Fashion Bug Archives

October 23, 2023

Fashion Bug, a leading fashion retail brand in Sri Lanka, recently concluded its all-island children’s art competition, Roo Siththam 2023 for the 13th consecutive year. Held at the Bishops College Auditorium, the spectacular award ceremony was graced by many distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mr. Chandana Sooriyabandara, and Guests of Honour Mr. Farveez Maharoof and Dr. Hayeshika Fernando. The ceremony saw the presence of over 700 attendees, with over 250 enthusiastic school children among them.

The theme of Roo Siththam 2023 was “My world, through my eyes,” which inspired students from schools across the country to submit their creative entries. The submissions, a staggering 81,246 in number, spanned three age categories — 7 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, and 13 to 16 years. The young artists poured their hearts and souls into their creations, showcasing their unique perspectives on the world.

Roo Siththam 2023 competition was carried out with the approval and supervision of the Ministry of Education, guaranteeing the utmost credibility and integrity of the event. The judging panel consisted of prominent lecturers from the University of Visual and Performing Arts, ensuring that the evaluation process was both fair and expertly conducted. Out of the vast pool of talent, a total of 272 winners emerged, receiving accolades and recognition for their exceptional artwork.

In the 07-09 years age category, E. Lakira Sawen Edirisinghe, a student from Mayurapadha College in Mawanella was claimed the winner while in the 10-12 years age group, W. A. N. Hasarel Perera, hailing from De Mazenod College in Kandana, emerged as the winner. In the fiercely competitive 13-16 years age category, Anjali Nimasha Karunawardhana, a student from Mahamaya Girls College in Kandy was recognized as the winner. These young individuals have demonstrated their talent and have earned their positions as the best in their age categories.

These talented young artists were not only presented with tablets, bicycles, and gift vouchers as tokens of appreciation but also received a personalized umbrella featuring their own artwork. Furthermore, all shortlisted participants were awarded medals, certificates, and gifts to acknowledge their creative efforts.

Initiated in 2011, with the objective of identifying the creative talents of school children, Roo Siththam is the signature annual event pertaining to Fashion Bug’s social sustainability platform Sisu Dirimaga, which is dedicated to improving the education of students in Sri Lanka. In the words of Shabier Subian, Chief Executive Officer of Fashion Bug, “Fashion Bug remains committed to supporting and nurturing the creative talents of the next generation. Roo Siththam is a platform that empowers young artists to showcase their unique perspectives, and we are delighted to be part of their artistic journey.”

For more information, visit www.fashionbug.lk.

December 5, 2022

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retailers with over 16 outlets island-wide, rebranded and relaunched their Katubedda outlet, on 26th November 2022 amidst customers and well wishers.

Fashion Bug Katubedda, that has been a landmark in Moratuwa for more than 15 years is now rebranded ‘Fashion Bug Moratuwa’ with a refreshed new look, bringing a bigger and better shopping experience to the discerning customers who live in and around Moratuwa.

The intimate breakfast event was graced by some of the brand’s most loyal customers, partners, brand ambassadors, Chief Guest- Mr. Imtiaz Buhardeen, Chairman- Almas Holdings as well as artists Dinakshi Priysad and Saranaga Disasekara. The celebrations commenced with the distinguished guests cutting the ribbon to open the outlet and lighting the oil lamp, followed by a brief preview of Fashion Bug’s latest men’s and women’s lineups, designed especially for the Christmas Season.

Fashion Bug- Moratuwa has been through a complete revamp since August 2022; the store that previously encompassed close to 10,000 square feet now boasts of 15,000 square feet of retail space where Fashion Bug offers a wide range of styles for women, men as well as children across all ages. Home & Living area of the store has been allocated an extensive space with a range of kitchenware, serveware, home décor, bed and bath items that are ideal for everyday use as well as gifting. The ‘Back-to- School’ section also has been given an extended space to stock a wide variety of school bags, bottles, art supplies, stationery and a brand new nook for fiction and nonfiction books for kids of all ages. These new additions truly make Fashion Bug Moratuwa a ‘one -stop- fashion and lifestyle destination’ for the people of Moratuwa and its suburbs.

