food model, supporting the prevention of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes;
emphasize the innovation and research that characterize every stage of the Italian food chain, from production to processing, packaging, distribution, consumption, reuse, and recycling
The following leading hotels in Colombo Amari Colombo, Cinnamon Life, ITC Ratnadipa and The Kingsbury join in the celebration by hosting Italian chefs throughout the Week.
- Jesudas, chef Collavini,Travis Casather and Mahinda Wijeratne
- Barbara Troila and Italian Ambassador Damiano F rancovigh
- Janaka Fonseka and Rasika Fonseka
- Mayor Balthazar and Ambassador of Vietnam,Trinh Thi Tam
- Anika Williamson
- Alberto Arcidiacono and Amber Dhabalia
- Thrilakshi Gaveesha
- Dasantha Fonseka and Kumari Fonseka
Life style
Ethical beauty takes centre stage
The Body Shop marked a radiant new chapter in Sri Lanka with the opening of its boutique at One Galle Face Mall, an event that blended conscious beauty, festive sparkle and lifestyle elegance. British born and globally loved beauty brand celebrates ten successful years in Sri lanka with the launch of its new store at the One Galle Face Mall. The event carried an added touch of prestige as the British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick to Sri Lanka attended as the Guest of honour.
His participation elevated the event highlighting the brand’s global influence and underscored the strong UK- Sri Lanka connection behind the Body Shop’s global heritage and ethical values.
Celebrating ten years of the Brand’s presence in the country, the launch became a true milestone in Colombo’s evolving beauty landscape.
Also present were the Body Shop Sri Lanka Director, Kosala Rohana Wickramasinghe, Shriti malhotra, Executive chairperson,Quest Retail.The Body shop South Asia and Vishal Chaturvedi , Chief Revenue Officer-The Body South Asia The boutique showcased the brand’s
complete range from refreshing Tea Tree skin care to the iconic body butters to hair care essentials each product enhancing the Body Shop’s values of cruelty ,fair trade formulation, fair trade ingredients and environmentally mindful packaging.
The store opening also unveiled the much anticipated festive season collection.
With its elegant atmosphere, engaging product experiences and the distinguished present of the British High Commissioner, it was an evening that blended glamour with conscience With its fresh inviting space at Colombo’ premier mall, the Body Shop begins a a new decade of inspiring Sri Lankan consumers to choose greener beauty.
Life style
Ladies’ Night lights up Riyadh
The Cultural Forum of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia brought back Ladies’ Night 2025 on November 7 at the Holiday Inn Al Qasr Hotel. After a hiatus of thirteen years, Riyadh shimmered once again as Ladies’ Night returned – an elegant celebration revived under the chairperson Manel Gamage and her team. The chief guest for the occasion was Azmiya Ameer Ajwad, spouse of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to K. S. A. There were other dignitaries too.
The show stopper was Lisara Fernando finalist from the voice Sri Lankan Seasons, wowed the crowd with her stunning performances. The excitement continued with a lively beauty pageant, where Ilham Shamara Azhar was crowned the beauty queen of the night. Thanks to a thrilling raffle draw, many lucky guests walked away with fabulous prizes, courtesy of generous sponsors.
The evening unfolded with a sense of renewal, empowerment and refined glamour drawing together the women for a night that was both historic and beautifully intimate. From dazzling couture to modern abayas, from soft light installation to curated entertainment, the night carried the unmistakable energy.
Once a cherished annual tradition, Ladies’ Night had long held a special space in Riyadh’s cultural calendar. But due to Covid this event was not held until this year in November. This year it started with a bang. After years Ladies’ Night returned bringing with a burst of colour, confidence and long-awaited camaraderie.
It became a symbol of renewal. This year began with a vibrant surge of energy. The decor blended soft elegance with modern modernity cascading its warm ambient lighting and shimmering accents that turned the venue into a chic, feminine oasis, curated by Shamila Abusally, Praveen Jayasinghe and Hasani Weerarathne setting the perfect atmosphere while compères Rashmi Fernando and Gayan Wijeratne kept the energy high and kept the guests on their toes making the night feel intimate yet grand.
Conversations flowed as freely as laughter. Women from different backgrounds, nationalities and professions came together united by an unspoken bond of joy and renewal. Ladies’ Night reflected a broader narrative of change. Riyadh today is confidently evolving and culturally dynamic.
The event celebrated was honouring traditions while empowering international flair.
As the night drew to a close, there was a shared sense that this event was only the beginning. The applause, the smiles, the sparkles in the air, all hinted at an event that is set to redeem its annual place with renewed purpose in the future. Manel Gamage and her team’s Ladies’ Night in Riyadh became more than a social occasion. It became an emblem of elegance, and reflected a vibrant new chapter of Saudi Arabia’s capital.
Thanks to Nihal Gamage and Nirone Disanayake, too, Ladies’ night proved to be more than event,it was a triumphant celebration of community, culture and an unstoppable spirit of Sr Lankan women in Riyadh
In every smile shared every dance step taken and every moment owned unapologetically Sr Lankan women in Riyadh continue to show unstoppable. Ladies’ Night is simply the spotlight that will shine forever .This night proved to be more than an event, it was a triumphant celebration of community, culture and the unstoppable spirit of Sri Lankan women in Riyadh.
In every smile shared, every dance steps taken and every moment owned unapologetically Sri Lankan women in Riyadh continue to show that their spirit is unstoppable. Ladies’ Night was simply the spotlight and the night closed on a note of pride!
- Evening glamour
- Different backgrounds, one unforgettable evening
- Shamila lighting traditional oil lamp while chief guest Azmiya looks on
- Unity in diversity
- capturing the spirit of the evening
- Radiant smiles stole the spotlight
- Every nationality added its own colour and charm
- Elegance personified
- Crowning the beauty queen
- Chairperson Manel Gamage welcoming guests
- Captivating performances
- Royal moment of poise and power
- Elegance and style in every form
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