Today I go back to the days of royalty and elegance at the LOVI’s flagship experience store at the Iconic Galle Face Hotel. “Walking into the Galle Face Hotel is an emotional experience,” says LOVI CEO Asanka de Mel. “Growing up, I remember my father believed… we all believed…it was the most beautiful place in Colombo,” he said. For 160 years, the hotel, the Grande Dame of the Orient, has stood by the Indian Ocean, a silent witness to the changes in Sri Lanka. As you enter the lobby, you’re greeted by an “Ayubowan,” and immediately you feel the grandeur, the warmth, and the embrace of Sri Lanka.

Designed in collaboration with architect Ajantha Ranaweera, LOVI opened its newest shop at this Iconic Galle Face Hotel. Fabric-upholstered teak cabinets next to a mirrored wall, beneath the grand, golden chandeliers, with a LOVI-fruit-red table at the centre, this is the perfect setting to showcase LOVI’s latest hand-worked collection, Eden. 

This statement fashion house is a proud example of Sri Lankan artistry and craftsmanship. “Opening a shop at the Galle Face Hotel has been my dream and a milestone on the LOVI journey to build a modern Sri Lankan identity,” says Asanka.

This new shop is a tribute to all LOVI fans, the people who believe in Sri Lanka. It’s a place for them to be inspired and to inspire their guests with a luxurious experience, to show the world what Sri Lanka can do. If you are in Colombo for a day, the LOVI shop in the Galle Face Hotel is a must-see.

In the last few weeks, Calvin Chinthaka, Creative Director at LOVI who has been inspired by the moving portraiture style for this series has been documenting LOVI lovers and I was so happy to be a part of this shoot too 

LOVI embodied everything Sri Lankan let’s always be proud to be seen in Sri Lankan anywhere in the world 
 
Photography- Calvin Chinthaka
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