Mr. Ajai VirSIngh - Founder President, Colombo Fashion Week

A movement that fathered the fashion development in Sri Lanka, celebrates 15 years this season. Having impacted every aspect of the fashion design industry, it now looks to take the Sri Lankan fashion design industry to the next level. HSBC Colombo Fashion Week expands the boundaries of the fashion industry by launching new creative initiatives with multiple initiatives, keeping in line with its vision that aims to develop and showcase Sri Lanka's fashion design industry to the world and to the fashion consumers of Sri Lanka. 

Last year CFW celebrated another important milestone with their title partner HSBC, that saw a celebration of 10 years of their partnership that saw this beautiful story of fashion development unfold in front of everyone. This partnership has grown from strength to strength and supported the development of the local fashion design industry by supporting this development focused program. This year they look to the next decade.

For the past 15 years CFW has contributed immensely to the growth and expansion of the Sri Lankan fashion industry by providing local designers with a solid platform and international exposure while contributing to a multitude of facets that makes up the industry including fashion education, fashion retail and designer development.

Mr.Mark Prothero - Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives

Mark Prothero, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives, commented “We are happy to partner Colombo Fashion Week as the title sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. As a leading International bank that has been here for over 125 years, we believe in creating opportunities, fostering growth and supporting the country’s development through such events that raise the profile of Sri Lanka. This event is one that is keenly anticipated by our customers as one of the biggest lifestyle events in Sri Lanka, and we hope that this year will live up to all their expectations through a colorful display of fashion and creativity by local and renowned international fashion designers.”

Hosted by Hilton Colombo, its base for the last few years, it celebrates 9 years with Hilton, a partnership that has evolved and become synonymous with fashion and its development.   General Manager Manesh Fernando says, “it’s been a great partnership that has benefitted all of us throughout the years, which has placed Sri Lanka on the global map as being a must visit destination not only for sun, sea, culture and adventure, but for fashion too. Hilton Colombo is also committed to the development of youth and such events as CFW provides opportunities for emerging designers and we fully endorse it.”

CFW brings the city of Colombo alive through the eyes of fashion and related industries, under the theme “Celebrate Colombo”. This also aims to showcase Colombo as a hub of tourism and as a city that is vibrant and creative. The week of CFW will start from the 19th of March and will go on till the 25th and will be filled with collaborations with art, film, food and even music and would include knowledge workshops, ethical fashion, designer showcases and the emerging designer showcase. 

Mr.Manesh Fernando - General Manager, Hilton Colombo

Each partner has been an important stakeholder and contributed in a significant and a relevant way to make this journey important and effective with their support and efforts. Ponds BB+ provide the make-up beauty looks for the last few seasons as the Official Beauty Partner, they understood the needs of the fashion industry and individual personalities. 

Audi is the Official Automobile of Colombo Fashion Week, their strength in design led performance is what makes them a brand that fashions performance globally. 

Hydration partner, OLU, is a pure and distinct natural mineral water sourced from the cloud forests of Sri Lanka. Wineworld.lk continues to be the official Lifestyle Beverage Partner, providing the widest range of internationally renowned wines and spirits.

The iconic Ramani Fernando has been part of this journey since inception as the Official Hair and Make-up Partner, Vision Care as the Official Eyewear Partner, Hameedia, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka and MSLGROUP Sri Lanka as the Official PR Partner, We Are Designers as the Website Development Partner and Emerging Media as the Outdoor Digital Media Partner – all who share and extend their support towards the vision and aspirations of CFW.

“It’s a good milestone for the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka, by god’s grace and support of all the stakeholders we have consistently climbed the steps. Today when we look back the humble step that was taken in 2003 has created and revived the fashion design industry of Sri Lanka, it has built pride in Sri Lankan labels, opened the way for young Sri Lankans to become designers and created commerce. This year we look to next 15.”said Ajai Vir Singh – Founder and President of Colombo Fashion Week.

