Entertainment

Vote for Most Popular Fashion Designer:

Tickets snapped up fast

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

Tickets are being snapped up fast for the Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 Contest and Show presented by leading fashion designer Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne, sponsored by Sunday Observer and Daily News. Be a part of the grand experience which showcases the fabulous talent of the finalists who are making their dramatic entry into the fashion world. Those of you who wish to book your tickets on line are requested to get in touch with Custom Care Line 2591401. More insight views from the finalists.

Subashini Wickremaratne - still in her early 20's and now a Merchandiser at NEXT - Buying office, she followed a full time course on Management and Technology in the garment trade at GIMI (Garment Industry Management Institute) where designing was also done.

"I am grateful to Chula Nanayakkara for giving new comers this opportunity. Now that I'm a finalist which I thought I would never be I'm looking forward to the experience. I think that contests of this nature should be held every year so that more new comers could find business since fashions have come to stay.

What is more there's a possibility of even applying for scholarships abroad", says Subashini. Where the segments are concerned Subashini prefers the casual wear section which features skirts and tops.

As for sarees she has an eye for elaborate embroidery and bead and sequins on the saree. Her favourite colours are red, yellow, turquoise, blue and green.

Nuwan Perera - The other male in a contingent of female designers, Nuwan followed a Textile & Fashion Designer degree at the University of Moratuwa and is happy that this competition for the first time gives him the opportunity to showcase his artistic talents.

"At present I'm working in a private company dealing in textile accessories and I'm enjoying the excitement of getting my exhibits ready.

Of the four segments we have to design, my preference is for casual wear with the accent on the fabric, and in saree wear I favour embroidery and fabric painting. For people like us, to come into the limelight I'm glad this competition was started. My outfits will be modelled by Shadnam."

Dulakshi Jayasekera - I'm quite excited about this competition, because it is a good opportunity to display my talents in a professional contest like this, and I'm looking forward to November 3," says Dulakshi who is in her early twenties and has followed a diploma course in Fashion Designing at LIFT.

Ever since her childhood she has been designing sketches and receiving applaudits from her family members, relatives, friends and is thankful for their constant support.

"For my outfits, I have used sequins, beads and thateen. The saree and evening gown are embroidered, while for the casual wear I have combined new trends with thateen. In office wear I think pin tucks brings out an elegance to the outfit. Yes I'm modelling my own outfits."

Amarsha de Silva - "This is a competition that's good for us young people, who are starting a career. It is a good boost for us," says Amarsha who is working as a designer at MAS.

She is still following a course at LIFT and is hoping to gain a degree professionally. "Actually in evening wear I favour dresses because in my opinion it brings out glamour and adds elegance to the wearer.

The segments are interesting to work on. In casual wear its dresses again for me because its relaxed, comfortable and gives the wearer a lot of confidence. Where the saree is concerned I concentrate on embroidery on the pleats and pallau. Rochelle will be modelling my outfits and gosh I never thought I would be selected!"

Buddhika Samarakoon - "I'm glad we got this opportunity to participate in a competition like this because we in Sri Lanka are blessed with a lot of creativity and ideas. We can show the world how creative we are.

I'm sure I've inherited my talents from my parents who are artistes in drama and broadcasting," says a friendly Buddhika. Quite naturally since she is the daughter of the drama director R. R. Samarakoon and Ramya a radio and TV personality.

Of the segments, her preference is for sarees and worked ones at that. In casual wear she favours short skirts with blouses below the hips and made out of voile. She is adamant about silks - "its not suitable for our climate," she says.

For evening wear Buddhika goes in for long dresses mixed with lace while for office wear its knee length outfits in black and white which helps to add to the personality of the person. Her outfits will be modelled by Ayesha Sandamali.

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Tickets available at:

Lake House - Maradana
Ceylinco Internet Services - R. A. de Mel Mawatha,
Bambalapitiya.
Golden Key - Nawala Road,
Nugegoda.
Sponge - Pastry Shop,
Kollupitiya.

Electronic Music Concert

For the first time in Sri Lanka the electronic jamband Lychee Lassi will perform their concert at the Barefoot Auditorium on Friday November 9 at 7.00 p.m. presented by the Goethe Institut.

The band started their career in 1998 when they began playing on the Berlin underground circuit. The group Beat Halberschmidt - bass, Dirk Berger - guitar, DJ Illvibe and Ray Knauf - drums, will be performing in Sri Lanka and have been together since their inception.

It is not that quite easy to describe their sound which is unique. Their music they say is derived from hip hop, funk, jazz and they are a band without a front person, which allows room for each distinct member to shine.

Of particular interest and contribution is DJ Illvibe who they say treats his decks just like an instrument, like his counterparts do with theirs. The result is an invention of amazing sounds, constantly surprising and surpassing each musical twist with skill and ease.

Lychee Lassi are a popular sight in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom playing at clubs, open air gigs, nerdy digital arts festivals and at crusty neo hippie raves. So make sure of this electronic experience you've never had before.

M.P.

Local culture in new proportions

by Mahes Perera

Today, there's going to be an unusual evening of entertainment at the Hilton Colombo, when contemporary bright lights Iraj, Shihan Mihiranga and the popular band C & C will be on stage to entertain audiences with their fusion of traditional and modern music which has become the rage at present.

Besides these famous artistes the spotlight also falls on the Elephant Foot Drummers of Hikkaduwa and modern cultural dance shows.

All this is part of Hilton's 21 year celebrations which is a celebration of Sri Lankan culture around the much loved local delicacy "Kottu". A record will be created when 2100 Kg Kottu will be turned out by Executive Chef Rohan and his team of 40 chefs, for the audience to enjoy.

The evenings entertainment is from 5.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. and will only cost you a gate fee of Rs. 150/= per person. All monies collected will be donated to the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind.

Speaking to Iraj, who was busy in the studio involved in laying down tracks for an album, he revealed that his presentation of songs today will be in the theme of fusion and in all probability he will sing tracks from his second album Aloke which turned out to be successful, what with twelve songs becoming No 1 hits.

"I'm happy with my career so far and I handle everything like the melody, music arrangements and lyrics of the songs. My productions are all recorded at Ranga's Hit Factory Studio and in another three years I hope to release another CD" says Iraj in a happy conversational mood.

When asked about his live programme on Derana Iraj commented that it was a fun programme and he enjoyed chatting with and introducing up and coming groups to the viewers. So make a date with Iraj, Shihan Mihiranga and C & C today and help towards making easier the life of those in the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind.

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