Life style
Styles, trends and designers at Colombo Fashion Week
by Zanita Careem
The Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) has created a benchmark in Sri Lanka’s fashion industry.
The focus of CFW 2020 was to encourage participants and Sri Lankan designers to connect stakeholders to embark on responsible focus in fashion. Kudos to CFW founder and Managing Director Ajay Vir Singh, Sri Lanka for achieving this amidst lockdowns and social distancing regulations and while the world was grappling with the question of whether-and how they should allow ‘physical fashion shows’.
The show was to be held in March with many upcoming local and foreign designers. But the pandemic put the brakes on this hectic jet setting schedule and cast a new light by holding the fashion week in August reshaping its schedule. Quite unavoidable was the absence of international designers.
What was noticed this time at the CFW was that it was truly becoming responsible with contemporary silhouettes. Sustainable style was certainly on the agenda of the fashion designers.
An array of different styles and trends was showcased on the runaway by our designers. The three-day edition was an amalgamation of sustainable fabrics, contemp
orary silhouettes and trendsetting styles.
Over the years, the Fashion Week had earne
d the reputation for being one the most sought after event in the local fashion calendar. The fashion show gave an impetus to local talent putting Sri Lanka on the international map.
CFW Founder and Managing Director Ajai Vir Singh expressed that holding the CFW amidst a pandemic was challenging. Since the environment was changing, the m
indset and behaviour of society was changing. Of course, this change brought its own challenges. We had to be innovative and come up with a presentation of fashion that would be accepted and relevant to the new environment. To do this, we briefed designers on the new mindset and they worked on new ways to present their collections in keeping with the ‘new normalcy’ where fashion is no exception. The pandemic changed circumstances completely so it required new health
gether, CFW 2020 also illustrated how fashion and art go hand- in- hand. Singh shared that this move to combine different forms of art and creativity was put in place partly by the need to create a more engaging format of presentation that appealed both online and offline. “One of the key challenges this year was to create a unique format of presenting fashion which is attractive,” he noted.
and safety protocols, including a very small number of guests presented in an interesting way, wearing masks, temperature checks, social distancing, and so on.”
Linking performance, art and fashion to
The long-awaited 2020 season took to the ramp over three curated nights from 13th to 15th August, showcasing the best of Sri Lankan fashion. The first two nights of the CFW were held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo with the finale event taking place at the Hilton, Colombo.
CFW 2020 was the first fashion week of its kind to take place globally following the pandemic hitting us earlier this year, with the CFW team going above and beyond to implement health and safety guidelines for the protection of its guests.
Day 1 of CFW, which took place at the Shangri-La Hotel, showcased Sri Lankan designers’ newest fashion talent featuring brands from emerging designers and painted a picture of the future of Sri Lanka’s fashion landscape.
Day 2 of CFW, also unfolding at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, shone a light on some of Sri Lanka’s favourite established designers, opening with the latest collection by Aslam Hussein and closing with Dimuthu Sahabandu, whose brand has grown with the CFW, developing from a young, emerging brand to the established Sri Lankan designer brand it is today.
The finale evening at the Hilton, Colombo showcased some of the country’smost beloved designer brands with the likes of Indi, Jai by Aashkii, and Meraki featuring their latest. The season closed with the unveiling of the latest collection of designer Charini Suriyage’s eponymous label Charini to both online and offline audiences while maintaining the quality of CFW productions. Singh added: “for this, we had to create interesting collaborations with music, dance, and the literary scene of Sri Lanka which was a global first, where the celebrated Sri Lankan author Ashok Ferrey did a reading while fashion was being presented. This was a unique event where creative collaborations were showcased and appreciated by the audience.”
The Day 2 opened with designer Aslam Hussein’s collection going down the runway to the reading of an excerpt from Ashok Ferrey’s latest book, The Unmarriageable Man, read by the author himself.
