Entertainment

Vote for Most Popular Fashion Designer:

Two weeks more!

Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 presented by Chula Nanayakkara:

Glamour and glitter will be the theme at the Observer Fashion Designer of the Year Contest, which will unfold on November 3 at the BMICH.

The exciting show presentation is being kept under wraps and in a sneak insight we understand that Kanthi Ranchigoda's pupils will be featured in dance sequences. In the midst of a happy mix of pins, needles and scissors the Sunday Observer was able to gather more into on the finalists...

Danushka Prasad Ramanayake - is happy he came back from Singapore at this time of the year to take part in this Fashion Designer of the Year contest. "I selected fashion designing in 2003 soon after I left Ananda College, followed a formal course at LIFT and then went over to Singapore to gain a diploma in this field.

So the timing is good as I need the exposure. I'm hoping to introduce a new technique in saree style.

It deals more with the fabric, so too my ideas for evening wear. For office wear I favour the executive style of skirt and coat, and I use designs that are abstract. Most of my outfits are black and the other colours I like are maroon, purple and yellow. I hope to start my own business and I'm still looking for a model."

Wyomi Ranasinghe - has had no formal training in designing. Quite naturally since she is a Soft Ware Engineer and has a Special Degree in Computer Science from University.

An old girl of Visakha Vidyalaya she's been involved in Computer Science and finds competitions exciting. "I think this contest is marvellous. I'm interested because here is a big chance to come into the spotlight and I must say thank you to Chula and the Sunday Observer for giving this opportunity to us.

There is no other competition like this today. You ask me what segment I like? My preference is for casual wear. I think everyday wear has to be practical and comfortable.

I experiment with colours and my favourite is the peacock range. As for evening dress my thinking is that it should be a dress you can dance in with freedom to move about. Princess line styles are interesting. I won't be modelling my outfits, Piyumi Liniyagala will be my model."

Ashani Madola - Young and in her twenties Ashani thinks that the contest is a good thing for our country. She followed a course at LIFT and then went to Singapore to seek a diploma from Raffles Design Institute. "I came back for an internship at MAS and have one more year to acquire a degree for which I will be going back.

I enjoy designing with no limits, but I prefer casual wear - pants and tops. As for sarees my choice is chiffon and laces with embroidery, while in evening wear I go for knee length dresses with a mix of colours and textures. I have no special preference for colours. I must say thank you to my teachers and my parents for their guidance and my model will be Shamali Perera."

Aquarius - music ambassadors in Doha

Orion and Aquarius may have their subtle lines of demarcation, but put them together and what results is unbelievable success.

That’s what Aquarius the band led by bassist Benjy Ranabahu enjoyed when they took up the challenge of playing at the night club Orion at the Ramada Plaza, Doha.

Benjy proudly claims that they are the only Sri Lankan band playing in Doha and the corporate audience that turn up is tremendous. In Doha, Saturdays is an off day, the weekend is Thursday and Friday and then from Monday to Wednesday the band is on stage to entertain music lovers, with their special Aquarius sound.

“Dalreen was a big attraction and its unbelievable the fans she has collected over the past few months. We go back after this short holiday on October 10 and I hope Dalreen will come along as well.

We play four sets from 8.00 p.m. to 12.30 p.m. and on weekends we go on till 1.30 a.m. Our repertoire has to be hits from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. We throw in rock of Deep Purple, Grand Funk Railroad or say Pink Floyd or Queen and even nuggets of folk rock.

It’s great and I’m happy with my band,” enthuses Benjy. Aquarius comprises Benjy on bass, Shiran Munasinghe on drums/vocals, Gavin Senn - sax/vocals, Danushka - guitar/vocals, Raafi Buksh - keyboards. You’ll meet them again when 2008 hits the straight track.

MP

Derrick J returns

Come What May - the song carries a theme of destiny and to singer Derrick J when he was in Sri Lanka, it triggered off a series of concerts performances and made him a household name in his motherland. It took him to Australia when he migrated in 1973 with the determination to make a career of music over there.

And succeed he did in his own special way. Derrick J returned to his motherland twice over to share his success with his fans in Sri Lanka, resulting in larger fan base. Now Derrick J will be back for a concert performance this month with two well-known Australian female recording artistes Debbie Wilson and Kellie Smythe.

He will be backed by Misty and the show will feature Sri Lankan guest singers. The concert is a fund raiser staged by St. Joseph’s College Colombo in collaboration with DK Promotions.

“Much of my successful career was made possible, thanks to the opportunities my motherland Sri Lanka gave me. I felt that this was one way I could show my gratitude towards my Sri Lankan fans and the people who supported me during the initial stages of my career” comments Derrick J when asked about his return.

His show will be a well balanced one with songs of Tom Jones, Michael Buble, Elvis Presley and Platters. The female singers who will be coming from Australia will be singing songs by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Etta James, Olivia Newton John to name a few.

MP

IAB Hair Fair today

by Deepal Warnakulasuriya

Annual hair, beauty and fashion show of the International Academy of Beauticians; “Hair Flair” will be held today, at the Galle Face Hotel from 6.30 p.m.

International Academy of Beauticians (IAB) which was established with the purpose of delivering training programs in the field of hair and beauty therapy makes this event an opportunity for its students to display their talents.

IAB studies Directress Deepika Gunasekera said that the event is not only a show of hair and beauty designs collection but also a competition among the students who are to enter the World of Hair and Beauty Therapy with ingenuity and skills.

According to her ‘Hair Flair’ show will celebrate upcoming talents of young hair dressers and young fashion designers of the country. “Young diploma holders will highlight the co-dependant relationship between hair, beauty and attire”, she added.

IAB course Directress Hasini H. Gunasekera told the media that their mission is to instill conceptual thinking into the minds of students, supporting them with necessary technical knowledge to enable them to be skilful and creative stylists in the fields.

Fashion music will be provided by internationally known young artist DJ Scorpio blending fashion and music to create complete experience of a fashion release. In addition to the hair and make up designs by IAB, choreographed and dress designs by Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology will also be displayed.