‘Fashion Bug- Katubedda’ is one of our very first stores and we are very much a part of this community. Some of our most loyal customers hail from the Moratuwa area, through this branch. This is why we felt that it was important for us to broad-base ourselves as Fashion Bug- Moratuwa’, commented Shabier Subian- CEO of Fashion Bug Private Limited.

‘Project Fashion Bug – Moratuwa is not just another store revamp for us. It’s not just a facelift. We have completely overhauled the interior of the store, giving it a more contemporary, modern vibe. The layout has been changed to present the ranges to the customer with more clarity, making the shopping experience as seamless as possible’, said Mr. Dinesh Ekanayake- DGM- Fashion Bug Private Limited.

‘Fashion Bug is a household brand that needs no introduction. There’s so much trust that comes with a brand that’s been around for so long. As important as legacy is for a brand, it is also vital that we evolve to be more relatable to the younger consumer. We are introducing more and more stylish ranges along with our staples, we are embracing trends, and we are striving to be more and more fashion-forward. Our store re vamps too, are a big part of this change’ said Nadisha Wickramathilake- Head of Marketing.

Fashion Bug was founded in 1994 in Bandarawela with a 7 member team, the first shop being a mere 500 square feet in Bandarawela town. The brainchild of founders Mr. Rizal and Ashan Subian, today it has evolved into a household brand that boasts of 16 outlets island-wide. Fashion Bug currently numbers over 1000 Sri Lankan men and women amongst its staff, who hail from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Fashion Bug prides itself in being a truly Sri Lankan Fashion retailer that houses home-grown brands that are designed independently by Fashion Bug and manufactured here in Sri Lankan via small and medium scale factories.

April 19, 2021

Celebrating 125 years of cricketing legacy of both institutions, the arrangements for the annual cricket encounter between St. Benedict’s College and Wesley College are underway. The 2-day encounter will be played for the Cartman Cup on the 23^rd and 24^th of April 2021. The 50 over match for the Luke Gregory Shield is scheduled for the 8^th of May 2021. The Cartman Cup is in memory of the former Principal of Wesley College, Rev. James Cartman while the Luke Gregory Shield is in memory of its namesake, former Director of St. Benedict’s College, Rev. Bro. Luke Gregory FSC.

Fashion Bug’s Men’s Sportswear Brand, JOBBS ACTIVE has announced their role as the Official Clothing Partner for the encounter. The official handing over of the sponsorship took place at a press conference held on the 7^th of April 2021, at the Hilton Colombo.

JOBBS ACTIVE, introduced in 2019, is a collection of fashionable, comfortable, flexible, durable and high quality sports wear and accessories for men. True to their role as one of the leading clothing networks in Colombo, Fashion Bug recognized the growing trend of health consciousness among the youth of Sri Lanka and introduced their own active wear collection. This was done to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. Fashion Bug decided to sponsor the cricket encounter with the aim of supporting sports and the sporting lifestyle.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug stated, “Cricket is a culture in Sri Lanka that is inculcated in youth from the time they’re in school and sometimes before. As a brand that prioritizes the needs of the youth of our country, we take great pride in being the Official Clothing Partner for this inaugural cricket encounter.”

Keeping with the present regulations, the matches will have limited or no crowd participation. However, the Bens-Wesley Joint Committee has made arrangements to Live Telecast the matches through TV1 of MTV Channel Pvt. Ltd as well as at through Quadrangle, a popular digital platform. As this is the inaugural trophy encounter, the Joint Organizing Committee together with the schools will make arrangements so that students, past and present are able to watch the games and revel in the spirit from anywhere in the world.

March 23, 2021

Kick-starting Avurudu celebrations, Fashion Bug introduces a new look for their Maharagama branch, opening the newly refurbished branch to the public on 20^th March 2021. As one of their main branches with a large, loyal client base, Fashion Bug’s decision to surprise their customers with a brand new look is eagerly awaited.

