Life style
‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’
Defining fashion in Sri Lanka with unconventional prints and designs, blending modernity with tradition and coming up with new styles for modern Sri Lanakan women is every fashion designer’s dream. Sarah Deen a popular young designer has been fearless to experiment with her new designs and re-defined the trends of our local industry. Her flamboyant prints and designs are a hit today. She commenced her entrepreneurial journey young with her very own eponymous brand. Today she is among the most influential and dynamic youth fashion icons.
by Zanita Careem
When you hear about “International Women’s Day” what comes to mind and what does it mean to you?
The theme this year is ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’ and that is exactly what we have been doing since inception with our brands Honey Pot, Fusion 14 and Skin Candy. While it’s great to have a dedicated day to celebrate women and a specific theme, I believe a woman’s achievement shouldn’t be summed up in one day, let’s appreciate and celebrate us every day!
I am in the beauty, textile and garment manufacturing industries. While they are two different areas of work, they both tie into the common thread of making a woman look and feel great. The brands (Honey Pot, Fusion 14, Alai, Skin Candy and Ira industries) revolve around fashion and beauty with the addition of ‘Ohemware’ to adorn your living spaces.
How important is it for you to see a woman succeed and what would you like to see happening in the future when it comes to your industry?
It’s been my personal goal to empower women through my businesses and beyond. We provide in-house training for all staff members by teaching them skills and share knowledge and provide extensive training. Thereafter being able to see them master their craft has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. I would like to see our industries achieve higher standards and to level up in ways we are able to compete with the rest of the world despite our socio-economic restraints at the moment.
Empowerment is a word commonly used today. How does that resonate with you?
To me what empowerment means is to lend a hand to someone that needs support, to lift them up. I believe I have done just that, with all the wonderful women I work with, and in return they have empowered me.
Tell us a little bit about the strong women influences in your life?
I am blessed to have been born into a family of extremely strong women, starting from my mother, and both my grand-mothers. I have been nurtured to be all that I am today with their care, values and guidance. I see parts of them in myself that have shaped me to be who I am.
How do you plan to expand on what you have already achieved and what is of primary importance in the near future?
My focus is to grow our businesses and adapt to new market trends and technologies – as much as this is important to ‘stay current’ – I am also looking into ways we can be self-sustainable by using only locally produced products for all businesses in areas I am able to. Our new Skin care line by Skin Candy is proudly a Sri Lankan Product!
Lastly what is the message you would like to give aspiring young women in the world today?
Set yourself a goal, and commit to it every day – Be it a little bit of planning or research on whatever you set your sights on. I think researching is really important before getting into something new! Always aim to carve out a niche, and set your own unique mark in the world! You’ve got this girlfriend!