Designer of the Year 2013 – Kasunika Hewagamage

 

 

Young Kasunika Hewagamage, aged 25, also known as Kazz, won the title “Designer of the Year 2013” at The Wedding Show 2013 held at the BMICH on 1 , 2 and 3 February. Her captivating bridals were a highlight of the show and led her to win this title. 

 

Kasunika is an old girl of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo and she learned her ABC in designing at the University of Moratuwa (Honours Degree in Fashion Design & Product Development) she also obtained a Diploma In Marketing from Wigan & Leigh College, UK.  

 

Life Online met Kasunika and this is what she had to say…

 

 

When you got the award “Designer of the Year” what was your feeling?

 

I was all excited when I heard my name being called as the Designer of the Year and it was echoing in my mind for a few seconds! Even though I didn’t put together this collection just because of an award, I knew how hardworking and dedicated I was with this collection for almost one month, I felt really satisfied and felt extremely happy with what I’d gained. Since I'm so passionate about designing bridal, I am motivated to do more with this award. When I see the pictures of my collection on the ramp, I can be humbly proud of myself and I am happy. “If there is a will, there is a way” and designing is my will and it has become my life.

 

 

Do you think bridal is the way to go for your life? Or you are looking into other avenues?

 

Bridal designing is my ultimate passion. I always want to do something unique and exclusive in my creative life. Every girl dreams to be the most beautiful bride like a queen; we all do. So fulfilling such a customers’ dreams is not an easy task. Thus identifying the client as an asset to me, it is my pleasure to create something uniquely beautiful and make their dreams come true in their most prestigious day! But as a designer, I wish to expand my capacities and talents. I don’t want to limit my creativity. I want to have true satisfaction in my work, and I do. I do design in other areas as well. 

 

 

What were the challenges you faced in your journey?

 

Being a full time designer in ODEL, it was hard to find time to create this collection within a very short notice for The Wedding Show 2013. Very frankly, it’s my nature to dedicate to whatever I do and I accepted this challenge of 'Limited Time". However I had to spend sleepless nights, had to manage tightly scheduled working days and had to cut down the rest completely on weekends during the month of January! However I am really happy with my time management as I have achieved deadlines and met my target, which was doing a masterpiece, not just a design.

 

And I take this as an opportunity to  thank my loving parents who were there as giants behind me, my family, soul mate, friends and office mates who encouraged and supported me to do this. I should specially thank Gihan Dassanayake (The creative director of the event & GIDA) for inviting me to showcase my collection in The Wedding Show 2013; and I take this chance to thank the models and photographers as well for taking my collection to the audience.

 

 

Can you explain a bit about your winning collection?

 

I did a range of six bridal outfits for The Wedding Show 2013, including 4 saris and 2 dresses. It was my choice to create a collection using white, ivory and red colour. I tried my best to enhance the feminine look of the bride by emphasising her curves. For that I used exclusive draping and folding methods and tried to add a unique look to the saris including modern silhouettes to the sari. To enrich the designs I utilised silk and lace materials and pearls where all the jewellery, bouquets and total outfit were handcrafted by me. For the whole collection I was inspired by floral theme and I wanted to highlight the red outfit among the rest, which I used as the point of the attraction in the collection.

 

 

 

 

 

As a graduate of Moratuwa Design Faculty, what do you I have to say about the other private fashion academies in Sri Lanka?

 

Being a Free-Education Graduate from the University of Moratuwa I am very proud of where I am today. This was the pioneering course in Fashion in the country and I must say that it is the place where I gained the A-Z of Fashion Design and Product Development with the knowledge about concept to final outcome including sketching plus  technical knowledge, pattern making, sewing. I gained the confidence to make a collection from the university.

And related to your question it’s good to have more academies and institutes who cater to the fashion industry. The University of Moratuwa can offer only limited opportunities with z score and aptitude test standards. Therefor I believe it’s better to have private institutes to support those who really like to enter the field and don’t have sufficient requirements to enter to a government university. However there should be a thorough concern to maintain standards of these institutes which will help to produce quality designers to the nation and  to maintain the standards of the fashion business. 

 

 

Interview by Jayantha Fernando