Gracing the celebration of Fashion Bug’s new look were Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment as Chief Guest, celebrity guest Geethma Bandara and guests of honor, partners, suppliers and customers.

Located at 126, High Level Road, Maharagama, Fashion Bug is one of the more popular fashion destinations in Maharagama. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Fashion Bug is ushering in a new look for Maharagama with this face lift of the branch as well as a new experience in shopping with Fashion Bug. Their undeniable journey of changing lifestyles is evidenced in their refurbishment of the Maharagama branch to include more fashion choice, more comfort and space while shopping to provide the optimum shopping experience for their customers.

With a wide range of clothing opportunities for ladies, gents and kids, for any occasion, be it office apparel, casual, party or sportswear, Fashion Bug has something new for everyone. A completely novel section has been added to the wide choice that Fashion Bug offers with school uniforms, school bags and a large range of stationary allowing customers to shop for all ‘Back to School’ necessities. Coupled with an array of accessories, gift items, household and lifestyle decorations, it is the perfect destination for all things fashionable, where one can experience a complete lifestyle shopping destination.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shabier Subian – Chief Executive Officer of Fashion Bug stated, “It’s time for something new! It’s no secret that due to unprecedented events, many of our clients seek something to add a little brightness and color in their lives. Our customers have always been our priority. Therefore, our new promise to our customers, is ‘Something New, Every day’. Let us be your silver lining, with something new for everyone, available every day at the closest Fashion Bug outlet to you. What better time to start this other than the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, where Fashion Bug can give you something new for the season? It’s a new step for Fashion Bug as we navigate the unexpected challenges we have experienced over the past couple of years. At the end of the day, our goal is to give the very best to our customers and live up to their standards as well as our own.”

Fueled by the drive to cater to the choices of their customers, Fashion Bug now presents – Something New, Every Day! A variety of new choices for your selection.

February 3, 2021

For three consecutive years, Fashion Bug has been recognized as one of the best places to be employed at, winning the Great Place to Work Award in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Not resting on its laurels, the organization has gone on to win the Asia’s Best Work Place, the only local fashion retailer to do so. In addition, the organization was also presented an Award for excellence in Large Enterprises in Sri Lanka 2020, Best Workplaces for Millennials award 2020 and Best Workplaces for Women 2019. The company also won an Award for Excellence in the Large Enterprise Category in 2020, and was placed amongst the Top 40 companies in Sri Lanka for the year.

At Fashion Bug, the management believes in nurturing and empowering their employees to bring out the best in them. Making various investments in learning and development in order to equip their employees with the right tools, the company ensures that their employees can perform their jobs to the best standards in a way that is mutually beneficial to the organization and the employee.

This year Fashion Bug was honored with the prestigious Asia’s Best Workplace Award, positioning the company at rank #7 amongst large enterprises in the Asian region. Being the only fashion retailer in Asia to have received this award, the company credits this to their awareness of what is happening in the corporate sector both locally and internationally, while also focusing on what other companies are doing in terms of best HR practices.

Aqeill Subian, Director at Fashion Bug, commenting on receiving this award said, “The team at Fashion Bug consistently focus on implementing the best practices possible. It is a great accomplishment to be ranked as the 7^th best place to work in Asia, competing with large enterprises in the region. To be told that we are the only fashion retailer in this category to win this year is definitely an enriching experience. We are proud to be a truly Sri Lankan brand to be recognized internationally. The moral boost from this coming out of the COVID pandemic is phenomenal, and rest assured we will work harder to bring pride to our organisation and the nation to be amongst the world’s best places to work”

Fashion Bug is also a company that is run by millennials and therefore it is a place that understands what the current generation wants from their place of work. While it is a difficult job to toe the line between freedom for their employees and getting the job done, Fashion Bug maintains a good balance between the two, all tied together by a respect for their employees and ensuring that their goals are all aligned with the goals of the organization. It is for this reason that the company was also awarded the Best Workplaces for Millennials Award 2020.

