Apparel Buzz

Supports the apparel industry fashion show and the seminal South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum at SLDF

Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2012, backed by local industries and the Government, was held under the theme of ‘Locally Global,’ taking Sri Lankan design to the world as an internationally relevant yet, locally rooted industry.

Shippers’ Academy Colombo conducts corporate training on trade and transport for Brandix

In the quest to be globally competitive, Brandix Lanka Ltd. has initiated a program along with the Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) to train its group companies on various aspects of global commerce. The Shippers’ Academy has specialised with its consultants and dedicated academic staff to develop customised programs to corporate clients who are involved in global trade and transportation.

Duvindi Illankoon meets Ada Zandition, a fashion designer with a green conscience from the UK

Listening to Ada Zanditon speak, you’d think she was a biologist-or as one publication romantically puts it, an eco warrior-princess. Her passion for wildlife tempered with a killer dress sense embraces what she calls a paradox of a calling in life. Ada Zandition is a fashion designer with a green conscience.

Sri Lanka has always been ahead of its time: a premier fashion and apparel outsourcing hub with a long established culture of ethical business and sustainability. While other sourcing destinations are playing “catch up” in meeting government and popular standards, Sri Lanka has set the pace, thanks to practices that are borne from the character of the country. The standards set forth by Sri Lanka are supplier-driven and motivated by an altruistic goal of being as ethical as it is efficient. It differentiates Sri Lanka from its competitors in the apparel supply sector, setting it apart—and ahead. “Because of our unwavering commitment, retailers and brands that value these standards are drawn to Sri Lanka”, said Anil Hirdaramani, a  pioneer member of the industry whose group recently built the first carbon neutral factory in Asia.

Newly-appointed SLAS Chairman Yohan Lawrence addressed the need to change the Labour market reforms, which will help achieve the apparel industry target of US$ 5 billion. He stated that though Sri Lanka has a number of public holidays, there are other areas the Government could look into which would help generate this income.

With over 100 professionals in apparel manufacturing, supply chain services, ethical fashion, retail brands, media and opinion leaders, the South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum took place for the second consecutive year in Colombo last week.

Fashion label Avirate by Timex announces the arrival of high street fashion lingerie collection. With a vision to be the leading premium lingerie brand in the Asian region, Avirate promises luxury, sophistication and sensual appeal to its elegant and confident women.

* Garment exporters brace for tough times as India mulls free trade agreement with the EU

Immediate past President of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters’ Association Rohan Abeykoon said that the era of subsidies was now over and that the destiny of the industry lay in its own hands.

Collaboration, speed to market and building the 'Made in Sri Lanka' brand emerged as key themes at this year's South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum, held as part of last week's Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF).

Bridging the gap between what is sustainable and what is sexy, the global fashion and apparel industry has much to do in promoting what is sustainable to a consumer base that is all for design, fashion, flair, and creativity.