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Gihan Ediriweera is the Sunday Observer Fashion
Designer of the Year 2009:
Fitting example of modern Fashion Designer talent
by Nilma Dole
“I’m a person who has faced many
difficulties to reach the pinnacle of success” said Gihan Ediriweera who
as a single parent of twins overcame many obstacles to garner the
prestigious title awarded by the founder of the competition. Chula
Nanayakkara Ariyaratne.
“After the sudden death of my wife in 2006, I decided that it was no
use being remorseful and depressed with life but picking up the pieces
and moving on,” he said.
 His son and daughter were cheering for him in the audience and it was
this happiness that made him a star.
Having studied at the D.S. Senanayake College in Colombo, Gihan
underwent studies in Merchandising where he carved a niche for himself.
“I got a firm foundation by doing various Merchandising courses in
Textile Technology, Pattern Making at the Clothing Industry Training
Institute (CITI) and the Garment Industry Management Institute (GIMI)”
said Gihan who had a flair for fashion designing ever since he was
young.
“After training at Camridge Apparels as a Merchandiser, I got the
best exposure of the international garment sector by working at the
distinguished Federated Merchandising Group, part of Macy’s departmental
chain in U.S.A. for nearly 5 years before taking on a six year stint at
Liz Clairborne International,” he said.
After the loss of his beloved wife, Gihan then found the courage to
continue his passion for clothes by enrolling at the Lanka Institute of
Fashion Technology (LIFT) to do his Diploma in Fashion Design. “I
graduated with upper class honours and now I’m doing my Advanced Diploma
at LIFT,” said Gihan who worked tirelessly to make sure he had a solid
knowledge of fashion design cconcepts.
As for international exposure, Gihan even worked for a time in
Bangladesh with leading garment players to learn more about the tricks
of the trade.
Gihan even helped two of his colleagues at MAS Intimates to develop
their fashion designs to reach the finals of the competition. “I always
believe in three wonders of life which are a passion for doing what you
love, belief in yourself and self-empowerment,” advised Gihan who felt
that the Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2009 was more a
friendly fashion show for showcasing Sri Lankan talent than a
competition.
Taking full honours in the recently concluded Sunday Observer Fashion
Designer of the Year 2009 show, Gihan opted for the Mardi Gras look with
the colours of the rose flower with streaks of red and silver for the
competition.
“I went for the Rose concept because it had the ability to be
charming but elegant at the same time”, said Gihan about his designs for
the competition.
His stunning halter-top ‘osariya’ costume was a hit in the Sari
category. “I would like to say that in the brain of the designer, even
though I think the design looks good in a particular way, I appreciate
the comments made by the good models who we worked with.
“I would like to thank Piyumi for modelling my creations at the show
by not only looking beautiful in them but giving her comments about them
too” said Gihan with a smile.
“I would like to thank Chula for her support and guidance, Roshini
Liyanage and her staff at Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology and the
senior management at MAS Intimates including Dian Gomes for all their
help,” acknowledged Gihan. |
