Sri Lanka Design Festival and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Empowering Creativity and Innovation

In 2001, with a vision to transform Sri Lanka’s creative landscape, the Academy of Design (AOD) embarked on a journey that would revolutionize the island’s approach to design. Starting from scratch, AOD has played a pioneering role in design education, becoming a catalyst for change by nurturing local talent and instilling innovative design thinking across multiple industries. Over the years, AOD’s impact has been profound, as it continues to shape Sri Lanka’s creative ecosystem, driving progress and innovation with each new initiative.

In partnership with the British Council in 2009, AOD introduced Sri Lanka to the concept of the creative industries and their immense potential to create jobs, generate wealth, and contribute significantly to the national economy. The same year, AOD launched the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) to fulfil the need for a globally relevant platform that could showcase the nation’s growing creative industries. SLDF became a meeting point for the world’s design community, drawing together designers, academics, sustainability experts, manufacturers, innovators, and thought leaders from around the globe.

With each edition, the Sri Lanka Design Festival grows in significance, offering a diverse program that includes expertly curated design exhibitions, dynamic fashion shows, thought-provoking industry conferences, engaging talks, hands-on workshops, immersive art viewings, and craft showcases. SLDF’s essence lies in its ability to bring together a multitude of creative minds to spark conversations, foster innovation, and cultivate a culture of sustainable business practices. As a result, the festival is now an unmissable event on the global creative calendar, a space where business, culture, and creative ideas converge to drive economic growth.

Now celebrating its 15th edition, SLDF 2024 is set to introduce AOD’s next ambitious initiative. As the driving force behind Sri Lanka’s creative industries, AOD is ready to amplify its collaborations across South Asia. In the coming decade, it aims to solidify its role as a key player in positioning Sri Lanka as the creative hub of the subcontinent. Through strategic partnerships and the creation of a distinctive regional design aesthetic, AOD’s goal is to elevate South Asian design on the global stage.

Despite facing numerous challenges in recent years, Sri Lanka has proven its resilience time and again. SLDF is more than just a celebration of design; it’s a tribute to the nation's enduring spirit and creativity. It is a powerful testament to the unbroken determination of a country that rises stronger with each challenge. This festival serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, symbolizing the power of creativity in driving progress and innovation.

Integral to the Sri Lanka Design Festival is the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka, a ground-breaking collaboration between Dimo and AOD. This prestigious event showcases the best of Sri Lankan fashion talent, offering designers a global stage to present their work. As part of this partnership, AOD has empowered emerging designers like Amesh Wijesekera, who went on to showcase his creations at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, capturing global attention and redefining the narrative of South Asian fashion.

For over two decades, AOD has nurtured and propelled Sri Lankan fashion talent to international acclaim, winning numerous awards and accolades.

The next phase of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will continue to push the boundaries of fashion innovation, supporting both AOD and the Sri Lanka Design Festival in their shared mission to transform Sri Lanka into a creative powerhouse of South Asia.

As Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment in its journey, AOD and its initiatives like SLDF and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week are leading the charge toward a brighter, more creative future. These events are not just platforms; they are movements that celebrate the unique blend of resilience, innovation, and creativity that define the nation.