About Sri Lankan fashions moving to the future, Singh said: “we believe the future of CFW is bright and is an evolved platform in line with the new needs of the fashion industry and the new consumption patterns of society. In a nutshell, CFW remains a development platform with an evolved look and relevant solutions.”
Introducing A 350 on Colombo route
It was a breathtaking afternoon when Emirates welcomed the Sri Lankan media and industry leaders aboard its Airbus 350 to offer a taste of Emirates luxury travel experience recently.
This marked a significant milestone introducing an exciting new dimension in air travel to and from the destination of Colombo .
This aircraft combines next generation cabin design and exceptional passenger comfort paired with outstanding onboard services . Speaking to the media and industrial leaders, Esa Sulaiman Ahamed Senior Vice President West Asia and Indian Ocean Commercial Operations at Emirates said this new aircraft will bring a fresh experience to the Sri Lankan travellers. We’ve been in the market for 30 years, and he reaffirmed thier dedication to boost regional connectivity and tourism by deploying the A350 on the Colombo route. He highlighted that the introduction of A350 the largest aircraft in the Emirates fleet,to the Colombo route was a significant milestone
Emirates created a benchmark in air travelrecently by presenting the first experience on the Colombo Dubai route the A 350 which will now operate six days a week.
Emirates Premium economy was quite a luxury with interiors in cream coloured leather and wood panelling similar to the Business Class. The elegant cream and bronze cabin was accented with the significant ghaf tree motif Each 195 inch seat was designed to provide maximum comfort and supported with six way adjustable headrests and a generous recline.
Each seat has a wide screen, in addition to in seat charging points and a wood finished side cocktail table One of the hostesses gave the media an insight into the premium class dining experience. She said “There is a welcome drink served in fine glassware and a selection of meals made with seasonal ingredients served on Royal Doultan Cliver tableware with stainless cutlery. Premium economy customers are also offered an extended list of beverages she added. She highlighted its advanced features ,including mood lighting,noise reduction technology and the airlines award winning inflight entertainment system
The Emirates A350 aircraft offers three cabin classes with 32 next generation business class seats, 21 premium economy and 259 economy class seats.
This airline also showcased the latest in cabin innovation and all in all what we saw was maximum customer comfort. The other notable features included a newly designed more comfortable economy class ,upgraded business class and premium economy cabins with ultra responsive touchscreen, extra high quality high ceilings with wider aisles in all classes and faster wi-fi with uninterrupted across all A350 destinations all designed to make every journey a blend of style, comfort and sophiticated elegance. We were infomed that Emirates has 65 A350s joining its fleet in the years to come.
Emirates began operation in Sri Lanka in April 1986 and they have always supported the country’s tourism and expat industries with passenger and cargo services.
By Zanita Careem
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- The cabin crew
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- Second from left Deputy Airport Services Manager, Ornella Fernando,Management trainee Sharifa Almemari, Emirates senior VIP Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean Esa Sulaiman A hmed, Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Rashid Al Ardha and Airport Services Manager Saleem Al Mansoori
Nabeela Yaseen, founder of Stoned Jewellery shares her creative journeyfrom design inspiration to building a popular brand of her own Her exotic pieces of jewellery on display reflected her artistry and passion that defines her brand.
Nabeela Yaseen
Recently she had an exclusive Mother’s Day celebration with a display of her Stoned Jewellery collection at The Design Collective situated at Kirillapone . On display, were jewellery zones of beautifully crafted intricate jewellery with memory making experiences The atmosphere and ambience that was created that evening were of beauty, gratitude and sparkle.
The concept of Stoned Jewellery was established in 2019 by Nabeela Yaseen. The celebrations for Mothers Day at the Design Collective was titled “Get Mum Stoned” this dazzling soiree brought together great moments, a sense of camaraderie and of course a gemstone gift for every mum.
