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| Sunday, 25 January 2004 |
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The beauty of the "dazzling fan" by Farah Macan Markar
Having completed her year's diploma of fashion designing in LIFT (Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology) Buddhini's presentation in its year end fashion show "Sri Lankan Identity" was "Dazzling Fan", which is based on the "Sesatha". A fan whose colours are what she describes as "dazzling" the "Sesatha" is a ceremonial flag for royal or religious use, consisting of an embroidered cloth disc or talipot leaf decorated with mica with images of the sun and moon symbolising eternity and authority, with the lotus flower in its centre depicting purity. Originating from ancient Greece, the "Sesatha" was first brought to Asia by Alexander the Great, who ground it in places he conquered as a symbol of his authority. When the "Sesatha" made its way to India it came to have more of a religious symbol which was carried on to Sri Lanka, when it was first brought here by King Devanampiyathissa.
Choosing a clientele of cowboys to work on her designs, Buddhini has taken her colour scheme from the colours of the "Sesatha" which are red, yellow and white, together with black, the colour, which she feels, makes the man. "Black brings out a man's manliness and gives him stature and pride" she says. While red symbolises pride, yellow depicts knowledge and white shows purity. Adding her own touch Buddhini brings out the colours of yellow and white through gold and silver giving it grandeur and ceremony. As a result of her colour scheme the clothes are bright and shiny. Buddhini has made us of glitter as well on materials of rough satin, leather and suede.
Other than "Dazzling Fan" Buddhini has designed styles on topics such as "Rebels", "Antelope Hoof", "Monsters Inc" and "Crazy Hair Cut". Fashion she says has always got to be something trendy. "No one wants to wear what other people are wearing. Everyone wants to wear something different, something special and this is what we designers try to create". Having studied in Meuseus until her O's, Bhuddini went to Wycherly International School for her A's, in which she did commerce a subject she didn't like. Her father wanted her to be an accountant, but Buddhini wanted to find her own path. Seeing the newspaper ad on getting a diploma in fashion designing, she decided to try out the field. A field which not only she has come to love today but earned her father's support for it as well. "My father was not too happy about me learning fashion designing at first, but my mother told him to let me do what I wanted. After seeing me enjoying this field, he has become all supportive. He was the one who found my cowboy hats, running after people wearing interesting hats in the street and asking where they got them". Born on January 30th 1984 Buddhini enjoys listening to music, hanging out with her friends and having fun. She loves creating things with her hands and spends her spare time stitching Sinhale patchwork, which she learnt from her mother. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Nineteen year old Buddhini Perera is a designer who loves working with
colour. Bright reds, oranges and yellows are her favourites as well as
luminous blues, greens and purples. She works on modern cuts while
blending contemporary and ancient design.
Says Buddhini "I am inspired by the Sesatha for it is a marvellous
creation showing eternity, peace, prosperity, purity, pride and knowledge.
It is deep in meaning and has a set of bright fabulous colours which make
it simply eye catching".
Thus designing cowboy outfits inspired by the "Sesatha" she
has put in not only the colours of the "Sesatha" but its
intricate designs as well. An intermingling of the East and the West. Says
Buddhini "Men wear the same old thing over and over again. I wanted
to do something for the men which would be different and make a man stand
out. That is why the Sesatha and the Cowboy".
