HSBC CFW Resort Show 2014 presents Exclusive Workshop to Highlight Use of Textiles in Fashion

The Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) Resort edition, now a four-day event, will feature high profile local and international designers who will showcase the best of resort wear fashion. In addition to the ramp events that steal much of the public’s attention, this development based fashion project stays true to its vision of developing and uplifting Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry through its envied behind-the-scenes mentoring process and workshops held for prodigies in the fashion field who are yet to make their mark. This year’s workshop will focus on the theme titled, ‘The use of indigenous textiles in fashion’.

This year the HSBC CFW Resort Show workshop will be held on 4 October at the Grand Ballroom, Jetwing Blue, Negombo at 11:00 am. The workshop will introduce the audience to an overview of using indigenous textiles in fashion while speaking about how to incorporate sustainable materials into designs. An important aspect of producing these garments is the ability to work with local artisans without facing any challenges. Focusing on this, the workshop will aim to educate young designers and will help them enhance their collections. Furthermore, the workshop will highlight the modern techniques used in textiles. Renowned designers Harare, Abraham & Takore and Bibi Russell, will also be gracing the workshop to share their knowledge and experience.

The label Harare by Caroline Fuss is a brand that is sustainable, supports women and is truly one of a kind.  Harare is a New York based designer womenswear label, founded in 2013. Harare’s dynamic cultural heritage is woven into the brand just as much as the fabrics themselves. Harare is devoted to unearthing rich artisan culture from around the globe and celebrating it through exquisite high-end women’s fashion.

ABRAHAM & THAKORE signature design focuses on finely crafted, modern design drawn from rich traditions. The duo is one of India's most successful and respected design resources for fashion and accessories as well as textile products for the home. This design label was initially established by David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, graduates of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad who were later joined by Kevin Nigli, a design graduate of NIFT New Delhi. Global fashion icon and UNSECO Goodwill Ambassador Bibi Russell is known for her ecologically vibrant and exotic designs which stay true to tradition and a cause. Known as the angel of Bangladesh, Bibi Russel is world-renowned for her work with crafts.  For the last 10 years, her collection has been produced exclusively in Bangladesh and this has created a multitude of jobs in one of the poorest countries of the world.

The HSBC Colombo Fashion Week Resort Show, now in its third year, premiers from 1   to 4 October 2014 at Jetwing Blue and Jetwing Beach. The showcase will feature ‘Bright Spark’ shows which will highlight 15 of the brightest fashion designers in Sri Lanka; these shows will take place on 1 and 2 October, followed by 20 shows by established Sri Lankan fashion designers on 3 and 4 October. This season highlighting the Fashion + Food series of CFW, will feature a Michellin star chef from Paris and an internationally acclaimed Malaysian chef who will provide delightful cuisines every evening, bringing in a design element to the show from the culinary arts. There will be special menus available on 1 and 2 October, the day of the ‘Bright Spark’ shows and the menus will continue to evolve until the show comes to a close on 5 October. Additionally, six iconic restaurants on the famous Negombo strip and the renowned tourist street will participate to create interesting menus throughout the week. This year the show also features a first in Sri Lanka with its novel Pop-up retail stores produced by TATA Housing. Following a competition among final year architecture students Jade Jayawardena and Roven Edward Rebeira, were selected to create designs for twenty Pop-up retail stores for fashion designers showcasing at the CFW Resort show at Jetwing Blue Negombo.

CFW partners this year include; HSBC, Colombo Jewellery Stores, Land Rover, Jetwing, Ponds, TATA Housing, Vision Care, Spa Ceylon, Brandix, Wineworld, Hameedia, Hellmann Logistics, Leo Burnett, Cotton Collection, zMessenger, Ramani Fernando Salons, Mal-key rent-a-car, Fashion TV, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Daily FT, Hi!, Lanka Woman and Life-Online.   The HSBC CFW Resort Show will end with a fabulous, themed after-party on 4 October following the final show. Anticipated to be the party event of the season, tickets for the after-party will soon be on sale.

Registrations for the workshops can be made with Khadija Mansoor on 0779 444 634 or email [email protected] and will be at 1500/- per person. Those interested can also follow the CFW official website on http://www.colombofashionweek.com and the official CFW Facebook page on http://www.facebook.com/colombofashionweek for regular updates.