Singer Fashion Academy paves way for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs

Sashi Fashion Shell owner and dressmaker Sashini Thilakshika Punchipatabandi

Everyone likes to hear a good success story, especially one that involves an individual going through a learning curve in life that eventually ends up changing their life for the better within a short period of time and opening up a world of opportunity and prospects for them.

This exact sentiment is one that has been experienced by many students who graduated from the Singer Fashion Academy after pursuing courses related to fashion and dressmaking and have gone on to forge successful careers and prospering businesses after having had learned a craft that enables them to practice their passions and forge a solid career out of it.
Recently, a young lady who had completed two courses from the Singer Fashion Academy had gone on to launch her own dressmaking outlet in Tangalle, where she hailed from. Launched as ‘Sashi Fashion Shell’, she embarked on an entrepreneurial journey following her graduation from the Singer Fashion Academy. 

Owner and dressmaker at Sashi Fashion Shell, Sashini Thilakshika Punchipatabandi spoke with Singer Fashion Academy and shared her story on how she successfully trudged through challenging territories when it came to the subject of fashion. 

She explained how the Singer Fashion Academy and her lecturers had assisted her throughout her learning process with the academy to not only learn new things but to also boost their confidence and balance work with studies together. 

Sashini, when queried as to why she chose to learn dressmaking disclosed that she has always been interested in sewing and learning to make her own dresses from a very young age. However, after she gradually got into full-time work, she had always wondered about learning to sew her own saree jackets and went about looking for a reputed place to learn the techniques of doing so. 

“I had no skills whatsoever when it came to sewing and was eager to enrol at a class that would enable me to learn how to make my own saree jackets since I was working full-time and required to wear sarees daily. Eventually, I was browsing online one day and came upon an online flyer that mentioned courses through the Singer Fashion Academy. I contacted them and acquired details with regards to the courses they offered and it went from there.”

The closest branch of the academy for her was located in Embilipitiya. Therefore, she went on to enrol in a Saree Jacket course, which she completed in less than six months. An added advantage that she benefitted from was the level of flexibility and support that the Singer Fashion Academy offered to students who were especially working and attending classes at the same time. 

She however, did not stop there as her interest piqued and with the encouragement of her teachers, she enrolled in a Diploma in Scientific Dressmaking for a year. Her teachers motivated her to go forward with it. 

“The academy helped me immensely to ensure that my job was not affected and they supplied a lot of relevant material that were necessary for ensuring we delivered a quality design.”
The academy’s interactive approach to teaching was also very instrumental in making sure she grasped all the skills necessary to putting out a new creation. She was easily able to get ready to take part in the academy’s graduation fashion show and attend to her occupation as well without 
a hitch. 

She added, “After graduating with my diploma, I felt confident enough to start my own outlet and create custom-made bridal wear, saree jackets, party wear and pre-shoot wear to name a few. This was how I was able to launch Sashi Fashion Shell in Yayawatte, Tangalle. At the moment, I run the outlet with my mother and in the near future I hope to employ more staff and expand the business,” Sashini stated. 

Sashini further added, “I am truly indebted to the Singer Fashion Academy for their valued support throughout this learning journey and the level of confidence that I was able to achieve from the beginning. The teachers and staff of the academy have been very supportive and always eager to help. I wish to thank Subashini Anuruddhika for her guidance and the management and staff of Singer Business School for being there with us along the way.”

Explaining further about her business, she relayed that unlike setting up a tailoring outlet for instance, there is a level of creativity that can be gained thanks to the knowledge she acquired from the diploma. She is able to design and create unique pieces for herself or the individual who seeks 
her services. 

“A fashion designer’s approach is different and sometimes you have customers who look up designs over the internet and ask us to create something similar for them. So, having an understanding of the fashion design schematic has really helped me to come up with unique garments for my clients. This is why I felt even more interested in going further down the same path with the Singer Fashion Academy and so, enrolled in a six-month certificate course in fashion design.”