A chat with designer Yasintha Jayasekara 

Yasintha Jayasekara graduated from Northumbria University, UK and is currently working as the designer at Bam Holdings Pvt, Ltd.

As a Sri Lankan fashion designer and stylist, what is your take on the ever increasing need for women to transform themselves these days?

To me beauty is not just the outer appearance. Whether it is a person, cuisine or clothes, I believe that the inner qualities and the outward appearance should be an equally high standard, to permit the whole product to be called beautiful. Women are born with natural curves. It is only natural that they choose to accentuate them with clothes to feel good and beautiful. I feel the more you embrace yourself as to who you are and how you look is the key to look beautiful.

Your evening wear collection was inspired by the traditional dancing masks, costumes and the island's wood and stone carving techniques, with a touch of Victorian mourning dress details. It’s both exquisite and futuristic.

Like I mentioned above women are born with curves. As a designer it is essential to know how to accentuate them. For this collection I wanted to create something glamorous and fun. A conceptual design collection with intricate detailing inspired by Sri Lanka weaving techniques. I decided to play with a lot of volume as it is in our traditional dancing costumes, to think out of the box and create a unique silhouette as it was done by Christobel Balenciaga once, yet show off the natural curves of women by accentuating the waistline and hips by inspiring Victorian mourning dress.

What advice can you give to Lankan fashion enthusiasts? Tips?

Fashion is a business. Whether you own the company or work for someone else you have to bring money by creating quality, beautiful sophisticated garments if you want to pursuit a career and retain in this industry. It is also important to keep an eye out for latest trends, be very open minded about how things can be twisted into something unique and different that is interesting and stand out among the rest. No matter what is said and done make sure to enjoy the journey.

Who in Hollywood would you call an inspiration?

I would say it is the British actress Tilda Swinton. I have always admired her talents as an actress. Her ability to carry and perform in critically acclaimed avant garde films is simply magnificent. Same principle applies for her sense of fashion as well. It is very remarkable the confidence she has to carry extremely fashionable avant garde clothing. She has the eye for the rare sophisticated clothing consisting of glamour and beauty that will take hold of any audience.

A celebrity you see as a fashion disaster?

It is very hard to name someone in particular. Because people change and so does fashion. However I don’t understand why someone has to wear a meat suit or a veritable dress to stand against or support a certain social dilemma or to expose so much of your body to be famous and recognized. You don’t have to look absurd to make a noise or to stand out.

What should a fashion conscious woman look out for in the Sri Lankan fashion scene?

It is important to look out for latest trends, what is happening out there, who is wearing what. However something we have to be reminded is that we live in Sri Lanka, a sunny island without any seasonal changes. Therefore it is essential to grab what is suitable and right for the weather and dress accordingly for the function you are attending. Also if you keep an eye out for fashion and how it is changing you can do so many changes onto your existing clothes, Jeans, shirts, dresses and skirts. Recycle and wear them again, with right accessories and you will be amazed at how different it will look from the previous.

Autumn / Winter '15 season is next. Although Sri Lanka doesn’t follow these seasons, what are the fashion trends and styles we can look forward do?

Right from the moment we hear it is Autumn / Winter, and we imagine fur and velvet fabrics, grey and black hues and so on. But like I mentioned above we have to dress as it suits best to our climate. I see an '80s revival in trend as it was done by Balmain. The boho look is back with more folksy rock this time with fringing as it was done by Chloe, Burberry Prorsum and Lanvin. ‘Red’ is back. Whether it is scarlet, traffic light, crimson or ketchup - whatever you want to call it. It’s been used in head-to toe forms, cutting some of the boldest figures of the season as it was done by  Dior, Fendi and Hermès. As for jewellery, bling is back with chandelier earrings and statement necklesses at Lanvin, Miu Miu and Balenciaga too.

By Sandra De Zilva