 (L – R) Mr. Dasantha Fonseka- Chairman & Managing Director - Vision Care, Ms. Ramani Fernando – Founder - Ramani Fernando Salons, Mr. Dirk Flamer Caldera – Director - Colombo Fashion Week, Mr. Hiran De Silva - Managing Director - Drive One (Pvt) Ltd (Authorized Dealer for Audi in Sri Lanka), Mr. Mark Prothero - Chief Executive Officer - HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives, Mr. AjaiVir Singh - Founder President - Colombo Fashion Week, Manesh Fernando - General Manager - Hilton Colombo, Ms. Nilushi Jayatileke - Marketing Manager - Skin Care & Hair Care Unilever Sri Lanka, Shalindra Fernando - Chief Executive Officer - Olu Tropical Water and Wine World.

More than 30 designers, both local and international are set to showcase over a period of four days. Some of the international designers include Bibi Russell, Eymeric Francois, Urvashi Kaur and TarunTahiliani. The Sri Lankan designers list will feature Darshi Keerthisena, Upeksha Hager, Charini Suriyage,Maus, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Conscience, Meraki, Sonali Dharmawardena, Fouzul Hameed, Jaishree, Amilani Perera, Catherine Rawson, Lovi Ceylon, Nilanka Silva, Aslam Hussein, Indeevari Yapa Abeyagunawardene and Gihan Ediriweera among others.

Emerging Designer Showcase

The Emerging Designer Showcase will see 12 high potential designers take the ramp, this is an exciting part of the week, where the next generation of designers showcase their talent. The designers have been mentored in honing their skills and guided through the CFW creative process, the shows will take place at a new location at the Hilton Colombo. This will be Day 4 of the shows, on the 25th of March.

Art Connect

5th Edition of Art connect showcases compositions by 6 renowned Sri Lankan artists. It will bring together the two aesthetic streams of Fashion and art under the theme ‘Co-liberate’ via the featured artwork, where the artists will also gather inspiration from a CFW Designer to create one of their artworks. The opening on the 19th of March, will gather a number of invitees along with a cocktail night, and will be open to the public to view the next day. 

The Responsible Fashion Summit

The responsible Fashion movement is a value system founded based on the founder’s vision of Fashion-For-Good or Good Fashion that brings about goodness in the society and to the environment. Initiated in 2010 as a part of the Fashion week, this year, the first Responsible Fashion Summit is scheduled to take place with a panel of local and international experts addressing the subject on the 19th of March. 

Music Designed

Colombo Fashion Week launches the collaboration of Music with fashion this season, as music in an important element of presenting fashion. Independent artistes are picked for this segment to create original tracks for selected CFW designers for their runway segment. Technical support by Hit Factory and Sooriya Village. Radio partner TNL Radio. 

Fashion Films

This is the third season of Fashion Films which creates a platform for aspiring film directors. It's a unique collaboration between designers and film directors to produce a 1-minute-Fashion-Films shot on a smartphone. It's a film presentation of their ideation of Summer collections and the inspiration behind it, to bring the designers inspirations to life through film. These films will be revealed before each collection takes the runway.

Knowledge Workshops 

Colombo Fashion Week aims to enhance the knowledge base of young designers in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan fashion industry’s most sought after experts are invited to conduct workshops to provide the event’s attendees with useful insights. This year a workshop under the topic Fashion and Lifestyle in Social Media and Blogging on the 21st of March. 

Fashion + Food

Every season CFW partners with some of Colombo’s leading restaurants to create limited edition menus expected to give participants an unparalleled gastronomical adventure, exclusively during the fashion week from the 19th to 25th of March. This season fashion and food events are designed around the fashion capitals of the world, London, New York, Tokyo, Milan and Paris. CFW partners with Il Ponte, LAB, IkoiTei at Hilton Colombo, ‘rare’ by Uga Residence and Cafe Francais to create a series of themed events during the week.