Life style
Gabriel Couture debuts feminine and ethereal collection
by Zanita Careem
Ultra feminine, a fairytale collection, ethereal, these were the descriptions of Anusha David’s GABRIEL COUTURE collection unveiled at the LOVI Ceylon ‘Brides and Grooms of Sri Lanka Reimagined’ presentation.
“Designing along with animal welfare have always been my twin passions and I am fortunate indeed to have achieved both”. Anusha who presented four of her original creations along with an exotic bridal sari from Fabric Gallery who sponsored the fabrics for her collection, has at last fulfilled her dream of having her own couture label.
Why Gabriel ? ” My father’s name was Gabriel and he was just the most amazing, magical, person in my life. He would always say I could achieve anything I set my sights on and encouraged me in whatever I wanted to do, except climbing trees, riding bicycles, dri
ving and going in the sun, which were taboo as far as a traditional Indian father was concerned. It’s only fitting that I name my dream after him”!
Anusha has always been passionate about all things beautiful and exotic. “I have always adored clothes. As a little tot though I never played with dolls ; it was always animals for me and I had a myriad pets ranging from dogs, cats, a monkey, a goat, birds, etc, but I would spend hours creating what to a seven year old was couture clothing for my vast collection of paper dolls, something all little girls in the 1960s had an abundance of. I had boxes and boxes of paper dolls and their outfits which ranged from playwear to ball gowns and saris. A good part of my day was devoted to designing clothes for my paper dolls and this continued till I was almost 15”.
Anusha’s dream almost reached fruition when in 1983/4 she was about to launch a fashion label with Kirthi Sri Karunaratne and Ranjini Wijewardene titled ‘AnuKi’ . ” The machines were bought, visiting cards printed, designs all ready on the drawing board and even staff hired, but alas it was not to be !
However today Anusha who is a staunch believer in the mantra – no matter how hard you fall, pick yourself up and carry on; has realised her dream!
“When Asanka the Founder and CEO of LOVI Ceylon asked me to plan out a PR campaign for his LOVI bridegroom collection, the thought popped in to my mind – shall I also join the group of bridal designers and take the opportunity to realise my dream. I asked Asanka whether this would be alright with him and he was fully behind me. My partner Michel Nugawela was a million percent behind me and encouraged me every step of the way while my best friend Maeve Martenstyn was a power of strength and a fountain of knowledge having had her own dress boutique ‘Orientations’ which was the go to place for ladies clothes in the 70s and 80s”.
As for future plans, Anusha hopes to have her first fashion show no sooner the pandemic abates. “My very first fashion show will feature a range of couture with the theme being ‘Endangered Species’. All clothes will depict the colours of feathers and pelts of endangered animals, birds and reptiles, as well as plants, I have already started designing and all proceeds will go towards animal welfare my other passion”.
“Never ever give up on your dreams. It’s never too late to achieve them. As written by English poet William Ernest Henley in his immortal poem Invictus, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”.