Sri Lanka fashion sparks fresh path to inspire South Asia

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is setting its sights on a new goal: to become South Asia’s creative industries hub, building on its longstanding reputation for quality manufacturing and sustainable practices. 

The industry’s potential to drive the country’s economy forward with a creative twist came under fresh spotlight at the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2024. “When you think of Sri Lanka, everybody just maybe thought it was a manufacturing industry,” Speldewinde told the audience. But for me, I was totally inspired by this industry and the things they did,” said Academy of Design (AOD) and SLDF Founder Linda Speldewinde at the finale of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka 2024.

Linda Speldewinde

Her comments capture a sentiment echoed by many industry players who see Sri Lanka’s apparel sector as more than just a production base, one that could thrive by combining manufacturing with design, sustainability,
and innovation.

This fresh vision arrives at a critical moment for Sri Lanka’s economy, which has been hit hard by a series of challenges, from the pandemic to financial upheavals. For the apparel industry, these pressures have been an opportunity to recalibrate. 

This year’s Fashion Week showcased that shift, with a strong display of collections blending craftsmanship and technology, suggesting the industry’s readiness to stand out in a highly competitive region.

“The next phase for us is this creative industries hub for South Asia,” Speldewinde said, noting the region’s appetite for sustainable, high-quality apparel and the untapped potential for Sri Lanka to lead in this area. Leaders in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector are keen to set a new standard, seeing this as a chance to add value beyond manufacturing and turn the country into a go-to destination for ethically sourced and thoughtfully
designed fashion.

The drive to create a regional influence comes with some major competition from Bangladesh and India, both well-established players in global apparel. 

However, Sri Lanka’s recent struggles, Speldewinde noted, have given the sector a renewed sense of purpose and resilience. 

“Maybe they’ve been through the craziest of times,” she said, emphasizing the strength that has come from enduring these past few years.

In the leadership forums held as a part of the SLDF, industry stakeholders shared that the timing of Sri Lanka’s shift is crucial, as global brands increasingly seek partners that prioritize sustainability and
creative expertise. 

With renewed focus, the industry expressed confidence that Sri Lanka’s apparel sector is well on track to secure a unique role in South Asia, not only as a dependable manufacturing hub but as a regional leader in design and innovation with the potential to shape markets beyond its borders.