The Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Architecture - the University of Moratuwa in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing held a fashion show and exhibition titled “Refined Cane” recently. The show and exhibition were created with the task of uplifting and promoting the traditional craftsmen of the Radawadunna village, famously known for its cane goods.

 

Students and graduates of the university worked alongside 12 craftsmen from the village to design and manufacture cane products with a more modern twist while still keeping the traditional feel to it. SLIM joined in the project to provide the craftsmen and designers with practical counsel on the marketing aspects of the enterprise. And after months of hard work, the artists, designers and craftsmen together have created stylish products such as beautiful cane furniture with a modern flair, artfully designed book bags and creative jewellery pieces, all in the hopes of giving cane products new life in today’s market. A webpage will also soon be up to promote the new designer pieces along with a stall at Expo Lanka.

 

The fashion show held alongside the exhibition of cane products at the Park Street Mews recently, promoted the use of hand woven and traditional garments. Colourful detailed sari and batik collections inspired by traditional customs and society came down the ramp, followed by the avant garde collection which saw the creative use of cane as clothing. With the show drawing to a close, the 12 craftsmen who took part in the enterprise were handed certificates of appreciation by the members of the faculty of architecture and members of SLIM.