'Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win'

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

'The real secret to success is enthusiasm and I was so enthusiastic about this whole contest,' says Shehan Indika Fernando of Ratmalana, the first runner up and winner of the casual wear segment. For young Shehan this journey of a thousand miles began with one step when he decided to send in his entry coupon in for the contest on the last day, for he felt that 'you may be disappointed if you fail but you would be doomed if you don't try.' And so he did.

'Action is the foundational key to all success after all and it was for Shehan from the word 'go,' but great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. His perseverance and faith in the Lord who guided him and gave him this wonderful talent and the strength to overcome all obstacles during this contest was his guiding hand; praiseworthy is he, Shehan says.

Talking of the casual wear award, Shehan said he too was a first year student of Selak School of Design (Pvt) Ltd., Boralesgamuwa. As they were taught to always work on a theme which conveys a message to the viewer, Shehan selected something that really inspired him, 'a tea estate.' Using Handloom he intricately designed a three-quarter leaf green pants which symbolized the tea estate with a fitted beige top which signified the tea basket. The blouse had tea leaves with starched fabric around the nape of the neck. The leaf green pants was designed to depict what you usually see in a tea estate, the road and the greenery while his model Aruni Rajapakse teemed it up by carrying a long stick portraying the estate superintendent figure. This outfit was highly commendable and unique.

'Shehan was blessed with luck right from the inception of this contest, for at the semi finals he was placed sixteenth. Since one of the finalists step down not being able to participate due to financial constraints. Being next in line Shehan was given the opportunity to vie for the award. 'Overwhelmed, he went ahead preparing for the contest saying to himself that 'the key to happiness is having dreams and the key to success is making them come true.'

Then came the second obstacle was when Muthu, the model he had selected informed him that she had been hospitalized a day prior to the finals. He had only a day to find another model and do the adjustments. It was then that Shehan called Aruni and she promptly obliged at very short notice.

Shehan thanks Aruni for her fullest support she rendered at the contest to make it a success by helping him win the casual wear award. To his parents, sister and brother-in law who gave him moral support to work through the practical difficulties, Shehan says a very big 'Thank you.'

'The contest was of a high standard and I wish to thank Chula Nanayakkara Ariyartne for having organized such an event giving up and coming designers an opportunity and a platform to showcase their talent. It was a very fair contest. The designs of all fifteen finalists were good and most of all I was really happy because five of the finalist were students of Selak School of Design (Pvt) Ltd. This credit should go to the chairman of the school and the management and the Principal Mrs Damayanthi Wedage; for their expertise helped make our dreams come true.

Proud of his alma mater, St. Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia Shehan said after completing the Advanced Level he followed a merchandising course at Brandix College, Ratmalana and had his implant training at Ceylon Mid Trends, Maharagama.

Thereafter, he worked at a buying Office in order to gain experience and is presenting following a Diploma in Fashion Designing at Selak. 'The highest record for one's toil is not what one gets for it but what ones becomes of it,' Shehan plans to go overseas next year to enhance his talent in fashion designing. 'My passion is to become an internationally recognised fashion designer.

I intend starting my own Fashion Designing factory under my own label too. My dream is also to start a Fashion College in Sri Lanka and ensure that it is the best Fashion College in Asia.' 'As the key to happiness is having dreams; the key to success is making them come true,' we wish you Good Luck in your future endeavours, Shehan.