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| Sunday, 2 November 2003 |
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Introducing new designers A new crop of design talent emerged at the recent Catwalk Show 2003 and fashion awards of the Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (Pvt) Ltd., (LIFT). Starting this week the Sunday Observer Magazine features some of the young men and women who presented outstanding design collections at the show. LIFT was set up in 2000 under the Board of Investment (BOI), in collaboration with the University College Northampton, UK and has been registered under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka. by Neomi Kodikara The poruwa, a marriage aisle, a raised dais traditionally ornamented and decorated and white elegant, graceful swans. Both of them have something in common. They both symbolise prosperity, new beginning, fresh life and good will. Danushka Prasad Ramanayake, the winner of womens wear category at the Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology Fashion Awards 2003 has been inspired by the two swans, the magnificent piece of art on the poruwa to create his award winning piece of design, `Magical Swans' that resonates Sri Lankan identity. His bridal collections, with a touch of the ancient and the modern portray the tenuous connection between the symbols of swan and poruwa, traditional Sinhala concept of marriage and beginning of new life. His bridal gowns combine both the `sexy look' and `classic look'. He firmly believes that a new design should be a combination of fantasy and practicality. "Poruwa as a concept for dress designing is a novel idea," says Danushka getting ready to talk about fantasy fashions born in his mind.
He has used off-white pure silk and tissue fabrics to give out the flowing, feathery effect to the dress. The brides he dressed are not adorned with any piece of jewellery, not even a pair of earrings. They do not carry any accessory except for the fresh flowers for the headdress and bouquet. This he has done deliberately to enhance the effect of the genuine pearls, used to style the top part of the gown. The veil, made of tissue is again arranged to highlight the effect of the gown. His elegant bridal dresses seems complicated, ornate and fanciful yet they can be adopted for practical wear. Danushka is a fine example of indigenous, home grown talent in the field of design in Sri Lanka. An old boy of President's College and Ananda College, has just entered his twenties. This petite, shy guy with a ready smile had a penchant for art and designing from his childhood. This is his best first achievement in life so he's overjoyed. "I felt I could do it, designing was in me," says Danushka. "But it was LIFT that really helped me to identify my talents and polish them. It nurtures my creativity, innovation and originality. It's a second home to me." On successful completion of the specific courses students are entitled to participate in the fashion show, and this year there were 25 young designers. He recalls those three months of hard work, the days of stress, arduous working days, striving towards one ultimate goal. And he did it. "It was really tough," he says. It was not only creativity and work. So many other things, meeting deadlines, working with others, doing things and getting things done. Danushka says that it reflects reality of his future role as a designer. He believes that earning the top award will be a kickstart to meet the fresh challenges ahead. After completion of the course they can explore career opportunities in the industry, start their own design enterprises or continue further studies. He has already been offered work with a leading company in the garment sector. "I prefer to get working experience, but I will complete my higher studies while working," he says. Danushka is not satisfied with earning a name in the Sri Lankan fashion industry, "I want to place my country's name on the highest pedestal of the international fashion dais," he says with great determination. Why do men always excel in designing womens wear? "I pop the question that was bubbling in me for a long time. "We know how they should look, and don't forget men have better dress sense than women," he chuckles. Danushka feels it is foolish to imagine that the best comes with a hefty price tag, when it comes to fashion. "Sadly most women lack dress sense, they go for the most expensive ones, they do not count the most important factor of suitability to the occasion and wearability," he says, "some women do not imagine themselves in a particular dress, instead they try to become someone else. Dress shows one's personality," Danushka points out. "Sarees are not suitable for a modern woman," is his personal belief. In womens wear the preferred fabrics will be natural textiles that are best suited for the local market climatically and otherwise. The ever increasing demand for unique styles in the international fashion market is making most of the designers concentrate on ethnic identity. Danushka believes that identity is not in dresses but in designs. "That is why we need to blend our identity with modernity," he explains. "A big thank you should go to everyone who helped to make this event a success, my parents for giving me the freedom to identify my capabilities and decide my future career and all others who supported me." |
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