In true stoned style, the celebration that evening reflected individuality of each mother’s love to every daughteror son From customised keepsakes to heartfelt notes from their children, every gift was more than just a stone, but had a emotional story woven into it. There was also personalised jewellery zones where each mum received a gem stone with a momento in addition to memory making booths that turned emotions into tangible keepsakes,
We believe jewellery is more than an adornment, its connection, identity and magic have a powerful emotional appeal said Nabeela. This mothers’s day event event is our way of honouring the love of every mum said the founder. Stoned jewellery as told by Nabeela is a brand uprooted in emotion, individuality and conscious craftsmanship. Our designs are inspired by stones and stories . Our timeless pieces speak not just shine.
She stressed that the mission of the brand is to make every woman feel great in her own skin.
(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Nations Trust WNPS monthly lecture
Time is Running Out: Saving Sri Lanka’s vanishing wild from elephants to wildcats, from vanishing forests to fading oceans, and the silent extinction of endemics — Sri Lanka’s natural heritage is on the brink, and time is running out to save it lead by Prof. Sevvandi Jayakody, Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage, Prof Sampath Seneviratne and Jehan CanagaRetna,
Joined by project field researchers Gihani Hettiarachchi, Pavithra Attanayake, Thilina M. Kumarasiri and Upuli Madarasinghe 6 pm, Thursday, 22 May 2025, Jasmine Hall, BMICH
The WNPS calls on conservationists and changemakers to join a bold conversation about the future of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.
Time is Running Out: Saving Sri Lanka’s Vanishing Wild
. This lecture will spotlight four critical, high-stakes conservation battles unfolding right now: the escalating Human-Elephant Conflict, the silent vanishing of Sri Lanka’s majestic wildcats, the urgent need for ecosystem restoration on land and sea, and the race against extinction for the country’s unique endemic species.
But this is no dry recital of facts. This will be a thought-provoking, no-holds-barred session that challenges, inspires, and empowers every participant. You’ll hear about real-world solutions driven by science, fieldwork, and community action — and most importantly, how you can be part of the fight.
This is not a lecture for the sidelines. It’s a rallying cry. Because when it comes to conservation in Sri Lanka, inaction is extinction.
The time to get involved, to act, to protect, and to restore, is now. Because for our wildlife, our forests, our oceans, and our children’s future — time really is running out.
Prof. Sevvandi Jayakody Chair of Sri Lanka’s National Mangrove Expert Committee and Marine Conservation Lead at WNPS, Sevvandi is a driving force behind blue carbon and mangrove restoration initiatives.
Prof. Enoka Kudavidanage
A respected conservation biologist and Co-Chair of the WNPS Wild Cats Subcommittee, she brings deep expertise in Sri Lanka’s ecosystem dynamics.
Prof. Sampath Seneviratne
Attached to the University of Colombo. He also is a research scientist, a forester, a conservationist, and a public communicator. He loves birding, tracking wildlife & planting.
Jehan CanagaRetna Immediate Past President of WNPS, Jehan is a seasoned conservation advocate. A passionate voice for human-elephant coexistence, Jehan chairs the WNPS HEC Subcommittee.
With sharing of insights from the field work on key conservation initiatives Gihani Hettiarachchi Project Coordinator researching human-wildlife coexistence, Gihani leads leopard conservation efforts with a people-focused approach through WNPS–LOLC.
Pavithra Attanayake Senior Executive at WNPS PLANT
, Pavi drives science-based, community-led ecosystem restoration and education with over eight years’ experience.
Thilina M. Kumarasiri Biologist and MPhil researcher,
Thilina leads mangrove restoration work, championing blue carbon ecosystem conservation in Sri Lanka.
Upuli Madarasinghe Field officer at the HEC Centre,
Upuli bridges communities and conservation, pioneering grassroots solutions to human-elephant conflict.
This lecture will be held on 22nd May g-et inspired by science, stories from the field, and real-world solutions. Be part of the change — before time runs out
The lecture is supported by Nations Trust Bank and is open to both members and non members, Entrance Free
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