Dazzling patterns from bits and pieces

Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2009:

By Nilma DOLE

Ruwani Lokuge, Last year’s second runner-up

The highly anticipated dynamic fashion competition 'Young Fashion Designer of the Year' will come alive again for the 5th consecutive year.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer was Chula Nayanayakkara Ariyaratne, Sri Lanka's livewire fashion icon who has paved the way for designers to go international.

"The goal of having the 'Young Fashion Designer of the Year 2009' competition is to uplift the standard of creativity in Sri Lanka by giving talented designers from the rural areas a chance to prove their worth", said Chula.

Born and bred with a designer flair from the time she was young, Chula has it in her genes to create dazzling patterns from material. "Moreover, my aim is to enlighten young designers that using bits and pieces from unused garment material should be used to create other works of art which will be prevalent in my show", she said.

This year's categories of fashion will revolve around Office Attire, Sportswear, Evening Wear and the Sari segment. "We will display stylish but comfortable and proper attires for every segment so that it reflects our Sri Lankan culture with a little twist of boldness", said Chula.

An attractive feature of the event will be lovely dances choreographed by Chula herself. "We invite not only fashion designers to come on board with us but models to flaunt these worthwhile creations" said Chula.

Last year's second runner-up Ruwani Lokuge who has 7 years of fashion design experience said the 'Young Fashion Designer of the Year 2008' competition has given her a positive-thinking attitude to her creations.

"I understood many aspects pertaining to advertising and marketing my designs to make them futile for the garment buying garment. The exposure was great." Even though Ruwani did a basic course at the Clothing Industrial Training Institute, she was a fashion designer for renowned designer label Mondy for nearly 6 years."

I wanted to expand my knowledge in the fashion designing industry internationally so I studied for my Fashion Designing degree at the La Salle University in Singapore" said Ruwani. Further she highlighted, "I thank Chula for her positive thinking and giving me the drive to succeed with my designs". Here we display some of Ruwani's designs to show the talent this amazing designer possesses.