Yureni Noshika and her slipper collection titled - YN Collection
The crazy, vibrant and sexy Yureni has done it again! This time she practically wants you to put your “feet up in the air!” with her latest designer wear slipper collection, named YN Collection. With a simple launch ceremony at Dilgience Dehiwala she revealed her collection to the world. Unlike others, she didn’t have any high ranking politicians or celebrities attend the event – instead she invited her loyal fans to pose with her and launch her new designs.
Here is Yureni on her new venture and her life…
Yureni, you could have simply designed a dress collection, a T-shirt collection. Why a slipper collection?
I think from my younger days I did things differently and this is my way of entering the ever growing fashion industry of Sri Lanka. Having said that, in the latter part of this year I will be branching out my range to outerwear, active wear as well.
Yureni, you are one of the most vibrant, outgoing celebrities that Sri Lanka is so lucky to own, and I am sure you are a target of much gossips and personal attacks. How do you face them and what’s your message to gossipers?
It’s by choice I’ve become a public figure and when you are one, it comes with the total package of both good and bad. Gossip mainly is one negative side of fame; there is no personal life and you are open to personal attacks. So one must learn to enjoy the perks as a celebrity and be strong enough to accept the negative points as well. We need to take gossip with a pinch of salt and also believe in karma.
Having said that, I just want the public to know that we are all human, not robots or gods. We make mistakes and we too have emotions and we feel pain. People need to understand that when you point one finger at a person, there are always four fingers pointing at you. Other than that, I guess everyone has the right to criticise anybody - it’s freedom of speech.
Growing up without the love and care of your parents must have been tough. What’s your secret to being the strong woman you are today?
My childhood is something that I have blocked from my memories as I didn’t enjoy it like any other child. So even if I have to think about those days, I opt not to. It was a bitter past and god took my parents away from me for some reason and I always think that I am a special child of god. However 10 years in the college hostel taught me discipline, to respect different people from different backgrounds, to share your happiness and sorrow with everyone, to be happy with the little you have, and to have faith in yourself and mostly to have faith in god. In the process I’d say I’ve come to realise pain is a teacher and if it’s not for those rough times and suffering I endured, I don’t think I’ll be the strong woman I’ve turned out to be today.
So just a little advice to most of the youngsters who consider me a role model,
In life we all have our share of ups and downs. If you always look at it the negative way rather than the bright side of it, there’s not so far in life you can go. You’d never be able to push your limits or see how far you can go.. when sufferings come, face them, go through them. Because that is what will make you a better and stronger person.
And to everyone who is blessed with parents, don’t ever take them for granted because you wouldn’t realise the value of them until they are no more. Hold on to them dearly and be thankful and grateful for all your blessings in life.
Coming back to your slipper collection, how would you comment on the pricing?
For both men and ladies, the slippers are priced at 650 rupees per pair. I won’t say the price is cheap for a pair of slippers, but this not an ordinary slipper, this was bought out to the world with lots of research, design time and thoughts. All products are made from safe materials which are internationally tested. Also since my fans loves me, I am a sure they would love to try out my designs.
What’s your target market?
I don’t want to create a slipper which is only affordable to a niche crowd. I don’t want to be a niche brand catering to an elite crowd. I’m a simple and humble girl so I like my designs to cater to such people too. My slippers have words which give a sense of belonging to Sri Lankans as most of the designs have slogans which we use nowadays in our normal conversations.
Any seasons your collection will fall into?
This is my launch so I put out the very best in my drawing board. Right now I am researching more for my next launch but it will all will depend on how the customers react to my designs. However I am very determined that this is going to be a hit. Even now, the majority of my fans are messaging me on FB like crazy to inquire on stocks and I am very confident this will be a hit.
What’s your plan to promote the collection?
My FB fan page which has nearly 100,000 likes is playing a huge role in getting me some exposure for the collection. I am planning to work with good hearted media people like you guys to get the word out. Even now many photographers and fashion designers have reached out to me to work together and I am in the process of shortlisting those offers.
