Redefining Sri Lanka’s Design Frontier and Global Reach; Linda Speldewinde

Linda Speldewinde, the visionary behind Sri Lanka’s most recognized design initiatives, has spent over fifteen years cultivating a thriving ecosystem for Sri Lankan craft and fashion. Through her work, she has inspired countless local artisans, young designers, and businesses to reimagine what Sri Lankan talent can achieve on both local and international stages. Linda’s recent ventures in Canada with Urban Island, along with her steadfast dedication to the Academy of Design (AOD), Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) 2024, showcase her enduring commitment to placing Sri Lankan design on the world map.

Urban Island, Canada

Linda’s vision for Urban Island as a direct-to-consumer luxury brand has taken shape in two dynamic markets: Colombo and Toronto. As the Founder, Linda has been instrumental in building Urban Island into an emblem of Sri Lankan craftsmanship, capturing the essence of local design while appealing to a global audience.

In Colombo, Urban Island, currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment, has established itself as a beloved brand that beautifully showcases Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. Known for its meticulously crafted offerings, Urban Island provides a curated range of products, from home décor and art pieces to fashion and accessories, each celebrating the island’s unique artistry and tradition. This home-grown success set the stage for Urban Island’s entry into the international market, bringing Linda’s dream of a global Sri Lankan brand closer to reality. The Canadian expansion was a bold move, with the Rosedale location in Toronto selected as the flagship Urban Island store, designed to bring Sri Lankan craftsmanship directly to North American consumers.

Linda’s role in the Toronto expansion involved her hands-on approach to every stage of the process. She spent considerable time in Canada from 2021 till 2023, working on everything from sourcing and curating products to ensuring that the store’s design and customer experience reflected Urban Island’s core values. The flagship in Rosedale is not only a retail location but a statement of Sri Lanka’s place in the global luxury market. For Linda, this move embodies her philosophy of “thinking globally, acting locally,” as she bridges the gap between Sri Lanka’s artisans and international consumers.

This undertaking has reinforced Linda’s belief that by establishing Sri Lankan brands abroad, the local design ecosystem in Sri Lanka can thrive. Urban Island Canada has allowed her to showcase Sri Lankan craftsmanship on a global stage, building appreciation for the artistry that defines Sri Lankan design while supporting the industry back home. Through Urban Island’s journey, Linda continues to redefine Sri Lankan luxury, bringing her country’s creative spirit to the world.

Urban Island Experiences

Now with an established team in Canada, Linda is able to split her time effectively, focusing on both Urban Island’s continued growth and her contributions to the Sri Lankan market. Linda's commitment to delivering a Sri Lankan luxury experience to Canadians also extends beyond retail; she recently introduced Urban Island Experiences, an exclusive tourism initiative. Through curated tours, Canadian visitors are immersed in Sri Lanka’s luxury hospitality and rich cultural heritage, blending adventure with high-end design and local craftsmanship. By showcasing these experiences to North Americans, Linda is introducing Sri Lankan luxury to a new demographic, with plans to expand this concept to other regions.

Academy of Design

At the heart of Linda’s vision is the Academy of Design (AOD), an institution that has become synonymous with high-quality design education in Sri Lanka. Established as a hub for young designers to develop their skills, AOD has created pathways for countless graduates to achieve success locally and internationally. Linda’s foresight to partner AOD with Northumbria University has elevated the institution, giving students the opportunity to earn internationally recognized degrees in design right in Colombo. AOD isn’t just a school; it’s a launchpad for innovation, bringing together designers, artisans, and entrepreneurs who share a commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s creative landscape.

