Alumni Featured Faces Tell Their Stories

Eminent personalities from across the years share their heartfelt testimonies and memorable experiences of being featured in Hi!! Magazine, celebrating the legacy and impact of their appearance

As Hi!! Magazine proudly celebrates its 21st anniversary, we reflect on over two decades of capturing the essence of our times. From hoteliers and photographers to opera singers, designers, and even a celebrity chef masquerading as a drag artiste, eminent personalities from around the world have graced our covers and now share their unique stories and testimonials. Hi!! Magazine has consistently been a zeitgeist, documenting the evolution of fashion, personalities, travel, and lifestyle throughout the years. The magazine has celebrated the achievements of Sri Lankans and those connected to the island in its pages, becoming a beacon of pride and recognition.

Acknowledged by Sri Lankans across the globe as one of the country’s leading publications, Hi!! Magazine firmly maintains its position as Sri Lanka’s numero uno magazine. To commemorate this significant milestone, we present a cross-section of our past cover stars, sharing their experiences and the impact of gracing the cover of Hi!! Magazine. Join us in celebrating 21 years of excellence, inspiration, and the vibrant spirit that defines Hi!! Magazine.

Hi!! Magazine is such a success story

“I vividly remember beaming with pride and also feeling utter anxiety when I was featured on the cover of Hi!! Magazine. It was Tina’s first cover story, which made it even more special. Being recognized by a Sri Lankan publication meant so much to me, as it connected me deeply with my roots. 

The cover story really introduced my brand, Lois London, to my Sri Lankan audience. It provided me with an invaluable opportunity to express exactly what Lois London represents and who I am as a designer. This exposure was instrumental in building my brand’s identity and expanding its reach.

Hi!! Magazine is such a success story. It continues to have its readers eagerly turning its pages to see the who’s who of  Sri Lanka’s society and each and every event. It plays a crucial role in the lifestyle and cultural fabric of the country, making it an indispensable publication.

Radhika Perera Hernandez

Congratulations to Hi!! on 21 years of being the pioneer and leader in lifestyle magazines

“I have many great memories of the shoots and the creative process for the different features and the two covers I did for Hi!! Magazine. It was always a pleasure and so much fun to work with the team, and the result was always stylish and special. Congratulations to Hi!! on 21 years of being the pioneer and leader in lifestyle magazines, one that many have enjoyed over the years.”

Otara Gunawardene

Thank you  for being brave to tackle sensitive issues

As a passionate advocate for Colourism I am so grateful to the  HI! Magazine for featuring my story and helping me propel the message around tackling Colourism. Kudos to Hi!! Magazine for featuring a sensitive story such as this, which affects many Sri Lankans. Being a darker skinned Tamil girl, I did not see much representation in mainstream media nor even in Bollywood/Kollywood let alone someone who looked like me on the cover of a magazine. So being given the opportunity to not only be on the cover and have my story shared across such a powerful magazine meant a lot to so many girls around the world and also healed a part of my inner child. Thank you Hi!! Magazine for being brave to tackle sensitive issues.

Swarnaa Rajalingam

It’s fabulous that our beautiful island has such a fun, glossy magazine that allows us to escape and stay in touch with pop culture, even in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

“Being featured on the cover of Hi!! Magazine was a significant milestone in my career, especially given my Sri Lankan heritage. I have worked in the fashion and entertainment industry for over 30 years, collaborating with renowned magazines like Vogue, Interview, and Paper. However, the thrill of gracing the cover of Hi!! Magazine was unparalleled because I knew it would be something my mother and her family would be incredibly proud to see.

The feature in Hi!! Magazine was beautifully written, perfectly articulating my career journey and accomplishments. This exposure added immense value to my brand and business, leading to multiple new collaborations in Asia. One particularly memorable project was a delightful collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels that involved my entire family.

I have immense respect for Hi!! magazine as Sri Lanka’s leading lifestyle publication. It’s fabulous that our beautiful island has such a fun, glossy magazine that allows us to escape and stay in touch with pop culture, even on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!”

Nigel Barker 

Being featured in Hi!! Magazine is a privilege for many, as it is globally circulated and highly respected

“Being featured as the first covergirl of the Hi!! Magazine was a chance to stand out, share my compelling story, and connect with a wider audience. This opportunity significantly boosted my brand awareness, allowing me to reach and engage with more people.

The feature in Hi!! Magazine strengthened my brand story by providing a platform to tell it on a larger scale. Hi!! Magazine’s annual coverage of prestigious fashion shows like CFW offered me the chance to share my brand values and journey, creating a deeper connection with customers. This exposure was invaluable in enhancing my brand’s presence and credibility.

