Graduation Fashion Show begins today

Sara Pathirana

The Graduation Fashion Show 2013 which will begin at the Hilton Colombo today is the catwalk staging of the final year undergraduates of the Fashion Design and Product Development Degree Course that is conducted by the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology of the University of Moratuwa which is one of the most developed technological university centres in Sri Lanka today. The fashion show is anticipated to be a unique event when compared to other fashion extravaganzas.

Emeritus Prof. Lakdas Fernando, founder of the Department of Textile & Clothing Technology gave an insight into this year’s event. He explained that the show comprised the continuation of the degree course, for which the final year was wholly dedicated to. “With assistance from the London College of Fashion of the University of the Arts, London, the degree course that is conducted at the university orients the student to be well-informed about the fashion industry and the course is well-sought out and industry oriented,” Prof. Fernando explained.

With the current and future trends showing emphasis towards the market area, buyers too look at this side of events where information related to the industry, designers’ profiles and ideas can be obtained. Where the degree course is concerned, the entire programme is quite different to other courses as the final year is entirely devoted towards preparation for the students. This course is recognized to help students obtain employment abroad.

Fashion is changing rapidly presently and is one of those entities where the public get to see swift changes not only in the country but globally as that provides with the main aspect for these developments when in comes to fashion. “More technological innovations are being applied in fashion to obtain not only new creations but to also achieve that foundation to be able to penetrate markets worldwide. Earlier, it was mostly about colours and textures but now we can see original and technologically enhanced finishes to fabrics. The new trend that is being focused upon is fibres that can be electronically enhanced to change colours,” Prof. Fernando added.

“Nearly 50 students will be participating for this show though a panel of judges has gone through a pre-selection procedure for designs that are commercially viable would be showcased at the catwalk. Passing out students would be given the chance to work closely with the industry, where marketing knowledge and fashion intelligence would be acknowledged, Prof. Fernando added.