AOD graduates play a significant role in the design community, working with well-known local brands or establishing their own ventures that fuse Sri Lankan tradition with modern design principles. Through AOD, Linda has created a cycle of empowerment, where every graduate strengthens Sri Lanka’s reputation as a centre of design excellence. The Academy’s emphasis on sustainable design and ethical practices further aligns with Linda’s broader mission of promoting design that is both beautiful and responsible.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2024

This year, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) 2024 stands as another testament to Linda’s efforts in showcasing Sri Lankan talent to a global audience. Since its inception, MBFW Sri Lanka has evolved into a premier event, attracting fashion icons, media, and brands from around the world. With Linda at the helm, MBFW has grown in both scale and influence, providing local designers an unparalleled platform to present their collections alongside international brands. For many Sri Lankan designers, this event represents a unique opportunity to gain exposure, expand their network, and, most importantly, share the story of Sri Lankan fashion with the world.

MBFW 2024 promises to spotlight a diverse array of Sri Lankan talent, from established names to emerging designers, all under the global fashion spotlight. Linda’s work in making MBFW an internationally recognized event not only strengthens Sri Lanka’s identity in the global fashion landscape but also supports her vision of positioning Sri Lanka as a key player in the sustainable and ethical fashion movement. Each year, MBFW reinforces the message that Sri Lankan fashion is not only about style but also about responsible and meaningful design.

Sri Lanka Design Festival 2024

Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2024 also reflects Linda’s commitment to fostering a vibrant design culture within Sri Lanka. This year’s festival, with India as the partner nation, focuses on building a strong regional alliance that supports cross-cultural exchanges and collaborative creativity. SLDF 2024 will bring together top designers, artisans, and brands from across South Asia, creating an event that celebrates the richness of South Asian design traditions while highlighting contemporary innovations. For Linda, SLDF is more than an event; it’s a movement that invites the world to engage with Sri Lankan design and fosters relationships that promote cultural appreciation and business growth.

Linda’s vision for SLDF extends beyond the festival itself. By involving regional partners like India, she is building a platform for collaborative innovation, where Sri Lankan artisans and designers can share ideas, learn from neighbouring markets, and gain valuable exposure. For Sri Lankan artisans, SLDF is a critical moment to showcase their craft, tell their stories, and secure opportunities that enhance their livelihoods. This year's partnership with India underscores a shared dedication to honouring traditional artistry while pushing boundaries in contemporary design.

Design for Sustainable Development

Linda’s influence goes far beyond AOD, MBFW and SLDF. Through initiatives like Design for Sustainable Development (DFSD), Linda collaborates directly with artisans across Sri Lanka, empowering rural communities by connecting them with high-profile designers and brands. This initiative has brought economic opportunities to hundreds of families, particularly women, who benefit from the fair-trade principles and sustainable practices Linda champions. Her work with DFSD is a testament to her belief that design can be a force for positive change, providing artisans a platform to share their skills with the world and earn a living in a dignified, sustainable way.

Moreover, Linda’s projects like Urban Island and DFSD are reminders that while Sri Lanka is a small island nation, its creative potential is vast. For her, every international achievement, whether it’s a store in Canada or a successful SLDF, reflects a commitment to bringing back value to Sri Lanka. Linda’s efforts to establish Sri Lanka’s design sector as a global player are fuelled by her dedication to creating a lasting impact on her home country, as she continuously seeks ways to nurture and uplift Sri Lanka’s creative talent.

Linda’s journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering belief in Sri Lankan talent. By bridging Colombo and Toronto, she’s not only expanded the reach of Sri Lankan design but also created a sustainable model for success that inspires others in the industry. Her journey has shown that going beyond Sri Lanka’s borders can bring valuable insights and resources back to the country, helping to elevate local craftspeople and designers while building a global network of collaborators and consumers.

As Linda looks to the future, her ambitions remain firmly rooted in Sri Lanka. She envisions a design industry that is not only a source of national pride but also an influential player in the global market. With plans to expand her Urban Island and Urban Island Experiences initiatives, as well as further strengthening ties with regional partners like India, Linda is creating a legacy that future generations of Sri Lankan designers and entrepreneurs can build upon. Through her dedication and vision, Linda Speldewinde exemplifies what it means to be a true change-maker, someone who not only dreams big but also brings those dreams to life, creating a brighter future for Sri Lankan design.