Linda wins IYFE award

Linda Speldewinde was announced as the National winner of the British Council International Young Fashion Entrepreneur (IYFE) 2009 award partnered by Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) yesterday.

This is the second year British Council Sri Lanka organised this event.

The International Young Fashion field including - fashion textile, accessories production and design, fashion promotion, fashion education, fashion marketing, fashion publishing recognising that an applicant may strongly influence the business of fashion without being a practising fashion designer.

The shortlisted candidates were - Ahamed Bary Farook, Niroshani Leanage, Anupama Nawalage and Linda Speldewinde. For the final interview, the shortlisted candidates were given an opportunity to make a short presentation expanding on their written application and addressing questions related to market awareness, vision and ambition and their desire to develop mutually beneficial engagement with the UK.

The final judging panel comprised Gill Westaway (Country Director British Council Sri Lanka), Ajith Dias (Chairman, Joint Apparel Association Forum), Shanth Fernando (Director Paradise Road/designer and entrepreneur) and Piyumi Perera (Head of Design, Hirdaramani Group Design and Development Centre).

Founder and Managing Director of the Academy of Design Linda Speldewinde is one of the premier institutes for undergraduate education for design in Sri Lanka.

The judges were of the opinion that Speldewinde would be a worthy ambassador for Sri Lanka as she understands the power and potential of the creative industry to create opportunities for people in this country.

Speldewinde as the National Winner, will compete alongside eight other winners from around the world for the title of International Young Fashion Entrepreneur (IYFE) 2009 award to be held in London in February 2009. The eight other countries are, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tunisia and Vietnam.