The boundless imagination of young designers was revealed at Texstyle 2018, the exhibition of fashion design students of the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Students shared details with Youth Observer about fashion concepts which had inspired them and their journey in the world of fashion design.
“The fashion design degree at the Open University of Sri Lanka is a four year degree program which is conducted under the open and distance learning mode where the degree program is affordable and flexible for the students” Fashion Design Lecturer at the Open University, Sri Lanka Himasha Gunasekara, remarked. Although it is challenging to offer a fashion design degree program under such circumstances, the successful completion of the exhibition was an ideal example for the effective response to the challenge by the Open University staff. Collections presented at the exhibition revealed classical and modern designs along with high tech and low techniques of fashion design.
Samanmali Rathnayake groups her collection of bridal wear under the concept of ‘imagination’ inspired by the motifs of the Taj Mahal. The beauty of her collection is enhanced sophisticated crocheting techniques. Crocheting helps to relive mental stress whilst generating a good income for the creator. Through her collection, she is determined to empower the underprivileged housewives and give them a means to fight against financial difficulties and depression. Samanmali’s future dream is to launch her own brand of crochet bridal wear.
Bhanu Wanniarachchi clarifies her fashion concept ‘Transhumanism’ as the combination of human and technology. The collection is inspired by cyborg art which emphasizes the ability of humans to overcome physical and mental limitations using technology. Bhanu desires to help create a Sri Lankan fashion environment where conceptual and modern fashion is appreciated.
Jinani Tathsara’s ‘Rave Party Wear’ collection is inspired by the rave festival held in Mexico. The collection uses glow in the dark concept where fibre optic lighting techniques are used to illuminate the design. The concept is an effort to raise awareness on the detrimental effects of drug usage. Jinani prefers to work under a fashion designer to gain experience and start her own fashion label in the future.
Sajani Thalangama said her concept is Active Wear which is inspired by the ‘ Angampora’ fighters. The collection includes engineered garments to compress important pressure points of the human body. Laser cutting, bonding, strappy cutting, flock printing and high build silicon printing has been used as techniques to design the garments. Primary intention of the collection is to express the importance of doing workouts for the health and fitness of young adults in Sri Lanka.
Traditional Transit is a collection of casual women’s wear presented by G.L.B.Manawika, which is inspired by the cell structure of the bamboo tree. It is beautified by needle punch embroidery technique. Her dream is to create her own fashion label in the future.
Sarala Senanayake has been inspired by the Concept of Empowerment where the focus is on increasing confidence. Unique exotic prints and laser cut details add value to the power dressing collection which targets corporate women. ‘Sarala’ is dedicated to improve her technical knowledge and launch her own fashion brand.
Turning a miserable rainy day into a pleasant day for ladies is the motivation behind the fashion collection of Yasara Somathilake. The women’s fashionable rainwear collection is inspired by the Swallow where the bird’s body, feathers, legs and body movements are explored and incorporated into the designs.
Fabric marbling using eco friendly paints on natural silk fabrics along with recycled embellishments is used by Sasini Samaranayaka for the design concept Sustainable Couture.
The speciality of the project is providing clothes with a luxury look through the use of eco friendly material. She dreams of working for the brand Dolce and Gabbana in the future.
Rashmika Hathurusinghe is inspired by the cold coral reef in Scottish waters for her collection. She aims to raise awareness on protecting the coral reef through her garments which use waste material to minimise waste addition to water.
The Street Wear Collection is based on the concept live to love and is created by using embellishment techniques. Rashmika has taken the first step of her future plans by launching her own brand ‘Rashi’ which will be a mixed collection of evening wear and casual wear.
Bhashini Gothatuwa has created her ‘Gen-Z’ collection based on street art. She has used the colour chucking techniques for her designs. These waterproof garments are created for hiking in search of relaxation away from daily pressures. Bhashini likes to work on surface designs and decorations in the future.
‘Creative femininity through body invisibility’ is the concept chosen by Maddumage Wageesha for her designs. The red carpet dresses of this collection are inspired by the head wrap of South Africa. This collection introduces knotting techniques to be paired with the existing draping techniques which aim to reveal the great power of artistic concealing.
Isha Perera has based her collection on the concept Fourth Industrial Revolution Garments where the entire collection is enriched with 3D printed elements, integrated with normal textiles. The 3D prints are made from biodegradable plastic filaments which are more flexible and durable enough to be worn and washed. Concept designs are developed by using rigid origami and interloped techniques. Isha hopes to introduce new fashion designs to Sri Lanka in the future by using the 3D printing technique.
Dilini de Alwis has presented the ‘A.I 2030’ collection inspired by shapes, lines and body features of the characters in the Ex-Machina movie which shows the future of robots. The collection presents perfect fit designs which are comfortable and allow ease of movements. Gathering techniques, futuristic glittering and metallic features have given an innovative and dazzling look to the collection. Dilini plans to develop her evening wear brand “Bliss Boutique” in the future.
Sachithi Rajasooriya has designed her collection mainly for the benefit of people with vitiligo skin disease. This is a concept derived from the usage of organic clothing as a skin covering and as an appearance enhancer. The collection offers separable and detachable sun covering clothing using creative pattern making with natural fabrics to enhance their lives and dressing styles. In the future, Sachithi hopes to promote special clothes among people with vitiligo skin disease and launch her own children’s wear brand.
(Pics courtesy - Open University of Sri Lanka)
