HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) established the CFW Fashion Design Fund in 2014 to financially support the most impressive young designer who is a participant of the ‘BrightSpark’ Shows. Each year one up-and-coming designer with high potential is selected and given funding to kick-start his/her fashion career. CFW, hosted at the Hilton Colombo, provides a rare opportunity for aspiring designers to showcase their creative talent at the ‘BrightSpark’ Shows, which will take place on 11 March this year at the CFW Spring/Summer 2015 Show, within the Fashion Village.

“CFW, which started ‘BrightSpark’ Shows to build up the next generation of Sri Lankan fashion designers also realized that some of them need support and resources to help them start their careers, and that gave birth to the CFW Fashion Design Fund which is used each year to support one promising designer,” says Ajai V. Singh. “I hope that we can grow the fund, and I would like to encourage corporates to come forward and help us support more designers. I am happy that we started this fund, which has proved to be a very satisfying initiative that has really helped the selected designers start their careers."

CFW, the backbone of the Sri Lankan fashion industry, established the ‘BrightSpark’ programme to nurture emerging fashion talent and bring recognition to the best young designers amongst CFW’s discerning patrons. Applications for the ‘BrightSpark’ programme are open to all fashion design students. Applicants are evaluated by an expert panel of judges, who handpick the most promising candidates. 

In the months leading up to the show, ‘BrightSpark’ designers work closely with the CFW team, who provides them with integral feedback and mentor them throughout their creative process – from conceptualization to the production of a runway-ready collection. ‘BrightSpark’ designers are given the coveted opportunity to learn the inner workings of a Fashion Week as well as how to create a collection that will be showcased to an audience comprising leading designers, editors, buyers and influencers. 

At the end of this intensive mentoring process, the most impressive ‘BrightSpark’ designer is adjudged the winner of the prestigious CFW Fashion Design Fund, which is put towards his/her ramp collection. This year, the Design Fund was awarded to Kasun Gunawardena who works with eco-friendly, hand woven fabrics and involves local artisans and craftspeople to create standout designs that use minimum waste and energy. Kasun earned a diploma in Fashion Design at the LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore and went on to complete his BA in Fashion Design at the Academy of Design, Sri Lanka.

“As a designer I am drawn to cultures of various ethnicities, space, ventilation and minimalism. I follow the Buddhist philosophy of detachment and simplicity which is usually reflected in my work,” says Kasun. “I wish to develop a lifestyle brand that inspires consumers to live a sustainable, minimal lifestyle and create wearable art.”

Last year’s CFW Fashion Design Fund winner, Peronie Stefel will also show on the main ramp of the CFW SS15 Show. This shows the impact the CFW Fashion Design Fund has on new fashion designers by helping them to take significant steps into the next stage of their careers. CFW hopes that Kasun, too, will continue this trend and be an inspiration to other aspiring fashion designers.

Kasun is one of eight ‘BrightSpark’ designers who will debut their collections at CFW, at the ‘BrightSpark’ Shows on 11 March 2015 at 7.00 p.m., within the Fashion Village at the Hilton Colombo Poolside. Tickets for ‘BrightSpark’ Shows can be purchased online at www.cfwtickets.shopbox.lk. 

CFW is one of three fashion weeks in Asia that has been running for over ten years old and will return for its 12th rendition from 8 to 15 March 2015 at the Hilton Colombo Poolside, which will be themed this year as the Fashion Village. CFW is strengthened by its likeminded partners – HSBC, Hilton Colombo, Land Rover, Wineworld, Xquisit, Colombo Jewellery Stores, Unilever, TATA Housing, Hameedia, Ramani Fernando Salons, Leo Burnett and Quintessentially – who share its vision and aspirations, and lend their support towards its commitment to raising the bar of fashion in Sri Lanka. 

The CFW SS15 Show will be hosted at the Hilton Colombo Poolside, which will be themed as the Fashion Village and serve as the dynamic centre of all CFW initiatives. The Main Shows (12 to 14 March) will unveil the latest collections of 20 local and seven international designers. For ‘Fashion+Food’ (8 to 15 March) CFW partners with six premier restaurants to create limited edition fashion-themed menus, and with four Chefs of the Hilton Colombo to offer an exciting à la carte menu featuring innovative Bento boxes at the Fashion Café. CFW wraps up its week-long series of events with its After Parties (13 and 14 March), two exciting themed parties featuring ‘Music Designed’ DJs and performers.

For more information, visit the official CFW website at www.colombofashionweek.com or follow the latest updates on the official CFW Facebook page at www.facebook.com/colombofashionweek.