Fashion
Burst of colour , energy and enthusiasm
Passion, dedication, innovation, inclusivity and the sheer joy of living, were the hallmarks of the five new categories under leading sleep and leisurewear brands Mackly and SEDA that took to the ramp in a burst of colour , energy and enthusiasm, modelled with great elan by none other than Mackly and Seda’s loyal customers !
Conceptualized by Founder Sharmila Srikumar, the ‘mom’ behind the brands, the explosion of designs and colours transcended that of a mere ramp show, making it a joyous expression of life .
Speaking at the show, Founder Sharmila Srikumar said “our designs are innovative, inclusive, sustainable and above all designed through a mother’s eyes, while the SEDA wedding collection is a guaranteed honeymoon extravaganza”.
Sharmila expressed her thanks to Venue Partner Cinnamon Grand, Gold Sponsor Expo Lanka, Silver Sponsor Naturub, Beverage Partner Olu Water, Event Partners Sync and Move and 4Planet, Hair and Makeup Partner Senisha who has partnered with the brand since its inception, fabric partner Ocean Lanka, and choreographer Rukshi.
The exuberant young models did full justice to the 84 garments , making this a fashion show with a difference , one where literally the proof of the pudding was in the eating as evidenced by the models.
Under the SEDA brand, the audience were treated to a stunning yet functional display of teen wear, comprising SEDA Teens, Innerwear, and Black Active, combining statement pieces designed to find favour with the most fashion conscious teen, high performance active wear featuring sleek designs utilizing advanced fabric technology, while the innerwear ensures the wearer of both comfort and style.
The SEDA Wedding Collection was unbridled luxury combining silk and satin, oozing feminity and oomph; a sheer delight!
Forerunner Mackly introduced Kids Active, an environmentally friendly line of active wear for children which is both stylish and comfortable, complemented by their Leak-Proof Panty for girls which provides a reliable solution for their hygiene requirements. Baby Clan which caters to toddlers upto the age of two and Glow in the Dark which ensures that bedtime is playtime as well as sleep time, with your little ones literally glowing in the dark, ensuring you always know their whereabouts, were a visual delight.
With regards to future plans, Sharmila said they are exploring the possibility of opening more offline stores as well as partnering with complementary brands that are in sync with Mackly, thus offering a one stop shop for kids. “On the international front, we are experiencing a positive growth in India and very soon we will go live with Zalora , a leading online portal based out of Malaysia”.
Mackly and SEDA are synonymous with ethical fashion, while sustainability is a way of life where all deliveries are done via an electric car, with recycled paper being used for packaging.
“We pride ourselves on our gender-neutral designs, bypassing traditional stereotypes and offer a diverse range of colours, patterns, and motifs that aren’t tied to specific gender norms, We celebrate cultural diversity in our designs, thus instilling a sense of ethics and values in kids from a young and impressionable age”.
All in all the Mackly and SEDA fashion show transcended fashion, as it projected style, sustainability, functionality, innovation and a way of life ; the culmination of one woman’s dream, passion and dedication.
Founder Mackly and SEDA , Sharmila Srikumar addressing the audience
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London aged 80.
Costelloe became one of the best-known names in British and Irish fashion and was personal designer to the late Diana, the Princess of Wales.
His family issued a statement on Saturday saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness”.
They added: “He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London.”
He was born in Dublin where his father ran a successful company making raincoats.
After studying at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design he moved to Paris where he took a course at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.
He set up his own label in 1979, Paul Costelloe Collections, and presented collections at London Fashion Week, as well as in Paris, Milan and New York.
In 1983 he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, a collaboration which continued until her death in 1997.
Costelloe often used traditional Irish fabrics and textiles in his designs, including Irish linen and tweed.
He collaborated with Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer for the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in October this year.
He was criticised in 1998 when he said that Irish women lacked style.
“Irish women have difficulty with style because it’s not in their inner nature… like the Italians,” he said at the time
However, during an interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ this year, he said he felt that Ireland was more European than years ago.
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin said he was “very saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Costelloe”.
“An icon of design, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage,” he said.
Tánaiste (deputy PM) Simon Harris said Costelloe had “led a remarkable life”.
Harris added: “He built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
“He leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it in the years to come. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered.”
[BBC]
Colombo Fashion Week CFW marked a glittering milestone this season -22 glamorous years of elevating Sri Lankan fashion. CFW ‘s evolving platform has shaped designers,nurtured creativity and positioned the island on the global style map
While becoming one of the most influential style platforms in South Asia,what began as a visionary initiative has grown into a movement shaping designers, nurturing talent, reviving craftsmanship and bringing global attention to the region’s extraordinary design language.
This anniversary will shimmer with nostalgia, innovation and unmistakable South Asian flow.
From handwoven saris reimagined for the modern woman to bold menswear, resort wear, sustainable collections and couture dipping in embellishments.
CFW has proved once again that Sri Lanka stands proudly among the region’s fashion capitals.
Over the past decades CFW has redefined the region’s fashion identity.it created opportunities for young designers to open pathways to international markets, revived craft communities, and built a culture where fashion is both creative and responsible.
Today, its influence extends beyond Sri Lanka attracting designers and fashion lovers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and the wider South Asian sphere.
No celebration is complete without acknowledging the artistry of Raman Fernando, whose beauty direction has shaped the CFW aesthetic since its inception.Her partnership has been integral to elevating the event’s aesthetic from the backstage transformations to the signature looks that complemented each designer’s wish.
