MBFW 2024

The Designer’s Journey: Education’s Role

Rae

Kicking off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2024, ‘The Designer’s Journey: Education’s Role’ brought together two Academy of Design (AOD) alumni, Nimna Wickremasinghe and Sajee Mendes Seneviratne, to explore how education can shape diverse careers in fashion.  

Nimna, known for her playful, narrative-driven designs, highlighted her mission to create, ‘little distractions’ through characters and visual storytelling. Her work, which spans merchandise and digital media, invites viewers to interpret each piece uniquely. “A NIMNA piece is whatever you want it to be,” she explained, emphasizing the role of audience perception in completing her art.  

In contrast, Sajee’s focus lies in sustainable and cruelty-free fashion. Blending Sri Lankan artisan textiles with contemporary design, her creations champion ethical practices and environmental consciousness. “Fashion is more than aesthetics; it’s a responsibility,” she noted, urging future designers to prioritize mindful fashion.  

The session showcased the breadth of opportunities within the industry, from visual storytelling to sustainability, inspiring students to view fashion as a platform for creativity and social impact. This thought-provoking discussion set an empowering tone for the week ahead, highlighting the transformative power of design education in shaping both personal and global change.

Ever Thought About Working at a Museum? What it’s Like in a Career Bridging Art and Culture

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2024 offered more than just fashion with ‘Ever Thought About Working at a Museum?’ - an insightful session led by Kaumadi Jayaweera from the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Sri Lanka. This talk shed light on the exciting career opportunities in the museum sector, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the work involved in bridging art and culture. 

Kaumadi, Editorial Assistant at MMCA, shared her journey from studying English at the University of Colombo to working at Sri Lanka’s first public museum of modern and contemporary art. She highlighted the museum’s trilingual editorial and translation work, showcasing how her role brings diverse cultural narratives to life.  

Attendees gained valuable insights into the museum’s dynamic activities, from publishing research to curating exhibitions. Kaumadi emphasized the importance of collaboration, creativity, and community impact, inspiring students to consider museum work as a meaningful career path. For those passionate about art, culture, and education, this session offered a compelling perspective on how to merge these interests into a fulfilling profession. With practical advice and personal anecdotes, Kaumadi encouraged young professionals to explore the growing opportunities within Sri Lanka’s Museum sector.

Beyond the Frame: 
Design as a Multidisciplinary Tool

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2024 continued to inspire with its second session, ‘Beyond the Frame: Design as a Multidisciplinary Tool’, featuring AOD alumni Dulana Ethugala and Rae. The 30-minute talk delved into the evolving role of design in addressing complex cultural and social challenges, highlighting how visual communication can extend beyond traditional boundaries.  

Dulana, now a Design Strategist at AOD, shared his journey of using design to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural landscapes. From animation for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to book design and typography initiatives like Akuru Collective, his projects demonstrated design’s power as a bridge between communities.  

Rae, a multidisciplinary designer, emphasized her passion for experiential design. She illustrated how design influences psychological and physical experiences, sharing examples from her work in spatial design, branding, and storytelling.  

The session underscored how design education equips individuals with versatile skills, enabling them to tackle challenges across various industries. Both speakers emphasized the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary mindset, showing how design thinking transforms conventional approaches to problem-solving.  

For attendees, the talk offered valuable insights into the endless possibilities within the design field, reinforcing the idea that creativity knows no boundaries.

Shenali De Fonseka

Beyond Aesthetics: 
Interior Essentials

MBFW 2024: Day One, also featured, ‘Beyond Aesthetics: Interior Essentials’, an insightful session led by Shenali De Fonseka, Founder and Creative Director of Shenali De Fonseka Interior Design. With over a decade of experience, Shenali is known for her ability to create spaces that seamlessly balance beauty and functionality, and she shared her expertise with a captivated audience of aspiring designers. Shenali discussed the rapidly evolving interior design landscape, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and innovative materials that are shaping the future of the industry. She offered practical advice on building a personal brand and developing the technical skills necessary for success, stressing that great design is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that enhance daily living.  

The session also explored the transformative role of AI and digital tools, illustrating how technology can boost both efficiency and creativity. Shenali highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, an essential consideration for anyone entering the creative field.  For attendees, this session was both educational and inspiring, offering valuable insights into how designers can turn challenges into opportunities and create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.