The secret to the company’s success comes from their workplace culture, which believes in providing inspiration at all levels. The management are determined to make a special place for people to work, ensuring that their organization is a place that provides equal opportunities across tiers irrespective of race, religion, creed or gender. This has resulted in the creation of one of their employee inspiration campaigns ‘One vision – Many cultures – One Place’. The intention of this initiative is to bring together their employees with a passion to achieve the organization’s mission and vision.

However, the company’s initiatives don’t end there, as the company has many others that ensure that Fashion Bug is one of the most employee-friendly places to work. The organization believes in the value of open communication, which is a key component of their culture, work practices and staff engagement, as the company is always open to hearing what anyone has to say, keeping all channels open – a key element of their success. Fashion Bug also maintains a flexible and overall friendly working culture, which shows all their employees that they are a key member of the company’s success and ensures that they are all seen as individual people rather than just staff. As one of the largest enterprises in Sri Lanka, ranked at #7 and having received an Award for Excellence in this category, it is important that the organization remains open to changes and new ideas which could improve their processes to more productive levels, seeing their staff as contributors and collaborators to the company’s growth, rather than just expecting them to do what their job title entails.

The Fashion Bug management is built in a way that encourages and provides opportunities for their staff to grow whenever possible, which explains why Fashion Bug is among the Top 40 companies in Sri Lanka for the year 2020. Everyone is rewarded and compensated according to their performance and the amount of work they put in. Accordingly, the management launched a staff motivation campaign with the titles of Yesterday and Today, showcasing their employees who have grown alongside the organization. The company also offers employees flexible work arrangements for study and career development on an individual case basis, encouraging the growth of their employees both in their personal life and work. This extends to their focus on learning and development, which not only focuses on development for their employee’s career but also for their personal goals as well, ensuring holistic growth.

Overall, Fashion Bug is one of the most forward-looking companies in business today, recognizing the value of the employee and balancing their employee-centric approach with their sales. With endless opportunities to grow and expand in both professional and personal aspects, Fashion Bug is one of the best places for anyone to work, as everyone is treated with equal respect and given the same opportunity while also being able to share their ideas and thoughts to contribute to the growth of the company.

February 1, 2021

‘Bug Friday’, the fashionable response to Black Friday carried out by leading fashion retail brand Fashion Bug, won Silver at the SLIM Digis 2.0 held recently, under the Retail (Fashion/ Consumer Electronics) Online & Offline category. Fashion Bug along with Omnicom Media Group Sri Lanka, was able to secure their place among the winners at this year’s SLIM Digis with their innovative digital marketing campaign.

The objective of the campaign was to transform the existing cash-on-delivery only website into a fully integrated e-commerce platform, while increasing average daily transactions by 150%.

Understanding the general curiosity of the target audience of urbanist millennials and their interest in major online shopping events, and giving the popular ‘Black Friday’ sales a twist, ‘Bug Friday’ was envisioned. The proposed campaign focused on piquing the interest of the audience with a series of teasers that were shareable across platforms. By tasking affiliates to conduct walk-throughs on the ease of use of the site, it ensured that the audience were able to navigate the online pages with minimal obstacles.

Through this multi-faceted approach, Fashion Bug was able to reach over 7 million impressions, with more than 19,000 visits to the new and improved website. Online sales hit a record high in December as it marked the highest ever achieved in Fashion Bug’s online sales history.

Commenting on the recognition of their efforts, Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug, said “To win an award in this category is something that we, at Fashion Bug take pride in, as a team. Having been nominated at the inaugural SLIM Digis, to have successfully obtained the Silver Prize for this category is truly a great moment for us. We strive to keep our customers intrigued and deliver on our promises of providing them with the very best shopping experiences, now online as well as offline.”

“I am very proud of the consistent performance of my team. Being the second year in a row that we have been nominated at the SLIM Digis and managing to seal the deal with a Silver Prize this year indicates that we’re going from strength to strength. With e-commerce on the rise locally, due to the current pandemic, it’s great that we were recognized for our creative efforts and success in driving online sales for our digital clients.”, stated Jason Wijesuriya, Digital & Business Director of Omnicom Media Group Sri Lanka.

