Timeless designs

Chandani Rajapaksa showcases patchpoint sarees at Susini Salu 2010:

Ruwini Jayawardana

Each passing day newly embellished designer sarees throng stores. With new designs coming to the scene the saree that had been introduced to the market last week fades into the oblivion by the end of month

Susini Salu 2010

Chandani will showcase around 150 patch point sarees at Susini Salu 2010. The exhibition will be held at the Mihilaka Madura, BMICH, on September 25 and 26. Western Provincial Council Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Irrigation, Livestock Production and Development, Trade and Environment Minister Udaya Gammanpila will grace the occasion.

A fashion show will also be held on September 26 at 4 p.m. where models will display around 30 sarees. There will also be a bridal show. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa will be the Chief Guest.

*****************----

Chandani Rajapaksa had woven a new thread in this traditional art of weaving golden magic into luxurious silks and chiffons. She introduced a novel concept to the field: one in which you can create any saree design through a single technique: patch point designs.

“If you know the art of patch point designing you can create any design. You need not know the techniques of batik, cross stitch or threading. All these and more designs can be conjured through patch point,” Chandani explained.

She had developed this unique form of saree designing 10 years back. She says that it has always been her childhood dream to present something ‘new and creative’ to the trade. With patch point, Chandani had been able to realise her dream and embellish her name in history as an expert seamstress and innovator.

She says: “I do not believe in copying or imitating the things that others have done. You need to observe and keep up with the fast moving world but you should build something new to hand down to the next generation. We all embody some form of creativity. It is a matter of digging deep into your ideas coupled with knowledge.”

She is well versed on the tricks of the trade and designs her own patch point saree collections. She stresses that these designs are unique because she herself pieces them together.

“I have a design library. Every one of my designs are stored there. This system is developed to avoid repetition. I can guarantee that there will be no other saree with the same design in exactly the same manner anywhere in the world,” she noted with confidence.

A product of Buddhist Ladies College and Gothami Balika, Maradana, Chandani notes that patch point is an appliqué technique.

All you need is a pair of scissors, some glue and a few other resources like beads, seashells and colourful fabric.

Creativity  at its best

A unique design

“We use polished seashells instead of sequins in some outfits. You do not need to know how to work on a sewing machine or how to paint if you can design with patch point. It really sets off the look of the real thing and the best point is that it will not be outdated,” she said.

Not surprisingly, her less traveled path had come into the public eye. She is now the official saree designer for First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. “I introduced this technique to enhance the value of local sarees,” Chandani opined adding that her sarees cannot be purchased in the market.

She hopes to create patch point designs for men’s wear and office as well as casual wear for women.

Since countries like Philippines, Australia and Sweden have shown interest towards her work, Chandani’s future goal is to take her creations to the international arena.