What - Swim Week Colombo 
Where - Colombo Port 
When - June 24 & 25  

This week on WTF, we bring you the best of Swim Week Colombo! In just one year this show has taken the fashion limits in our country to another level. Ajai who is very strong in his faith, told me "Danu, prediction says that it will rain on Day 2, but I know it will not!" and just like that, it did not rain. 

The location was breathtaking and amazing. Taking the cameras to the Colombo Port was the best thing that Swim Week Colombo did. Would we ever get a chance to go see that view? It was cool and refreshing to sit and watch the show, and every photograph looks amazing. 

Ajai says “We as Sri Lankans have all the resources to make this the swimwear capital, as we are sounded by water and colours and it comes naturally to our designers,” and it's true, as many did put up a strong collection which gave a strong show at the end of the day. 

Day One started off with U by Upeksha Hager, and I loved the start to the show! This year’s collection embraced understated palettes coupled with a somewhat austere silhouette. The collection comprised a variety of looks and uses and is suited for women of varying curves. 

Day One also showcased Shivan & Narresh by Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja. It's India’s first luxury swimwear brand. A 100% stitch-free swim line, it was launched at ‘Mare di Moda’ in Cannes and wasted no time in becoming an integral part of holiday wardrobes and providing confidence for women through their ‘prêt’ and the ‘made-to-measure’ swimsuit services. The brand takes pride in its Indian cultural ethos, which is evident in its modest cuts, bold usage of colour and impeccable finishing. In 2012, Shivan & Narresh became the first Indian label to showcase at Miami Swim Week. The brand was also included in Forbes Magazine’s celebrated “30 Under 30” list and recently designed vintage swimsuits for the Hollywood movie, Life of Pi. Brazilian flip-flop brand, Havaianas, collaborated with Shivan & Narresh for a special collection. The brand even has a lifestyle beverage dedicated to it - the Cointreaukini, by French brand Cointreau and its custodian Alfred Cointreau. And they were very strong for Day One. 

On Day Two, the atmosphere was great, and it was a full house. I loved two collections and they were my favourite from Swim Week Colombo this year. Rum Punch just knows how to bring out the summer in one person. Rukshika Fernando, also known as Rukshi, the co-founder and co-owner of Rum Punch, holds a degree in fashion design from the Academy of Design, Sri Lanka and Northumbria University, UK. The ACTIVE POP 16/17 is a collection of fun and cheeky swim styles with bold prints. Drawing inspiration from surf wear and pop culture, this collection sports a range of versatile shapes comprising of bold contrast colours, striking pop art prints and mesh fabric. The prints in the collection are unique, as the brand worked closely with local artists thereby making this a truly Sri Lankan collection. It was everyone’s favourite. 

And a show like this needs a good closing, and we had it with We Are Handsome. It was a creative expression of husband and wife pair Jeremy and Katinka Somers. With creative backgrounds and a shared desire to constantly create, the couple focus on re-imagining the norms of swim and active wear design to construct pieces that capture the spirit and emotion of a life filled with movement. We Are Handsome is the embodiment of a love for the beautiful things in life, the wonder of travel and the endless and abundant magic of the inspiring world in which we live. And they just gave a fine finish to one great show. 

For more photographs, click here. 

Today on WTF 

Hair and make up - Capello Salon 
Transport Partner - PickMe 
Day One photographs by You're My Favorite 
Day One photographs and video by KINGS CO.