January 28, 2021

Marks the second consecutive year in being recognized.

Colombo, 27 January 2021:

‘Bug Friday’, the fashionable response to Black Friday carried out by leading fashion retail brand Fashion Bug, won Silver at the SLIM Digis 2.0 held recently, under the Retail (Fashion/ Consumer Electronics) Online & Offline category. Fashion Bug along with Omnicom Media Group Sri Lanka, was able to secure their place among the winners at this year’s SLIM Digis with their innovative digital marketing campaign.

The objective of the campaign was to transform the existing cash-on-delivery only website into a fully integrated e-commerce platform, while increasing average daily transactions by 150%.

Understanding the general curiosity of the target audience of urbanist millennials and their interest in major online shopping events, and giving the popular ‘Black Friday’ sales a twist, ‘Bug Friday’ was envisioned. The proposed campaign focused on piquing the interest of the audience with a series of teasers that were shareable across platforms. By tasking affiliates to conduct walk-throughs on the ease of use of the site, it ensured that the audience were able to navigate the online pages with minimal obstacles.

Through this multi-faceted approach, Fashion Bug was able to reach over 7 million impressions, with more than 19,000 visits to the new and improved website. Online sales hit a record high in December as it marked the highest ever achieved in Fashion Bug’s online sales history.

Commenting on the recognition of their efforts, Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug, said “To win an award in this category is something that we, at Fashion Bug take pride in, as a team. We are actively transforming the brand, which was predominantly offline retail, to one that now can be experienced online as well. Having been nominated at the inaugural SLIM Digis previously, to have successfully obtained the Silver Award for this category is truly a great moment for us. We strive to keep our customers intrigued and deliver on our promises of providing them with the very best shopping experiences, both online as well as offline.”

“I am very proud of the consistent performance of my team. Being the second year in a row that we have made our mark at the SLIM Digis and managing to seal the deal with a Silver Prize this year indicates that we’re going from strength to strength. With e-commerce on the rise locally, due to the current pandemic, it’s great that we were recognized for our creative efforts and success in driving online sales for our digital clients.”, stated Jason Wijesuriya, Digital & Business Director of Omnicom Media Group Sri Lanka.

December 30, 2020

The efforts of Fashion Bug and its contribution to cultivating and showcasing the artistic talents of the youth of Sri Lanka through the annual all island art competition, Roo Siththam, were recognized by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa recently. An award of appreciation for Roo Siththam was awarded to Fashion Bug at the Parliament of Sri Lanka recently.

The Sisu Dirimaga arm is the key CSR platform of Fashion Bug. Roo Siththam is one of the main events that is carried out under this platform, initiated in 2011, with the objective of identifying the creative talents of school children. It is dedicated to improving the education of students in Sri Lanka. A specific category for children with special needs was introduced in 2017, the entries of which are judged by teachers from the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind, Ratmalana.

Fashion Bug developed its own scholarship program as part of its signature CSR initiative and has even launched a program focusing on career guidance for students. Aiming to conduct career guidance programs covering 100,000 students, they have conducted a series of island wide career guidance workshops through collaborations with the Provincial Education Offices for students who are doing the Advanced Level examinations and similar career guidance programs were conducted to advise O/L students on important exam and study techniques.

These initiatives indicate the importance that Fashion Bug places on assisting students and the younger generation through their CSR platform, Sisu Dirigama and by extension, Roo Siththam.

Commenting on the recognition of their efforts, Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug, said, “It is well known that we at Fashion Bug place great value on our CSR initiatives. It is our responsibility to ensure that we do our best to improve the lifestyles of our customers, as is part of our Mission. We believe that the children of our country should be prioritized and nurtured, which is why we developed the Sisu Dirimaga initiative. We are deeply grateful to Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa for recognizing the value of this initiative and will strive to continue focussing our efforts on uplifting the youth of Sri Lanka.”

