SHAHILI GOMES-McCOY FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, THE DESIGN COLLECTIVE

She is the Co-Founder of ‘The Design Collective’ in Sri Lanka, which she co-founded with her childhood friend, Binu Wickremasinghe. This concept store was created to showcase the exceptional talent of designers in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in South Asia. With years of industry expertise, the duo curated a collection of over one hundred independent clothing and beauty brands, making The Design Collective the best multi-brand store in Sri Lanka. Since its launch in 2017, it has become a go-to destination for incredible fashion, empowering both men and women to express their individuality and style. The store has been featured in magazines across the world including, Grazia Pakistan, Vogue India, British Vogue, and the Evening Standard, UK. Prior to launching The Design Collective, she was a Marketing Executive at Mitre Sports, Pentland Brands, UK, a Brand Strategy Assistant at Interbrand, UK, a PR and Events Organizer at Avant Premiere, UK, and a PR and Sales Intern at Copenhagen Fashion Week for MaxMara. She is also the Creative Director of Gandhara, Sri Lanka, and Villa Republic, Sri Lanka. An alumna of both Vishaka Vidyalaya and Colombo International School, she was a member of the National Water Polo team and the National Synchronized Swim team and has represented Sri Lanka at the South Asian Games. She is armed with an MSc. in Strategic Marketing from Imperial College, London, and a Bsc. in International Management from the Manchester Business School, at Manchester University, UK. She has also successfully completed a one-year exchange programme at Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, a programme on General Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, USA and a programme in Fashion Design and Marketing at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London, UK. 

She is daring. She has a magnetic personality and turns heads wherever she goes. She is always dressed to the nines and is without a doubt one of Colombo’s most fashionable entrepreneurs.  She is confident and driven. She exudes professionalism, leadership, and innovation, and she inspires others whilst breaking barriers in her industry. Shahili Gomes McCoy. 

Who is Shahili Gomes McCoy?
In a nutshell, I’m the Co-Founder of The Design Collective, a multi-brand clothing store showcasing the work of over seventy designers in Sri Lanka. We currently have one flagship store in Colombo 06. I am also the Creative Director at Gandhara, the interiors store founded by my father, Dian Gomes. I spent my formative years in Sri Lanka before moving to the UK for my tertiary education at Manchester Business School in 2008. In 2009, I completed the Summer Program at Stanford Business School, and in 2011, I spent a year studying at the Copenhagen Business School. Upon successfully completing my undergraduate studies, I went on to do a Masters in Strategic Marketing at Imperial College London. Thereafter, I spent two years working in brand strategy at Interbrand and strategic marketing at Pentland Brands in London, prior to launching my own business, The Design Collective. At present, I divide my time between Colombo and London. I currently live in Chelsea with my lawyer husband, David and our two-year-old son, River. Outside of work, my twin passions are travelling and HIT. I can be found at a Barry’s Bootcamp studio most weekends.

What inspired you to join the Fashion-Retail space?
I was inspired to create The Design Collective as a platform for designers from Sri Lanka and the surrounding region to showcase their work. Taking inspiration from multi-brand boutiques around the world, I wanted to bring a modern aesthetic to the fashion retail experience in Colombo with a large open-plan space and bright white minimalism. Almost six years on, The Design Collective has one physical store and an e-commerce site selling direct to consumers all over the world. 

TDC x NO FILTER CLINIC: Share with us in summary more details of this upcoming event in London? 
My friend, Dr Sindhu Siddiqi and I decided to join forces to create a truly exceptional event that will showcase a thoughtfully curated collection of works by some of the most renowned and up-and-coming artists from Sri Lanka and South Asia, as well as incredible beauty products. With our shared passion for empowering talent, Dr Sindhu and I are excited to bring something new to London. This is an inspiring initiative aimed at empowering Sri Lankan and South Asian designers by providing them with a platform to showcase their exceptional skills and creativity to the London market. By supporting these talented artisans, we hope to contribute to the growth of their local communities while helping our customers look and feel their absolute best, with exquisite designs that reflect their individual styles and personalities.
Brands at our first pop-up will include: Sonali Dharmawardane, MISHO, Nayani, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Nåd, House of Lonali, Swanee, Cher by Chevonne, Mint Ceylon, Maja, Dimitra, Kur New York, Gai, Ramona Oshini, Sahesh by Isle of Rataa, QOH, Olive Yu, Kudya, ITR by Khyati Pande, Sola & Isle, Harid, Podur, RumPunch, Aarya, Tharu the Studio, Navya, Divya Ninety-Three, Nimanse, and Aviika to name a few.
Date: 20th and 21st May 2023 
Time: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Address: No. 9, Young Street, Kensington, London. 

You’re a working mom with one son: How do you strike that perfect work-life balance?
There is no such thing as a perfect balance, I try to take each day at a time. Some days I am a kick ass mum doing the best activities with River and I really am a mediocre boss, but some days I am the best boss and a very mediocre mum. I think accepting there is no balance is a start. 

What makes TDC different from its competitors?
The Design Collective has the largest edit of Sri Lankan brands in the island. We offer many different fashion vibes rather than just my style of clothing. We also offer many brands at different price points and size options. 

What inspired you to do a pop up in London?
I am primarily based out of London and it only makes sense to start our pop ups in London first. We will host many more in London and other locations across Europe, Middle East and Asia in the coming year. We are very excited for that! 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
(I)Representing Sri Lanka at the Asian Games for synchronized swimming was definitely a personal highlight. This was years ago when I was still in school, but the early morning training and discipline is etched in my mind. 

(II)Launching ‘The Design Collective’ store almost six years ago will always remain a career highlight as I always wanted to work in fashion.
(III)The ongoing collaboration between TDC and Colombo Fashion Week is another highlight. We work with emerging designers, and we mentor many young designers each year.