Sunday Observer Fashion Designer Contest:

An outlet to showcase talents

by Thulasi MUTTULINGAM

Got a passion for fashion? Need an outlet to showcase your talents? Take heart - it's nearing that time of the year again, when the Sunday Observer runs its Fashion Designer of the Year contest.

This is the seventh year of the contest and the founder of the show, fashion designer, Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne expects the winner of this show to be especially lucky as it is for the 'lucky seventh' time.

"We get a lot of exceptionally talented people every year, who get the exposure and publicity they need, thanks to this contest. Several of them have gone on to make a name for themselves in the fashion industry; I am sure we'll get some very talented people this time too," says Chula.

Chula herself is a well known fashion designer in Sri Lanka, who has had a varied and multi-faceted career as a model, actress, costume designer for movies and now fashion designer/consultant.

"Every year, the standard of the designers who apply keeps going up.

If the current batch of girls who apply are up to the mark, I hope to train some of them as designer - models.

I was one myself and there is a demand for such talent in this field."

She goes on to add that sex and age is no barrier. Any one of any age can apply.

"Sometimes some older people might feel that it is too late for them to compete.

We believe in no such thing. Anyone who has talent and believes in themselves can apply."

Last year's winner was Gihan Ediriweera, a single father of two.

The contest will have four categories: Sports wear, office wear, evening wear and saris.

"You can't really go all out on your creative potential on the office and evening wear so I hope we get something like that from the saris and sports wear" says Chula.

"It's not a must but we also hope to promote Sri Lankan designs, traditions and handlooms with this contest."

Chula herself will be designing a segment, sponsored by Salusala to promote their materials.

The official sponsor of the show is Singer Sri Lanka.

Entry coupons will appear in the Sunday Observer from June 20. If you think you have what it takes, just fill in the coupon and attach a few of your designs and send it in to Sunday Observer Fashion Designer of the Year 2010, Sunday Observer, Lake House, Colombo.

The semi finals of the contest will be in August while the grand finale will be held on September 11.