Kudos to Editor in Chief Shyamalee Tudawe and her team for creating a magazine which has gained a stellar reputation for highlighting and showcasing Sri Lanka’s finest and often hidden talents. This kind of platform is incredibly important for our artists, designers, and curators, allowing their vision to be seen by a broader audience. Being featured in Hi!! Magazine is a privilege for many, as it is globally circulated and highlyrespected.”

Yoland Aluvihare

Hi!! Magazine contains a wealth of information

“I was honoured to be asked to be on the cover of the Hi!! Magazine many years ago. It was moving to be recognized in my parents’ home country for my contribution to the music industry. Hi!! Magazine is not just a society fashion magazine but also contains a wealth of information on lifestyle, travel and other topics of interest to all cultures. Hi!! has its finger on the pulse of modern culture  and I am delighted to be part of the Hi!! Magazine family.”

Danielle De Niese

Keep up the good work and long may the Hi!! continue

“I was honored to be given the wonderful opportunity to grace the cover of Hi!! Magazine Sri Lanka’s premier lifestyle magazine. It has been a highlight of my life and career. 

The opportunity certainly gave me loads of mileage and maximum exposure in Sri Lanka as well as internationally. I am proud to say that I have built up a client base consisting of the cream of Sri Lankan and expat society, as well as foreign dignitaries and travelers.

Hi!! is doing an excellent job of keeping up with all the lifestyle and social events in Sri Lanka, showcasing them internationally to other media and Sri Lankans around the globe. This is definitely keeping up with modern times. Keep up the good work and long may the Hi!! continue”

Vasantha De Silva

Everyone was thrilled to be featured in the magazine, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka

“When Hi!! Magazine was launched, it caused elation both in Sri Lanka and worldwide, especially among the diaspora. Everyone was thrilled to be featured in the magazine, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. I had the privilege of being featured as the cover person in 2004, which was quite bold even then. I recall the shoot being totally fun, filled with laughter and excitement. I remember the magazine being read in all corners of the world from the number of people calling and messaging me.

The cover picture was even used as the backdrop for my first big drag show, “I Feel Pretty.” Furthermore, Hi!! Magazine has always featured my restaurants, shows, and all the ventures I have been involved in, providing me with phenomenal publicity and helping to spread the word about my work.

Congratulations on the 21st year of the magazine. Wishing you all many more successful years to come.

Koluu

In this cut-and-thrust world of publications, Hi!! Magazine towers head and shoulders above the rest

“I am extremely honored to have graced the cover of Hi!! Magazine, founded by the charismatic Shyamalee Tudawe which is widely read all over the world.  Thanks to Tina’s easy pen, which whets the appetite, paints beautiful pictures, and offers an easy read, the feature brought many adventurous guests to Helgas Folly.  Thanks to the articles over the years our  guests were interested in experiencing a Sri Lankan home—a grown-up’s nursery—our way of life, in a relaxed family atmosphere, and were not expecting a starred emporium!

Life must have whimsy to survive. In this cut-and-thrust world of publications, Hi!! Magazine towers head and shoulders above the rest and is a ‘delicious’ leading lifestyle magazine which caters to all palates. Congratulations to all!

Helga De Silva Blow Perera

It has allowed the diaspora a window into Sri Lankan lifestyle and Colombo a view into the diaspora’s successes overseas-way before Instagram was that window

“Hi!! Magazine celebrating 21 years—what an accolade! And a reminder of my age. I would have been in my twenties when it first launched. Hi!! Magazine and Shyamalee Tudawe have always been synonymous.

For the first Hi!! Best Dressed List in 2013, my sister Saskia and I were honored to be asked by Minoli Ratnayake to be featured on the Hi!! cover for this inaugural issue.

So many of the city’s milestones are set in print, and for me and my family on a professional level too-from the opening of my father’s boutique hotel to the Royal Visit, and of course, any establishment’s opening or brand launch. Hi!! Magazine has become more than just a local publication. It has allowed the diaspora a window into Sri Lankan lifestyle and Colombo a view into the diaspora’s successes overseas-way before Instagram was that window.

An event is an event if Hi!! is there, and everyone looks out for the Hi!! photographer to take their best shot. If you analyze the pages, you’ll also see the journey, evolution, and embracement of Sri Lankan fashion design and designers, now proudly worn by one and all. The pages reveal that this was not always the case.
Congratulations to everyone at Hi!! Magazine - Sujan, Shyamalee, the team, and all those along the way!”

Annika Fernando