Twenty two years on CFW, remains more than a fashion show, it has shaped Sri Lanka’s design voices, contributed to the region’s fashion economy and created a dynamic bridge connecting South Asian talent with the world.
As CFW celebrates its 22 year journey one great thing is clear – the next chapter promises more brilliance, innovation and South Asian glamour. CFW continues to champion young talent through its emerging designer programmes giving newcomers the guidance needed to enter the industry with confidence.
This November Colombo fashion week steps into a bold new chapter with the launch of its latest season titled Couture and Trousseau .a refined platform dedicated to craftsmanship, luxury and modern elegance. This new edition will spotlight Sri Lankan and South Asian designers who specialise in refined couture techniques, artisanal detailing and timeless elegance.
The Couture and Trousseau Edition aims to showcase fashion as both art and heritage where modern silhouettes meet meticulous handicrafts and where designers elevate their creations to the realms of treasured pieces.
The new theme, I am sure will promise a unique runaway rich in sophistication, drama and the signature glamour for which CFW is known for
Couture and Trousseau – the season that redefines Sri Lanka fashion
A new era of elegance, couture and trousseau takes over
Beyond the runway presentations, CFW has established a substantive track record with at least 80% of featured designers having emerged from its ecosystem, with particular emphasis on nurturing Sri Lankan talent. Designers who have developed their craft through CFW have subsequently achieved international recognition, demonstrating that sustained commitment and strategic focus deliver results in an industry often characterized by transient trends.
At 22 years, CFW stands as one of only four fashion weeks in Asia to surpass the two-decade mark, a feat that underscores both its resilience and its relevance. Unlike many regional events that have come and gone, CFW has evolved into a diplomatic force, fostering reciprocal partnerships with fashion weeks across the BRICS nations, the Commonwealth, and South Asia.
This extends beyond runway presentations. CFW generates measurable economic impact through tourism, hospitality infrastructure development, and the creation of business opportunities that benefit host cities and their broader communities. The platform’s model demonstrates how strategic cultural investment can drive commercial growth across multiple sectors simultaneously.
Since 2003, CFW has systematically expanded its scope, inviting designers from neighbouring nations to share the platform with Sri Lankan counterparts. The result is a distinctive space where regional diversity is celebrated rather than marginalized and where collaboration supersedes competition. In a geopolitical climate frequently defined by division, CFW presents an alternative narrative: fashion as shared language, commerce as common ground.
This November 2025, CFW’s new season titled ‘Couture and Trousseau,’ strategically focusing on a segment of fashion that presents significant growth opportunities for Sri Lankan designers: bridal and destination weddings. This expansion reflects South Asia’s burgeoning bridal market and positions Sri Lankan designers to capture a larger share of this lucrative sector. By identifying and activating relevant commercial opportunities prior to each season, CFW continues to demonstrate that regional collaboration and sustained investment in creative talent can reshape not only an industry, but the economic landscape of an entire region.
The Couture + Trousseau season of CFW was presented in partnership with Nations Trust Bank American Express, Cinnamon Grand, Lanka Tiles, IDL, Vision Care, Hameedia, ITC, Beauty by Rosh, Ramani Fernando Salons, , Emerging Media, Hardtalk and Acorn whose continued collaboration strengthens CFW’s commitment to celebrating innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship within Sri Lanka’s fashion industry.
Two Miss Universe judges have resigned days before the annual beauty pageant, with one of them accusing organisers of rigging the selection process.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, who announced his resignation from the eight-member jury on Instagram, alleged that an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected finalists ahead of the competition, set to be held on Friday in Thailand.
Hours later, French football manager Claude Makélélé also announced he’d pulled out, citing “unforeseen personal reasons”.
The resignations come two weeks after several Miss Universe contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event over controversial comments made by an official from host nation Thailand.
“An impromptu jury has been formed to select 30 finalists from among the 136 participating countries, without the presence of any of the real eight members of the jury, including me,” Harfouch wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday, saying he had discovered this via social media.
The unofficial jury comprises “individuals with a significant potential conflict of interest due to some personal relationships with some of the Miss Universe contestants”, he claimed.
Harfouch did not elaborate on how this “impromptu jury” would function, or how it would override the official jury’s decision.
The Miss Universe Organisation on Tuesday put out a statement to rebuff Harfouch’s claims, saying that “no external group has been authorised to evaluate delegates or select finalists”.
It suggested that Harfouch may have been referring to the Beyond the Crown programme: a “social impact initiative” that operates independently from the Miss Universe competition, and has a separate selection committee.
The Miss Universe Organisation announced the Beyond the Crown selection committee on Monday. In its statement on Tuesday, the organisation said that Harfouch’s allegations had “mischaracterised” the programme.
Mr Makélélé, who also announced his resignation via Instagram, described it as a “difficult decision”. “I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence – values I have always championed throughout my career,” he wrote.
The beauty pageant drew backlash earlier this month after its Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, at a pre-pageant event for not posting promotional content on her social media platforms.
In videos that have since gone viral, Ms Bosch and several other contestants could be seen walking out of the event, and some could be heard shouting at Nawat.
Mr Nawat later claimed that some of his words were misunderstood – but his conduct nevertheless prompted a stern rebuke from the Miss Universe Organisation, which has since sent a delegation of international executives to take over running the competition.
[BBC]
Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
Fakhar Zaman fined 10% of match fee for showing dissent at umpire’s decision
Showers will occur in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern,Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Uva provinces and in Matale district
IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction
Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP
Govt. to roll out loan facilities for new entrepreneurs from next month
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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