Entertainment

Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2007

The winner takes it all:

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

Subashini Wickremaratne - winner of the office wear segment.

Dulakshi Jayasekera - Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 and winner of the evening wear and saree wear segments.

Wyomi Ranasinghe - Observer Popular Fashion Designer and 1st runner up.

Winning a competition is commendable and winning double titles is even more creditable as it was for Dulakshi Jayasekera at the grand finale, a glamorous night, the height of awesome new talent at the Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 contest presented by Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne at the BMICH on November 3.

"I was breathless when I won the 'big' title. It was a wonderful experience because it was the first time I participated in such an event. I didn't even have the time to find a model to model my outfits so I decided to model my own outfits although I didn't have any experience in modeling.

The professional models helped me to get into the stride and it made the task easier to give my measurements for stitching. The stitching was done by two of my aunts and cousins and the beautiful satin dress which won the 'Evening Wear' title was done by my grandmother. I was really confident that I would win the evening wear segment.

" This was incredible, to take up the challenge as fashion designer cum model, on the ramp along side professional models for just one night, a night which was going to make a difference in the lives of all twelve finalists who had come thus far.

"It was overwhelming to have won two titles, 'The Evening Wear' title as well as "The Observer Designer of the Year' title. For Dulakshi the past two months has been so hectic as she in the process of doing her final projects for the completion of the Diploma in Fashion Designing which she is presently following at LIFT.

She intends working for a year thereafter and then doing a degree in fashion designing. To Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne she is very thankful for having given her the opportunity to participate in this event and a big 'Thank you' to her parents , the Udumalagala family, teachers at LIFT, Ramzi Rahaman and friends, especially Varuni Daluwatte who gave her their fullest support to achieve success at this event.

Buddhika Samarakoon - winner of the casual wear segment, receiving her award from Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratna.

Amarsha de Silva - 2nd runner up, receiving her award from Rasanga Harrischandra,Director Legal, Adminstration and Welfare ANCL.

Twinkle Goonatilleke - 11 years, a Special Merit Award Winner, receiving her award from Rohan Sirisena Manager Ceylinco Internet Services Ltd.

A software engineer by profession at IFS, Wyomi Ranasinghe was also a winner of dual titles, the first runner up of the contest and the 'Most Popular Contestant' based on a voting system.

The girl with the beautiful smile, Wyomi said she didn't really expect to win as it was contrary to her field.' It was my raw talent that I presented, I have not studied fashion designing but I tremendous support from my friends an collegues at office. I too was very enthusiastic about the contest.

I didn't have high hopes of coming this far but I gave it my best. I didn't expect to get so many votes either but I think my friends have gone all out and sent in many votes.

Although I was interested in fashion designing and wanted to go for a part time course for some time I did not find anything worthwhile with flexible hours'.

Wyomi's designs were done by Hiroma, a person who really understands her designs and is really easy to work with.' When you use fabric you have to know the behaviour of the fabric. She guided me on this aspect,' Wyomi Ranasinghe said contentedly.

Second runner up Amarsha de Silva of MAS Holdings, a designer who stepped into the industry a few months back said ' this contest gave me the opportunity to prove my self. I didn't expect to win.

I applied to see where I stand. I had not applied before.' A lot of people supported me and I like to thank Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne for providing the opportunity and platform for young talent to display their creativity and all those who supported me; Silueta Management, my collegues and most of all my parents.

This was a stepping stone to my career. If there was more support and sponsorships for this contest it would have been better.' Amarsha having been influenced by her grandfather, a renowned artist who used to do oil paintings, she too took to painting and this helped too, she said.

Buddhika Samarakoon, winner of 'Casual Wear,' an Advanced Level student who is awaiting results said she was elated having won a place at the contest. She had been good at designing since she was a child and had been given the last entry coupon by her mother's friend.

She had waited up late night, drawn her designs and gone the following morning to Ramzi's Salon and handed it over. 'I had enrolled for a Diploma in Fashion Designer for the January intake and I thank my mother especially for all her support which made this a reality.

I also wish to thank Ayresha, my model also gave me a lot of support and aunty Padmini who gave me the coupon and Chula for giving me the exposure to present my creations without whose support I couldn't have succeeded.

The winner of the Office Wear segment, Subashini Wickremaratne, a merchandiser at a Buying Office said ' seeing garments and fabric all the time I was influenced to do fashion designing. It was the first time I participated in a fashion show and it was a good experience.

Two of my aunts stitched the garments. I was expecting to win the Casual wear and I'm happy but I was expecting two titles. However, I was disappointed with the choice of the panel of judges; those involved in the fashion industry and know about international trends would have been a more appropriate choice.

Also, having only ten minutes to dress a model was a bit of an ordeal,' she opinioned.

Last but not least, to eleven year old Twinkle Goonethileke, Year 7 student of Visaka Vidayala, the youngest contestant who was picked a finalist but was too young to vie for the title secured a Special Merit Award giving her three years time to vie for the title if interested.

' My mother inspired me to apply as I was so good at art although I had never gone for art classes. I am happy that my talent was recognized . I have been drawing since the age of six and shall take part in the contest again some time later.

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