‘Ayora’ is a fashion brand based in Sri Lanka, with a limited production of clothes designed and sewn on request for your convenience, focused on giving exquisite attention to detail, creating outfits that are wearable, chic yet affordable and comfortably fashion forward. Each product is designed for the ladies who go that little extra notch to look unique and daring.

Photograph credits: Achintha Dahanayake

Excerpts from an interview with designer Ayodhya Ratnayake Kottegoda the owner of the designer brand ‘Ayora’ below:

Where do you grab your design inspiration and how does it influence the label ‘Ayora’?

To me inspiration is literally everywhere! It’s about how you start observing the little things around you and drawing inspiration out of it and implementing it in one or another way in to my designs.

Photograph credits: Achintha Dahanayake

As a Sri Lankan designer how do you break the local fundamentals in creating a global fashion aesthetic touch to the Sri Lankan fashion arena?

As designers it’s important you know what’s currently trending and learn ways to incorporate these certain trends in to traditional local fashion which sometimes is considered outdated and probably something you would dread wearing considering the trims, and materials which have been used and applied in to these clothing. So I think as designers we need to explore our potentials and push our own boundaries in to finding out what more we can do with our Sri Lankan heritage whether it means by reinventing local crafts with a fresh perspective or by mixing and matching or applying the existing crafts in to modern contemporary fashion. So in order to create a global fashion aesthetic touch to the Sri Lankan fashion arena I would first want to start translating the cultures of Sri Lanka in to a language that today’s generation can relate to.

Inspired by the Russian Costume ‘Sarafan’ that’s goes along with its head dress the Kokoshnik, enhances the theme further incorporating bold colors giving volume to each garment with its Lankan twist adding a contemporary feel to it with the detailed embroidery are some of the key elements of this Russian collection. The bright bold red dress is ideal for resortwear while the pretty white attire and the black dress with its vibrant details with its flowy-ness is well suited as a cocktail dress.

Photograph credits: Achintha Dahanayake

What is your artistic style specialty for ‘Ayora’ eponym that contributes towards the Sri Lankan fashion industry?

I’m a true believer in simplicity and the fact that IT IS the ultimate sophistication to anything. I like keeping things simple even when it comes to design. I have adapted to a certain style that reflects almost my personal fashion taste which balances off well with our culture I believe, which is simple, chic, elegant and most importantly comfortable.

My clothing brand ‘Ayora’ would be best defined as a brand with a limited production of clothes exclusively designed and sewn on request for your convenience, focused on giving exquisite attention to detail, perfect fit and creating outfits that are comfortably fashion forward! I have also started to take up bridal orders and it is hopefully something I would like to focus in the future. My style is something I am eagerly waiting to share with the Sri Lankan fashion industry.

Photograph credits: Achintha Dahanayake

Which Hollywood celebrity inspires you the most in your creative analysis?

I love Lupito Nyongo’s minimalist style. She is beautiful and she can basically carry off a fun and flirty look to a much sophisticated one whether she’s in pastel shades or in vibrant bold choice of colors, which is what inspires me the most. She has proved that dark skinned women can wear almost any color they want really, and not let their complexions limit their choices when it comes to choosing a color story for their closets.

Photograph credits: Achintha Dahanayake (left), and Chamil Thanthrimudalige (right)

When did you embark with the sense of being radical with the fashion system?

Fashion is a cycle and is something that changes constantly which either repeats or reveals as something new! I have thought of many ways to go radical with the basic fashion system and try doing something out of the box in order to come up with a radical innovation. So I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my ‘All in one’ piece for the fashion nomad, which was one of my recent projects that are created in a reversible form which can be worn in 12 different ways. This was an experimental project which happened to be a huge success. I really enjoyed coming up with this concept and I’m looking forward to coming up with more projects like this so that I could provide more options to all my clients to learn new ways to twist and turn their garments in to something new.

Photograph credits: Chamil Thanthrimudalige

As a Sri Lankan designer moreover a fashion trendsetter what are some of the chic styles you anticipate for the current season spring/summer 15' and what is your take on the current trends, tips & tricks to be on the lookout for?

Neon hues are something to be super excited about this coming season. Try mixing and matching your electric hues with softer shades or bold colors with either textured pieces in case you’re going for a layered look and try not overdoing the accessories! Try offsetting the brightness with minimal accessories and neutral colors to keep it chic and simple. After all, ‘Simplicity IS the ultimate sophistication.’

Text by Sandra De Zilva