The Colombo Hippie Market - Spreading the vibes of love, peace and entrepreneurship

Under the shade of the huge centuries old Nuga tree in the premises of the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, hundreds of people came to the inaugural Colombo Hippie Market. They came with flowers in their hair, flowing tie dye batik dresses, and snazzy clothes all of which added to the hippie vibe.

 

Organised by Avrille de Valliere, the event attracted people of ages in addition to young entrepreneurs who were keen to display their wares. Food stalls, handmade cards, jewellery and clothing stalls were the biggest attractions.

Natasha Yatawara of the Sari Connection, a project where war widows from Jaffna and Mulathivu are given secondhand sarees which they upcycle into trendy clothes sold in Colombo said the Hippie Market was a great concept as it attracted a great range of people.

Young Salmah Rasheed, a university student who is using her artistic talents to create paintings with inspirational quotes used the Hippie Market to launch her brand Kaleidascope. 3D affordable art is how she describes her creations. A quirky product by noon Salmah was lamenting that she should have brought more of her creations to sell as her work was proving popular.

Upmarket jewellery designer Deidre de Livera’s Aganaa products were a big hit with its semi precious stones and beautiful designs attracting many customers. “The Hippie Market is a great concept, I only do pop up stores and I thought I would try the Hippe Market and it has been great so far” said Diedre.

C as Chandani Rajaratnam prefers to be known also used the Hippie Market to relaunch her brand Shilpi which consisted of handmade cards, handpainted  earthenware  and granite stones painted in pretty designs using dot art.

Shivanthi Mahanama a budding entrepreneur whose brand Spaces contained a range of beautiful cushion covers and rugs with quirky bilingual sayings also proved to be a popular vendor.

Using the leftover wood from her dad’s wood cutting workshop to create functional and decorative products Sasika Pasankumari was at the Hippie Market to introduce her brand Artifacts to new people. Wooden plates, dishes and bowls and colourful wooden dolls are her specialty which she creates from whatever offcuts of wood her father discards.

Showcasing her new range of batik sportswear from her label Xodus Tatiana said that her new range of batik wear was proving very popular and events like this were great for young people to promote their merchandise.

Adding a totally authentic hippie vibe to the event was “Voksie” the snazzily decorated Volkenwagon belonging to Hangover Hostels who were there to promote their chain of hostels.

A great selection of  performers played a brilliant set of live music throughout the day adding to the totally chillout ambiance of the first ever Colombo Hippie Market which proved to be a great success.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Photos by Alice Luker