With more than 30 years of design experience, the name Yolanda Aluwihara has always been synonymous with fashions in Sri Lanka. An icon in the batik industry, she has taken the Sri Lankan batik designs to the world by showcasing her designs on the runway on international platforms like Germany, Italy, Australia, Switzerland among others. Her main aim is to make batiks internationally recognised.

by Zanita Careem

How did you start a career on batik fashion?

Fashion has always been an important part of who I am. As I was good in art and designing I followed a course in Batik and a diploma in scientific dress making. I thereafter started doing it as a hobby.

You are known not only locally but internationally too, what is the secret behind it?

I never dreamt that my label will be a household name in Sri Lanka and in many other parts of the world. It was not an easy journey. Hard work, strong passion and team work brought the Yoland brand to the top of the competitive world in fashion. When I am with my team, it is extremely inspirational as we complement each other and create amazing designs.

What’s your favorite part of the design process?

As I have travelled to many countries with my products and worked with renowned international designers I had the opportunity to learn many techniques. We used to exchange ideas and knowledge. This helped me to incorporate different techniques. The result then is amazing. The feeling of your creation coming to life is inexplicable.

If you were to relate your personality with a specific batik technique or pattern, what would it be?

The technique that best describes my personality is the incorporation of our local tradition of batik making together with a twist which creates my signature look. The Yoland brand name is synonymous with femininity and elegance. It is a perfect harmony of traditional and innovative ideas from the west.

Where do you see batik fashions in the long run.

I am extremely delighted that finally we have a Minister who has been assigned the task of promoting and helping our industry. So I see a very bright future for our artisans. In the near future, Sri Lanka will be well known for batiks and other traditional crafts like in Indonesia.

Last but not least what’s next for Yoland collection?

In the future I would like to bring together my iconic art form with 21st century sensibility. Therefore, I intend making my silhouettes and designs on par with new innovative ideas.

Year, awards and achievements?

Awards and Certificates

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS & CERTIFICATES

1984 – Marble & Bronze Trophy for Export Performance – Barcelona Spain. 1987- American Gold Star for quality – (BID Award) (Business Initiative Directions), 1988 – Diploma Fira de Barcelona Fib ‘88- (Spain), 1988 – Certificate of participation – awarded by The Australian Department, for the Sri Lanka Trade Display at the international Trade Development Centre, Sydney, Australia. 2010 – IIFA –Only person in the apparel industry to represent Sri Lanka. 2011 – Asian Awards, China – Asian Top Fashionable Selling Brand of the Year.

NATIONAL AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES

1993 – Sri Lanka Apparel -best stall display certificate, 1995 – Sri Lanka Apparel Institute certificate of participation, 1997 – Sri Lanka EXPO – certificate of participation, 2000 – Silver Award – The Women’s Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, 2001 – SAARC Women’s Exhibition & Trade Fair – Award for best stall display, 2002 – Represented Sri Lanka at “COLOURS OF LANKA” Fashion show in Tokyo, Japan in view of 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan & Sri Lanka. 2005 – Pantene Miss Sri Lanka World – Second place awarded for the design & creation of National Costume for Pantene Miss Sri Lanka World 2005 Pageant. 2006 – Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry in recognition of Yolanda’s achievements in the Apparel Industry, 2007 – Hair & Beauty fair – certificate for the fashion extravaganza. 2007 – Woman Entrepreneur of the year – Silver Award -2007 Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, 2007 – Industrial Excellence Award- 2007-Bronze Award by Sri Lanka Chamber of Small & Medium Industry for bringing credit to the nation. 2008 – Industrial Excellence Award – 2008- Awarded by Sri Lanka Chamber of Small & Medium Industry for bringing credit to the nation. 2009 – Industrial Excellence Award — Bronze Award- by Sri Lanka Chamber of Small & Medium Industry for bringing credit to the Nation. 2009 – Certificate of participation presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksha & members of the Seva Vanitha Army Committee. 2010 – In Vogue Style Award 2010, 2010 – HSBC Colombo Fashion Week “Life Time Achievement Award”, 2013 – Gold Award (Large Business Category) Woman Entrepreneur of the Year-2013. Awarded by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), 2013 – Gold Award “Winner” Women Entrepreneur of the Year-2013 (Large category) Awarded by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), 2014 – 2015-Gold Category Woman Super Achiever – Awarded by Women for Governance professional and Career Women Awards – 201412015.