Celebrating UK-Lanka creativity

On August 2, 2011, the British High Commission, Academy of Design (AOD), the British Council, and UK Trade and Investment, held a joint event at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner, H.E. John Rankin. The event was attended by leading personalities of the fashion industry in Sri Lanka, alongside top apparel suppliers to the UK. While the event celebrated the growing fashion and design sector in Sri Lanka, it also highlighted the importance of UK-Sri Lanka ties in the creative industries.

The British High Commissioner spoke about the business partnerships between the UK and Sri Lanka in the creative sector. He said, "The modern UK economy is based on innovation and sustainability. We have the largest creative industry in the European Union and one of the largest in the world. Our cutting edge fashion industry has always been a leader in key fashion trends, set by world famous designers such as John Galliano, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith and Julien Macdonald.

Sri Lanka also has a growing creative sector producing clothing, crafts and materials which appeal to major buyers in the UK and more widely. The collaboration between UK designers and Sri Lankan craft producers will support them in their aim of further developing the range and quality of their goods for overseas customers.

Our event has highlighted the close partnership between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka in the field of fashion and design. This in turn can help to further grow our already very strong trade and investment relationship, illustrated by the many major Sri Lankan companies currenlty doing business with the UK."

The British Council Country Director, Tony Reilly OBE, talked about the British Council's work in the creative industries. "As part of a global initiative, the British Council strives to connect the next generation of design professionals with UK industry and education networks. The British Council's work in identifying and nurturing design entrepreneurs of the future includes the annual Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award. The British Council is also a knowledge partner for the annual Sri Lanka Design Festival and HSBC-Colombo Fashion Week," he said.

Another innovative British Council programme connecting young designers from both countries was launched. IDEATORS 3, is a reality-TV competition featuring 12 budding creative entrepreneurs from the UK and Sri Lnaka. At the event Tony Reilly launched Season 3 of IDEATORS. This year's show will be telecast on ITN. The reality TV show will showcase the entrepreneurial talents of emerging Sri Lankan and UK design graduates.

AOD Founder and Managing Director Linda Speldewinde underlined the importance of providing a solid foundation to young fashion and design aspirants. "The Academy of Design being a pioneer in design education in Sri Lanka, works in close partnership with Britain to strengthen the creative education sector in the island. Through a partnership with the prestigious Northumbria University School of Design, AOD extends world-class British design degrees right here in Sri Lanka. AOD also plays a championing role in developing the Sri Lankan creative industries together with a strong knowledge partnership with the British Council and through public private partnerships with the government of Sri Lanka and the Apparel industry which has given birth to projects such as Sri Lanka.

Design Festival, SLDF Ethical Fashion Award and Design for Sustainable Development, she said.