Moving on to other topics, since many celebrities in your calibre are turning to politics, what’s your plan? Will you test your popularity for power?
There’s something I always believed about myself and that is I am different and that I’ve been brought to this world to fulfill a purpose. I have never been a person who has tried harder to be in the lime light. If I have gotten any sort of fame I guess it’s solely because people have appreciated the little work I did and they sincerely love me. I hardly even give interviews to most of the media. I don’t see a reason to be a part of politics, if my motive is to lead the young generation. So, no, I don’t see myself getting into politics. The least of my concerns is to test my popularity. Having said that, I do not want to criticise any of my colleagues who are in politics because it’s their conviction that led them to parliament to make a change /difference and wish them all the best and sincerely hope that they’ll lead by example to many youngsters who look up to them and that they’d find the strength to do it.
We saw you in an advert with John Abraham, planning any moves to Bollywood?
My motto in life is ‘dream BIG.’ I am a person who always pushes myself to achieve more in life..I love challenges and love taking risks even if it means I fail a hundred times. The India venture was a ‘challenge ‘and definitely a risk that I took in life. It was a dream come true to meet most of the Bollywood stars who I grew up watching. Yes, working with John Abraham was a great moment in my career and I still remember how excited I was the day of the ad film.
Well I was offered a few movie roles while I was there but it wasn’t the ones that I wanted to be a part of. Like I said, I dream big so I want to have the best; I want to be a part of the best. So fingers crossed, if I get a good offer I will definitely consider.
Well this is the first time I’m actually even revealing this to the media but since there is no confirmation I don’t want to say anything. But I’ve gotten an offer to do a movie with John Abraham itself and if all goes well, we will start shooting in August. Have no big hopes but if it happens it will happen; if not, all for the best.
Any other area you want to touch on?
I love to sing. I love music. Unfortunately I don’t have the inherent talent. But my friends say that I do have it in me and that with a little bit of voice training I should be able to pull it off. So yes I’d like to test my singing skills hopefully. As for films…well unfortunately I haven’t been approached by the right people in the industry. But as a person who voices my opinion I’d say I’ve not been fond of our commercial cinema sadly. But art movies yes .. there had been wonderful movies which have been even internationally acclaimed. I am yet to be a part of a good movie where I can give life to a strong, powerful and creative script.
There's a pair of slippers which is tagged "අයියෝ සල්ලි..." looking at the price of a pair at 650/-, if there's someone who buys at that price, all I can say is that "අයියෝ සල්ලි..."
It doesn't look like much thought has been put into the design of the slippers, they all look the same, nothing new that i haven't seen before with other brands.
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0 Comments
Dera says:
Apr 17, 2013 at 12:00 amThere's a pair of slippers which is tagged "අයියෝ සල්ලි..." looking at the price of a pair at 650/-, if there's someone who buys at that price, all I can say is that "අයියෝ සල්ලි..."
SAM says:
Apr 17, 2013 at 12:00 amI seem to have missed the point, what exactly was launched ?
Anushika says:
Apr 17, 2013 at 12:00 amNot bad....it is great job
nicky karunarathna says:
Apr 18, 2013 at 12:00 amCan't make any comments as she got a slipper in her hand. Anyway, she is nice, nice and nice than those sleepers what we call thongs in western style.
Father says:
Apr 20, 2013 at 12:00 amgood to see that she is not revealing too much in the photos
Mohamed Nazmi says:
Apr 22, 2013 at 12:00 amHey...Ur cute but Sleeper and word is wrong
Amanda says:
Apr 22, 2013 at 12:00 amIt doesn't look like much thought has been put into the design of the slippers, they all look the same, nothing new that i haven't seen before with other brands.
danu says:
Oct 13, 2014 at 12:00 amIt is great job akkiyo.i wish u all the best...very nice...!
udula says:
Nov 27, 2014 at 12:00 amnice pair i mean the slippers