Eleven young designers showcase at the Emerging Designer showcase of Colombo Fashion Week

Colombo Fashion Week 2024, presented by Mastercard, returns March 6th-9th,  showcasing the next generation of Sri Lankan fashion talent. From a shortlist of 22 designers, 11 rising Sri Lankan designers have made it to the final round – Gayanth  Karunaratne, Devapriya Halwala, Prathibha Liyanarachchi, Mevini Amarasinghe,  Navodya Janith, Maleesha Perera, Akash Paranavitharana, Chihiro Fernando, Aysha  Faizer, and Arsath Furkhan will unveil their collections alongside international emerging  designer Giada Zanotti. Since 2003, Colombo Fashion Week has played a pivotal role in reviving and propelling  Sri Lanka's fashion industry. From humble beginnings featuring a handful of designers,  it has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem embracing sustainability and empowering  young talent. More than 80% of today's leading Sri Lankan designers are the product of  Colombo Fashion Week’s development system, a testament to the event’s lasting  impact.  

“This is a very exciting part of CFW, looking at new talent and then taking them through  the journey of development. This season is quite encouraging from a new talent  perspective as a strong number of emerging designers have applied. We look forward  to an exciting season” says Fazeena Rajabdeen CEO/ Director of Colombo Fashion  Week. In addition to the Emerging Designers, this edition will showcase international designers  from Italy, England, Bangladesh, and India including – Samant Chauhan, Payal Pratap,  Manoviraj Khosla, Afsana Ferdousi, Charlotte Allen, Abraham and Thakore who will  showcase along prominent Sri Lankan designers such as Lovi Ceylon, Buddhi Batiks,  Amilani Perera, Aslam Hussein, Limak by Kamil, La Pard, Ayesh Wickramaratne,  Charini Suriyage, and Fouzul Hameed. 

Celebrating Fashion in Colombo 

This year with the focus on promoting Colombo as an attractive destination, Colombo  Fashion Week goes beyond the runway, transforming Colombo into a vibrant tapestry of  style, showcasing the best of Sri Lankan and international design and fusing it with the  unmatched charm of Colombo. The event features intimate shows, food, and fashion  events scattered across three host hotels and iconic landmarks, showcasing both  established and emerging design talents. This unique format allows guests to  experience the city's vibrant spirit while immersing themselves in stunning fashion. 

Strong Partnerships Fueling Growth

Colombo Fashion Week's success stems from its collaborations with key partners.  Mastercard, the esteemed title partner, shares Colombo Fashion Week's vision for  sustainable practices and nurturing SMEs, aligning with their commitment to digitize  sustainably by 2025. The event is further bolstered by renowned host hotels: Cinnamon Grand Colombo,  offering unparalleled elegance, grandeur and authentic Sri Lankan hospitality; Taj  Samudra, Colombo, offering unparalleled service and breathtaking ocean views; and  Galle Face Hotel, the only heritage hotel in Colombo, where colonial charm blends  seamlessly with modern amenities. These collaborations not only provide stunning  venues but also contribute to reviving the city's economy by attracting visitors and  generating tourism revenue. 

Joining Colombo Fashion Week's esteemed network are: Chupa Chups by Perfetti as  the lifestyle confectionary brand, NDB Wealth Management as the official wealth  management partner, Juniper Group offering a unique real estate and financial  investment portfolio, Vision Care as the eyewear partner, and Tressemme as the  haircare partner. British Council also joins us this year. Additionally, Ramani Fernando  Salons remains the official hair and make-up partner, while Hameedia continues their  longstanding affiliation with CFW. Finally, Wijeya Newspapers, Hardtalk, and Emerging  Media contribute to extensive media coverage, amplifying the event's reach.