Wearable inspirations
Behind the scenes of ‘Ideators’ - episode 13:
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
Lots of new young fashion startups are looking to make it big in the
fashion industry today but only a few, like a drop in an ocean, really
make it to the top to establish a globally acclaimed fashion brand.
You need to tap your creativity and put lots of hard work into your
effort to achieve this goal. You need to think out of the box, open a
new door and venture into an area that many will find enchanting to
visit and be at home in. That is your success formula.
That is another way to sum up the task presented to the two 'Ideator'
finalists, Lara and Udana in last week's episode.
The two dynamic youths were joined by the rest of their ex-team
members on this challenge.
Team Lara comprised of Natalie, Achala, Daniel, Suraaj and Alex.
Luke, Nimanthie, Indrajith, Adam and Upekshi joined Udana in this latest
challange.
Queried as to why she selected Natalie first Lara said, "I picked her
because she is the most experienced dressmaker. I picked my team based
on skill, not sentiments. Unfortunately, Natalie did not get the
opportunity to show her skills because she left the show early."
However the student from the London College of Fashion added that she
was quite satisfied with her choices as the guys and girls put in their
best efforts to see that things ran smoothly. She added that if she had
been given a chance to pick one member from Udana's team, it would be
Luke because they have worked well together.
We also asked Udana the same question on whether Lara got any members
he had his eye on.
"Yes in deed all five of them!!! But only if it is not going to cost
me any of my current team members," was his comment. Talk about getting
greedy!
On a more serious note he added, "All 11 contestants are brilliant in
their own ways. Therefore I was pretty much happy to work with whoever
was available for me. The selections were straight forward. I selected
the people which I thought is best suited for the task and which I felt
most comfortable working with. I was delighted with my team."
His glee is heightened by having his arch rival Adam on his side.
Looking back on the experience Adam reflects, "It was great to have the
opportunity to work with Udana. We turned our rivalry into a
constructive force! Udana is quite a laid back leader, but his style
inspires confidence.
I appreciate the freedom that he allowed in working on the project,
without being micromanaged. I am also a firm believer that you must
appreciate everybody within a business from the lowest rung, up to the
management. Often the people that appear to have the least power or
responsibility can be your greatest allies. So when Udana, the project
manager, was making cups of tea for the team I really felt a sense of
appreciation. It is those little things that good managers do to
motivate the team."
Indrajith too was one of Udana's team members. We asked him about
Udana's leadership skills and 'Dre' dubs him as an 'amazing leader.'
"I love the way he is always open to people's ideas. Unlike most
people he does not just stick to his idea.
He always considers other people's ideas and even puts them before
his. He is so carefree and jovial about everything! He is such an
exciting chap to work with!" he enthused.
No wonder we came across the sight of Adam, Luke and Dre fooling
around among the rejected clothes which they are to reuse to produce new
garments just before donning their 'serious' avatars. Out next question
on whether Lion Heart members had more time for fun than Reflex did not
go down too well with the student from Raffles Institute of Higher
Education.
"Of course not! There was not a single task we did not enjoy and end
up mucking around on. It is in our nature. Whether as designers or just
creative minds, we needed to be having fun or I am sure we wouldn't have
been able to perform. All the jokes and silly things we got up to were
all part of the experience," Indrajith opined.
"I was happy to be back on the tasks and meeting deadlines for the
one last time and to make sure that I put my best skills to work as this
is totally my field. I was more than happy to work with a bunch of my
favourite people," said Moratuwa University's Achala revealed on being
back on British Council's reality television show for aspiring
entrepreneurs.
As fans watch the scenes unfurling, they noticed that Udana's first
initiative was to define the concept and allocate responsibilities.
"While we were coming back from Hidramani, all the group members were
discussing and deciding over a brand. While we were playing with words,
especially with my name and cracking jokes on it, Luke came with this
'Ugly Duckling' concept. It is a play upon the first two letters on my
name! Then as we thought along those lines and it matched the concept of
making new fashionable outfits from stock-lot garments, followed up by
the story line of becoming a beautiful swan out of an ugly ducking. We
agreed upon developing our brand logo as a swan to make the idea clear,"
the Uva Wellassa University student explained.
Meanwhile Lara was very particular about sticking to the deadlines.
Being both a Lion Heart and Reflex member she had worked with most of
the competitors and knew the best means on how to make use of their
talents.
Elaborating her concept she said, "The whole idea was to give
something different and edgy. The most interesting fashion shows are
those ones that make you gasp then after the runway show, you can then
make a more wearable version of the outfit. We created fun, head-turning
clothing that can be worn to casual cocktails. It was based on a
'mature' branding and aimed for a classy, sophisticated customer."
That and more to look forward to in the upcoming week as models
sporting the new range of designs by Lara, Udana and their teams take on
the ramp. Who will bring home the crown? Lara or Udana? Catch British
Council's 'Ideators' next week at 9 pm on Independence Television
Network (ITN). |
