Striding out their talents for style

By Dilshan Boange

Colours and contours unfolded in a glitzy and glamorous culmination of showcasing talent for fashion and design creation recently at the Galadari Hotel as the University of Moratuwa's final year students of the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology brought out their best to be showcased at their Graduation Fashion show.

Today as Sri Lanka is now reaching towards newer horizons to showcase Sri Lankan talent to meet the demands of international industries in respect of both materials and skills this even of the University of Moratuwa's Department of Textile and Clothing Technology can be thought of as a pitch for creative connectivity and recognition of young Sri Lankan designers who will form the streams of fashion creators of the next generation.

Our human capital that can be of much value to the international fashion industry in terms of 'creative investment' cannot be underestimated.

Yet it is not often that we see forums being created to showcase the wealth of creative talents Sri Lankans can offer international markets to create pathways for our younger generations to take our country's image to the world.

Commercial ventures

In this regard the course offered by the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology is an asset to the country and a pathway for young creative souls to reach their aspirations of entrepreneurship in the field of fashion and clothing, or harnessing their talents to serve commercial ventures of an international scale with leading clothing and fashion labels of the world.

The course was introduced to nurture the next generation of fashion designers from Sri Lanka and has close collaboration with the industry and the Government Departments. The Bachelor of Design Degree in Fashion Design and Product Development was introduced with a Consultancy provided by the London College of Fashion of the University of the Arts, London.

The course is now fully established and is one of the degree courses with a high demand in the University system of Sri Lanka. This course was established to satisfy a long-felt need in the Apparel Export industry.

Joint research

The Joint Apparel Associations Forum (JAAF) which is the apex organisation of the Apparel exporters has worked with the University and supported the course from its inception.

The initial funding to commence the course was provided by the Government of Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Industrial Development Commerce.

Textured Jersey Lanka plc which is the principal sponsor of the Graduation Show this year has now entered in to a more cohesive partnership with the University of Moratuwa, to support the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology.

The partnership will strengthen the link between the two institutions so that they would engage in mutually beneficial activities.

These include supporting the annual Graduation Fashion Show, placements of students and staff in the industry, engaging in joint research, designing fashion portfolios and many more.

The panel of Judges at the Graduation Show were eminent personalities in the fashion world and this year Suzie Katz of Brandix Lanka, Rebecca Ward of Quantum Clothing, Peter Katz, Freelance Designer and Priyantha Fernando, Technical Director, MAS Holdings were present.

The evening of splendour and innovation in fashion came to a close amidst rousing cheer to mark another successful graduation show by the University of Moratuwa's Department of Textile and Clothing Technology.

The staff and students as well as all who were present surely believe that a significant journey is underway for the visions of tomorrows clothing trends by Sri Lankan youth to gain the recognition and future encouragement that they richly deserve.