October 22, 2020

Continuing its valuable social service in renovating hospitals that are in much need of attention, Fashion Bug recently refurbished the OPD of the Badalkumbura Base Hospital in Monaragala District. This is a one of the series of projects carried out by the pioneer fashion retail brand in commemoration of its 25^th anniversary.

Badalkumbura is another town that represents the microcosm of Sri Lanka, where one finds people of all religious faiths and cultures living together in harmony. The basic medical need of this area is fulfilled by the base hospital, which treats an average of 250 patients daily through its OPD. Dr. Mrs. Kanchana Abeywickrama – DMO of Badalkumbura Base Hospital stated that the Out Patient Department set a record in consulting the highest number of patients by one doctor in the Uva Province.

“Badalkumbura also carries an emotional connect with Fashion Bug,” expressed Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug. “We have a deep rooted connection with Badalkumbura because it is home to a number of staff members who have been working with us since the very first Fashion Bug showroom opening in Bandarawela in 1994. We believe that as a homegrown brand, it is our responsibility to give back as much as we can to the society, and especially to people and places who share roots with us,” he added.

The handover ceremony of the renovated OPD was held early September, with the presence of the hospital staff, officials from Fashion Bug as well as well-wishers from Badalkumbura town. Some elders in the community, well-wishers along with a few staff members who worked with the company since its inception were specially recognized at the event.

Badalkumbura resonates a central part of Sri Lanka with its occupants who live alongside each other going beyond racial boundaries, and where traditions and cultures are celebrated with mutual understanding. Fashion Bug emulates similar values in creating its corporate culture, which has been the brand’s strength for over two decades.

September 26, 2020

Continuing its valuable social service in renovating hospitals that are in much need of attention, Fashion Bug recently refurbished the OPD of the Badalkumbura Base Hospital in Monaragala District. This is a one of the series of projects carried out by the pioneer fashion retail brand in commemoration of its 25^th anniversary.

Badalkumbura is another town that represents the microcosm of Sri Lanka, where one finds people of all religious faiths and cultures living together in harmony. The basic medical need of this area is fulfilled by the base hospital, which treats an average of 250 patients daily through its OPD. Dr. Mrs. Kanchana Abeywickrama – DMO of Badalkumbura Base Hospital stated that the Out Patient Department set a record in consulting the highest number of patients by one doctor in the Uva Province.

“Badalkumbura also carries an emotional connect with Fashion Bug,” expressed Shabier Subian, CEO of Fashion Bug. “We have a deep rooted connection with Badalkumbura because it is home to a number of staff members who have been working with us since the very first Fashion Bug showroom opening in Bandarawela in 1994. We believe that as a homegrown brand, it is our responsibility to give back as much as we can to the society, and especially to people and places who share roots with us,” he added.

The handover ceremony of the renovated OPD was held early September, with the presence of the hospital staff, officials from Fashion Bug as well as well-wishers from Badalkumbura town. Some elders in the community, well-wishers along with a few staff members who worked with the company since its inception were specially recognized at the event.

Badalkumbura resonates a central part of Sri Lanka with its occupants who live alongside each other going beyond racial boundaries, and where traditions and cultures are celebrated with mutual understanding. Fashion Bug emulates similar values in creating its corporate culture, which has been the brand’s strength for over two decades.

Fashion Bug ‘Roo Siththam 2023’ concludes a resounding success

Ayubowan Moratuwa ! Fashion Bug Brings a Bigger and Better Fashion Experience to Moratuwa

Fashion Bug’s JOBBS ACTIVE sponsors Inaugural Bens-Wesley Cricket Encounter

Fashion Bug brings Something New to Maharagama

Fashion Bug – the only Fashion Retailer to win Asia’s Best Workplace

Omnicom Media Group & Fashion Bug win for the 2nd consecutive year at SLIM Digis

Omnicom Media Group & Fashion Bug secure a Silver Win at SLIM Digis

Fashion Bug’s Roo Siththam appreciated for valuable service to community

Fashion Bug refurbishes the OPD at Badalkumbura Base Hospital in Monaragala.

Fashion Bug refurbishes the OPD at Badalkumbura Base Hospital in Monaragala.