Sunday Observer fashion designer contest:

Here's your chance

by Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

Ashok Duminda	Chula Nannayakara Ariyaratne

Momentum is building up again for the much awaited Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2010. If you think you have what it takes, fill in the coupon and send it in with samples of your sketches - you just might end up as the next Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the year, with the opportunity of a firm to hold in this tenuous industry.

Behind the scenes, the show's founder / organiser Chula Nannayakkara Ariyaratne is bustling about in her cheerful and abstracted way, trying to make everything fall into place neatly and magnificently to make the show a memorable one.

Chula is one of the older generation of fashion designers in this country; she became a 'fashion designer' at a time when the term was hardly known in Sri Lanka.

"I came from a very strict family. I got my break as a model cum fashion designer when Sita Parakrama, a friend of the family's persuaded my father to let me model for her "Ceylon Woman Fashion Show", says Chula.

She had apparently wanted to be a lawyer but Sita Parakrama had spotted her talent early on and convinced her to go into fashion design, a rerouting that she does not regret as she has found fulfilment in it and earned much recognition and awards for it along the way.

Now she carries on the work of her mentor in organising a similar fashion show and giving exposure to aspiring young fashion designers out there who would otherwise not get a chance.

Her vision and what she wanted to achieve is perhaps best exemplified by the show's 2008 winner, 33 year old Ashok Duminda.

He was a small time gents' tailor in Boralesgamuwa until he entered for the Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the year. However, he had always had big dreams. He waited patiently for them to come to fruition while he toiled, cutting, sewing and ironing day and night.

Apparently he had wanted to enter the show from the time he'd heard of it two years previously but had not had the time. Over the years, he managed to earn enough as well as to acquire enough custom to get an assistant. At about the same time, the Selak School of Design opened up in Boralesgamuwa and with an assistant now available, Ashok became one of the first to enrol for the course. He attended the full time course in the daytime and worked in his tailoring outfit in the nights.

"I had wanted to move into ladies fashion for quite some time. That is why I had named my business 'Fashion Tailors'" he explained.

The shop has since been upgraded and is now called 'Ashok High Fashion' and does cater to ladies as well. It was only after winning the Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year, that he was able to achieve his dream, a fact for which he is profoundly grateful. He once again thanked the Chairman of Lake House and Chula Nannayakara Ariyaratne for the opportunity extended to let aspiring and talented people like him have their dream come true.

The humble and shy tailor from Boralesgamuwa created history on the show by winning five of its six awards, a never before or since achieved feat.

In addition to being the best designer, he was also judged the most popular designer and carried away the awards for three of the four categories: Evening wear, office wear and saris.

Ashok wishes the show, its organisers and the next lot of aspiring participants all the best.

The official sponsors for the show are Singer Sri Lanka. The office wear category will be sponsored by Ranjan Dedigama of Gems and Jewels (pvt) Ltd, Maharagama.