Designer Twinkle Goonethilleke was scheduled to launch THE HIGHNESS - Journey of a Dress in December 2021 in France at the Paris American Academy where she had worked as an intern and gained experience at Paris Fashion Week. However, with the numerous lockdowns, this did not materialize and has now been rescheduled to December 2021. Recently Twinkle designed her own dress for the final crown shoot of Miss Intercontinental.

What sparked your interest in fashion design?
I’m very good at art and sketching. It’s my born talent. My mother observed my talents and urged me to take part in a fashion designing competition by Mrs. Chula Nanayakkara Ariyarathne. I sent my own designs as per the given criteria, such as Eveningwear, Office wear, Casual wear, and Saree wear. I was the youngest contestant among 200 contestants and I was selected for the finals and became the youngest Fashion Designer of the Year in
2007.

What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?
After I was awarded the Fashion Designer in the year 2007 at the age of 11, I thought to myself, this is my path as a career to be chosen in the future. I received a lot of press attention after the win, but due to the strict rules of my Alma Mater Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo I was not able to further this ambition until I left school. I realised fashion design is a good choice and it is a lucrative career.

Are you self-taught or did you study fashion design?
I am self-taught. I joined the Women’s State University Bangalore in India where I graduated as a qualified fashion designer. Thereafter, my university sent me to Paris American Academy, France for my internship. During my stay in Paris, I gained fashion experience at Paris Fashion Week. Also, I got an opportunity to study under the renowned famous fashion designer Manish Arora.

How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
For the launch of my label, I aim to target the local market and Mumbai and Paris. In Sri Lanka, my focus is on a ready to wear and wrap dress collection while in Mumbai and Paris I will focus on colourful fabrics in traditional silhouettes and Haute Couture adding my personal flair to the designs.

Are there any types of clothing that you avoid designing?
Basically, I avoid designing too loose clothes, trousers, coarse-looking dresses, jumpsuits and cardigans.

Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I always look up to 90s style celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Victoria Beckham, DVF, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer. My creative inspiration is derived from vintage and contemporary fashion, rich heritage, print and colour.

Who is your muse?
My muse is my mother. She is my all-time inspiration and fashionista since childhood. I always see the way she dresses up for work very glamorously.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?
When I started doing designing and my own range, you should not release anything or discuss it with anyone until it comes to a conclusion. Also not to share your uniqueness with others or else it’s difficult to make your own market.

What’s your motto?
“If you believe - You can achieve.”

What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
In the fashion industry, social media platforms are used to interact with the consumer as a means of networking with others in the industry. Social media influence designers in unique ways that are changing the way many designers create their fashions. It has also proven to give more exposure to individual brands.

How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?
I want them to feel confident, empowered, the highness, proud and sophisticated women in charge.

Pix Courtesy : Twinkle