Life style
Life time achievement award for Yolanda
Yoland Aluwihare has been awarded with several accolades and awards both locally and internationally. With more than 50 years of design experience, the name, Yolanda Aluwihare has always been synonymous with haute couture fashion in Sri Lanka Her timeless designs and works of art along with her contribution to society, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the bridal show organised by the Bride and Groom Magazine held at the Colombo Hilton. An entrepreneur herself with several decades of experience under her batik adorned belt Yolanda also advocates the acceleration of women empowerment in the island. Her career as a designer entrepreneur and a business woman has garnered multiple milestones in her career.
I did not inherit Yoland Collection it was my creative abilities that helped me to launch this brand. It all started in a little room with a kerosene oil cooker. When my children started schooling I had free time and I wanted to learn something to keep myself occupied. 50 years ago I started the art of Batik as a hobby. I followed a course in Batik, Tie and Dye, Fabric Painting and did a Diploma in scientific dress making. I started creating a few pieces at home.
What sparked your interest in fashion ?
Even as a child I used to make dresses for dolls. All painted in water colours. I had a love for art and I used to carry all the prices for art and needle work. My hobby was collecting dolls and dressing them. Ena De Silva was my husband’s aunt and I used to visit her work shop where she produced all her batiks. This craft fascinated me.
More about Yoland label ?
Some of the first pieces that I made were ponchos, wrap skirts, maxis and flared trousers. These were very fashionable then.The next important step, I took was to open a shop at Hotel Lanka Oberoi in the 80s. The GM liked my work and offered me a shop, window to sell my garments. Afraid to venture but yet courageous enough to go forward I employed three girls to help me. I registered my company as Yoland Batik (Pvt) Ltd in 1975 with a company Logo. Since then I have opened many shops in Sri Lanka under the Yoland Collection label, and expanded my business.
In 1975 the non-align conference was held in Sri Lanka and most of the foreign delegates stayed at the Oberoi Hotel. I was asked to do a fashion show for the VIPs. It was a great success and at the venue one of the VIPs offered me a stall at the Frankfurt International Trade Fair in Germany.
To make a long story short this was my maiden trip abroad on business. After this first trip I was chosen by the Sri Lankan governments to represent Sri Lanka in many international trade fairs around the world.
You have been part of the fashion industry for many years. How would you describe your journey.Having done so many trade fairs around the world and with the knowledge I gained, I was not afraid to expand in Sri Lanka.
My next shop was at Liberty Plaza which I Purchased outright. Then I opened at the Bandaranaike International Airport and at Crescat. Today I have my own space with my brand name at Fire Fly (One Galle Face) and at CresCat – Boulevard.I built a large three storied factory for production. I have everything under one roof and it is very convenient.
Originality, and good quality is a must. They will bring your label to the top of the competitive world of fashion. Another important point is to have a comprehensive production team under one roof as it makes life so much easier.
It is also very important to take part in prestigious fashion shaws like C.F.W. where your product is exposed to the public. It is the ideal platform for you to exchange your knowledge and to showcase your creative talents.
Being a woman and setting up a business in the late 70’s was easy. However, Raw material was not freely available. It was difficult to do exports as there was a lot of red tape involved. I had to obtain all sorts of certificates. During that period there was a quota system and I needed a permit to export. Also there were foreign currency restrictions. Anyways I managed to survive against all odds.
It is really thrilling to know that I have dressed many important ladies. My first experience was again during the non-align conference when President Kaunda’s wife and Gadarfi’s wife selected some of my creations. I have also done many clothes for our past president Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga and also our first ladies Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakshe and Aioma Rajapaksa and Maithree Wickramasinghe.
In what ways would you say fashion in batiks has evolved and it is good or bad.
The fashion industry of batik has evolved to a great extent. However, the market is saturated with a lot of poor quality batik garments, which is bad for the industry.But not only in the world of fashion, but you have been also been a style icon comment.
I believe in wearing silhouettes that are elegant as sophisticated. I do not follow fashion blindly. I always try to have a style of my own signature look.
What is your first creation and for whom.
My first creation was a wall hanging which I gifted to my brother. Subsequently I created various clothes for my husband and two children.
Your reasons behind your success.
I am the only designer of hand painted Silks in Sri Lanka. It was challenging to break in to International markets. I was the only Sri Lankan Designer who participated at the Fashion Trade Fairs such as Muba Fair in Basel – Switzerland, Fierrade Milano, Frankfurt Messe, Berlin, Japan, India to name but a few.
As a Senior Designer in the fashion industry my main aim is to promote our heritage and culture that spans for over hundreds of years by introducing our handcrafted technics such as batik Tie & dye, handloom.I believe in my product and my creative abilities which helps to make the Yoland brand a success.
Last but not least what next for Yoland Batiks.My brand is a household name and has won many national and international awards over the years. My company was launched over 50 years ago and I wish to continue to design beautiful creations.in the future too.