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'Design Difference' :
SLDF in November
The Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) 2010 is conceptualized by the
Academy of Design (AOD), in association with industry leaders and the
Government and will be held from November 11-17 at Mount Lavinia Hotel.
The event is to take place under the theme of Design Difference,
encompassing the difference created through creative industries by value
addition, poverty relief through employment generation and becoming a
major contributor to the national economy. AOD is organizing SLDF 2010
in partnership with the Export Development Board.
Held for the second year, SLDF 2010 will play a pivotal role in
showcasing Sri Lanka's design capability while providing much needed
business opportunities. Big names in the design and retail circuit will
be taking part in SLDF for sourcing, imparting knowledge and promotion.
Among them will be Ethical Fashion forum Founder and Director Elizabeth
Laskar, Estethica-the ground breaking eco zone at London Fashion Week,
co-founder and curator Orsola De Castro, SLDF brand ambassador-UK's
renowned fashion commentator, writer and critique, Colin McDowell with
world famous retailers like Topshop, Warehouse, Asos and Tesco to name a
few.
AOD Managing Director and the SLDF Founder Linda Speldewinde, said
"We feel Sri Lanka is ready to make its own unique contribution to the
world of fashion and design and we want Sri Lanka Design Festival to
facilitate Sri Lanka's debut to the world of design". In recently held
launches in London, Italy and Paris, Speldewinde re-iterated the SLDF
philosophy and vision of focusing on all aspects of design taking Sri
Lanka forward as a major hub for creative industries. "Ethical fashion
will be promoted, providing opportunities for retailers and design
enthusiasts seeking such products", she said.
"We are keen to promote craft and other related industries to keep
abreast of the changing trends in the global market. There is huge
demand and hence scope for special products of proven quality which will
ensure returns in foreign exchange and are happy to partner and strongly
support SLDF", said EDB Executive Chairman and Chief Janaka Ratnayake.
MAS Holdings, Chairman Mahesh Amalean main sponsor for SLDF 2010,
said. "We are delighted to support Sri Lanka Design Festival to develop
and promote design talent in Sri Lanka as well as the country's apparel
industry. Design is the future of Sri Lankan creative industry and MAS
is proud to lend a hand to develop it."
Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association Chairman and Joint Apparel
Association Forum (JAAF) Executive Committee Member Kumar Mirchandani
stressed on the function of the Sri Lankan apparel industry's scope
beyond that of being simply a manufacturer. "We are able to offer buyers
design too. This has given our industry an edge as we are now able to
offer retailers and brands the entire service - from design to delivery.
Sri Lanka Apparel supports SLDF 2010 fully, as it focuses on Sri Lanka's
design and product development capability - important elements that will
aid the progress of and add value to our fashion manufacturing
business," he said.
Bates 141 Chairman and CEO Nimal Gunewardena said, "Design and
communications have today become the critical drivers of brands and
marketing. Design makes people love products. Design is vital in on-line
and traditional communications, and communicators today need to graduate
from being pure broadcasters and become designers of systems and places
which will attract today's on-line consumer. This is a philosophy we are
driving as an agency, and both these disciplines are close to our heart.
This is why Bates 141 wholeheartedly agreed to join hands with the
Academy of Design to promote the Sri Lanka Design Festival that will
showcase the importance of design across several fields."
This strategic partnership with AOD, EDB, MAS Holdings and Joint
Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) will mark another milestone of the
public-private sector partnership in achieving common goals of the
country. SLDF 2010 is also backed by British Council, SriLankan
Airlines, Mount Lavinia Hotel and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
More details are available online through the Sri Lanka Design
Festival Website; www.srilankadesignfestival.com.
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