The ideal prelude to Colombo Fashion Week 2014 was drawn aside at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on the 30th of November. Super Model, Sri Lanka, and the highly illustrious glamour event kicked off the festivities of December in style.

30 fresh faces took the ramp armed with the objective of making the bold statement that modeling is a budding career in Sri Lanka and a promising one. Ajai Vir Singh, the founder President of Colombo Fashion Week took the stage with Dirk Caldera and Prasad Bidapa to kick-start the proceedings.

Singh made reference to Jacqueline Fernandez and Adam Flamer Caldera who have both made great progress in the international fashion scene putting Sri Lanka on the map. According to Singh, the two have opened the gates to the international ramps and it’s now the youngsters’ turn to walk through the gate.

Bidapa also elaborated on the importance of formalizing the modeling career prospects in the country and proceeded to detail the opportunities that are available to young models which span beyond the ramp and into print, TV and film mediums.

Following torrential pours and an incidental delay in proceedings, the event was still successfully initiated with a house of prestigious guests in attendance. At the point of model introductions many of the young features were greeted with appreciative rounds of applause from the audience.

The introductions were almost immediately followed by designer collections from four esteemed designers. The initial portrayal was made by Arugam Bay, the celebrated collection of resort-wear that over the years have come to be a favourite among top tier fashion enthusiasts comprising of both local and foreign clients. The vividly vibrant collection and the complementing energetic performance by the models were well received by the house and took away from the dull setting of the post-torrent night.

Lifted spirits continued to soar with the second collection presented by String Hopper, which was described as an integrally ethnic yet international take of contemporary attire. The finesse of the collection was a stark contrast to the casual outlook of Arugam Bay but presented a distinct allure that held its own on the ramp.

Fouzul Hameed’s signature collection followed and was an affair of sophistication and time tested elegance as it always is, putting men’s formal wear on the pedestal that Hammedia has created for itself. Ramona followed up as the final act of the night embodied feminine finesse and sophistication and drew much appreciation from the house.

Following the conclusion of the collections which were described as fashion challenges for the models, the segment winners under a host of categories were awarded. Models Wimukthi and Meliza were named winners of the Body category followed by Chanuka and Shamaila for Face, Sameera and Marietta for Photogenic, Suchinthani and Naswar for Skin, Tharindu and Tharaka for Hair and Manuja, Rukshani and Sonali for Style.

Following the mini pageants, the winners for the main categories were also awarded. Dineth and Sithmi were awarded for the TV category, Chanuka, Soha and Tharaka for Film, Shane and Suchinthani for Print and Jake and Shanika for Runway.

In closing votes of thanks were extended to the sponsors and panel of judges which comprised of many esteemed fashion aficionados. Otara Gunawardene, Fouzul Hameed, Ajai Vir Singh, Shalin Balasuriya and Ramani Fernando were seated in the place of the judges and were thanked for their unwavering support of the industry and its advancement.

Comments:

Ajai Vir Singh
I think there’s great potential for models in Sri Lanka and we saw a lot of talent coming in. I think this is the best place to start and this will continue to gather momentum as we move into the coming years.

Prasad Bidapa
I’m very happy to have seen this promising ensemble of models taking part. There’s immeasurable potential for modeling in Sri Lanka and I think it’s time we move this talent to the international arena.

Fouzul Hameed
I think the event was a great success and the resulting impact of this initiative will be felt in the years to come specially in the fashion industry where there is a necessity of models currently and a lot of opportunities.

Prasanna Pathmanathan
As the COO of Super Model – Sri Lanka, I’m very happy with what we have achieved and we’re happy to pledge that this will only keep moving from strength to strength as we go on.

Suchinthani Arandara (Winner Skin Category)
I was really excited to have taken part and I think this event will be important in establishing modeling as a career that is taken seriously in Sri Lanka. I’m very happy to have been in the final 15 girls and I’m looking forward to working in the industry in the future.

Soha Maryam (Winner Film Category)
I’m really happy to have been in the finale of this event and I think it’s a great opportunity for young models to get experience on the ramp and it’s been a great experience for me as well.

Nadun Baduge (Official Photographer)
As Supermodel Sri Lanka official photographer I'm really happy with the things went all the way to the very end. CFW made a new opening for the model industry by doing this big pageant. I am so glad to be part of one of the best model pageants that ever happened in Sri Lanka.

Tristine Fernando (Invitee)
CFW has created a great platform for the upcoming models. And it's a great opportunity given to the youngsters to bring out their talents in the open and to make a mark.

By Dilshan Senaratne