|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 11 April 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Special wear for ordinary people By Farah Macan Markar Natural clothes in pastel colours with miniature pieces of gold embroidery will be displayed by Designer Sylvia Denais at her Fashion Show to be held on April 17th at the Finomenal Space Gallery at 8.00pm. A French-Norwegian Designer, Denais's outfits are natural clothes, naturally comfortable, natural in colour, feminine for the girls and rough for the guys.
In simple colours of cream and pastel, sparkled by additions of silky white ribbons, glittering embroidery and white lace, the 15-20 outfits are a mixture of casual and evening wear. Warm weather friendly skirts, pants, tops and dresses made out of "Cheeta Redi" with strands of thread trailing at its end for a natural look, the clothes are meant as special wear for ordinary people. Having been in Colombo for a month, Sylvia's had a busy time getting her work in order. Travelling by "Tuk Tuk" and then when her money's run out by bus, digging out various materials from the Nugegoda fabric shops, she has been stitching it all together in an old sewing machine rented by an "Aunty". Washing the materials before getting down to work in order to give it a crushed look, Denais says she was inspired by the climate. "From where I come from, Norway it is so cold and Sri Lanka is so hot. It made me want to do something different, to suit the warmth I felt here". Living in Norway, mainly Hamar, Denais has also lived for 3 years in Oslo and 7 years in France. Having had her education as a dress maker with two years schooling in Norway plus practice and another three months at Paris, 22 year old Sylvia has had 2 shows in her country as yet, with another on the way this May. In it she'll display some of the works she's done in Sri Lanka as well as other items she'll be working on. Says Sylvia "I don't have regular shows but do one when I feel like it".
Stitching straight from the ideas which come from her head without any sketches, Sylvia creates fashion as she sees it. "I don't care what's in fashion at present or what will be in fashion tomorrow. I do what I like and make my own fashion". Of Norway's designers Denais says they are few but coming up. "Designers in Norway are few and select. Fashion Shows are open only to specially invited guests and the clothes are displayed on professional models. My show in Sri Lanka will be on the other hand open to the public and the models are everyday people, like my friends and certain people I picked off from the street". With a "Mother" and a late "Grand Grand Mother" who were very much into work with the needle and thread, fashion designing running in the female line of the family, Sylvia first had her go in her mother's old sewing machine. Stitching in her free time, transforming yards of fabric into elegant creations of clothing, Sylvia describes what she does as "Magical". "It's like a little miracle. Creating something beautiful out of a piece of cloth". Being influenced by the people she sees in the streets, Denais says it is why she often opts for travelling in public transport. "Travel in the bus. It's such an interesting experience for you get to see so many different kinds of people and they get to see you". Other than people music also inspires Sylvia in her work. The most important aspect in the job according to the young designer is liking what you are doing. "In the end it is not what other people think of your creation. It is what you think. You should have a love for your job and put your soul into your work". Born on April 3rd 1982, Sylvia's ultimate dream is to do what she does and be able to earn a living out of it. "At the moment designing for me is a hobby which I do late at night. In the day I have a boring everyday job". Among the list of everyday jobs Denais has given a hand at is selling tickets for the theatre, working in an old people's home and working in a bridal shop. Among her other interests are music, travelling, theatre and art. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
