SLDF: Aiming to take local design to global markets | Print Edition
By Anoushka Jayasuriya
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Ashleen’s (inset) tackle streetwear with saree material
Ashleen Adikari, an alumnus of the Academy of Design having studied Style Advertising and marketing launched her streetwear model ‘Sita’ final yr. One of many designers participating on this yr’s Sri Lanka Design Competition, Ashleen says her model is about redefining the ideology of what it means to be a South Asian girl – “It’s about breaking the boundaries to have fun ladies, gender and sexuality on a spectrum.”
Her assortment makes use of saree materials which have been combined and matched and crafted into up to date streetwear items. Though she was sure that she needed to include saree supplies into her assortment this yr, she took a while to think about what sort of message she would relay by way of her work. “As many uncertainties and the instability within the nation challenged me emotionally, I additionally skilled and noticed the struggles of the day-to-day distributors from whom I’d supply my materials. Taking this into context, I needed to doc Sri Lanka 
as what it actually is; a mysterious, unique and exquisite nation by documenting {the marketplace} in Pettah, its tradition and our folks.” Her assortment is made fully out of materials and trims which have been gathered and handmade domestically.
The theme for the Sri Lanka Design Competition that takes place from December 2 to 4 is ‘Panoramically new, panoramically native design lokayak’. Offered by the Academy of Design since 2009, the SLDF this yr contains a line-up of exhibitions, exhibits, talks on design, eco-social innovation, circularity and sustainability, knowledge-sharing classes, design markets, performances and extra.
Ashleen provides that she is thrilled about this yr’s theme. “I imagine there’s a sure authenticity when a product is produced domestically. It’s embedded with the craftsmanship and data that’s particular to every nation. Due to this fact, when it’s introduced on a global platform, the gathering speaks volumes.”
The Mercedes-Benz Style Week Sri Lanka in addition to the Academy of Design Grad Exhibition shall be two key occasions of SLDF 2022.
Nawoda’s (inset) design with 3D textured textiles
Showcasing the works of over 100 regional designers, enterprise house owners, and organisations who’ve been impacted by financial hardship, SLDF aspires to advertise a stronger involvement of Sri Lanka’s artistic sectors bringing their imaginative and prescient to a global platform; connecting thrilling options, concepts, and processes which can be domestically primarily based but related to audiences everywhere in the world.
Nawoda Bandara, a final-year Style Designing and Textiles scholar from the Academy of Design shall be taking part within the occasion for the primary time. “No Guidelines to Comply with” her assortment is centred on sustainable luxurious womenswear taking inspiration from her private experiences of getting goals with vivid visuals reminiscent of shifting and altering geometric patterns. Her assortment was accomplished by incorporating 3D textured textiles and a double weaving handloom method, a way she describes as each very difficult to perform and unusual in Sri Lanka.
Nawoda credit Zaha Hadid, the Iraqi-British architect, artist and designer, as one in all her inspirations together with postmodern structure. Her assortment utilises high-quality waste materials and yarns in addition to with dead-stock knitted collars, unravelling the yarns to create handloom, crochet, and knitted material, thus linking sustainability with native crafts.
“I imagine that it is very important showcase domestically made designs on a global stage as a result of the world continues to be not conscious of the hidden crafts and creativity within the bloodline of heritage style in Sri Lanka,” Nawoda says.
The pageant in a hybrid format has the occasions happening on the Colombo Innovation Tower, 477, R. A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 04, additionally obtainable on-line for viewers. For extra data go to the SLDF web site and register on-line for the pageant and its occasions on
www.srilankadesignfestival.lk
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