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.