Sunday Observer Fashion Designer - 2010:

Yes! it's your chance now

By Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

The much awaited Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year semi finals is just three weeks away. Twenty more lucky contestants can get a leg up in the fashion industry by participating in the show, which was founded by fashion designer Chula Nannayakara Ariyaratne for just such a purpose.

Applications have been pouring in for over two months now but the desk is still open for entries. The Sunday Observer will carry the coupon till August 29. The semi finals are scheduled for August 31 at 9.00 am at the Sovereign Hotel, Rajagiriya. All those who applied should come in with portfolios of their sketches which will be reviewed by an eminent panel of judges.

Meanwhile, Chula is very happy with all the entries received thus far. "Every year the standard keeps going up and this year is no different. I have received some lovely sketches" she glows. Quite a few contestants from previous shows have gone on to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry.

'Age and sex are no bar in this competition' as Chula is fond of saying. Quite a few males have walked away as the Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year while extremely young contestants have made a name for themselves as well. One such is 18 year old Nishika Samaratunga who was just 13 when she participated in the contest and became the first runner up in 2005. She now has her own label, 'Nishi' and caters to clients both here and abroad, who approach her through her facebook page.

Chula remembers Nishika as a talented youngster who came rushing up with her entry at the last possible minute, a day before the semi finals. "I thought long and hard about entering the contest which is why it took till the last minute. I knew that most of the others would be older than I, professional fashion design students from institutes and I found that daunting" explains Nishika.

She was one of the few semi finalists chosen but continued to find it daunting. "I was the youngest. Almost all the others were in the age group of 19 and above and were professional students of fashion schools. I hadn't had their kind of experience or exposure.

So while this successful contestant moves on to the next phase of her life, she leaves hope behind for others that come behind her that age, experience or lack of formal training is no bar in this competition. All that matters is talent. The official sponsors for the show are Singer Sri Lanka while Ranjan Dedigama of Gems and Jewels (Pvt) Ltd, Maharagama is the sponsor for the office wear segment. Ramzi Rahaman is the official hairdresser / make up artist. Chula Nannayakara Ariyaratne can be contacted on 0776325118 or 2692153 for any clarifications.