Amilani and UNFPA join to fight violence

by Zanita Careem

Partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic, or geographic boundaries and can affect anyone, regardless of their status in society. Fashion has a universal appeal and can be a powerful tool to address and create awareness and empower communities to challenge norms and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Amilani Perera, embarked on a partnership in 2020 to address the issue of violence through the fashion and the apparel industry. Women engage in the apparel industry in all aspects, from designing, producing, modelling and beyond, and we must ensure these women are treated equally in their chosen field of employment Through the partnership with UNFPA, Amilani Perera will engage survivors of violence in product development, while conducting mentoring programmes to enhance their fashion and design skills.

She is a designer who, thinks out of the box and she is noted for her unique collections which are structured with elaborate details. , Amilani’s clothes make a bold statement A familiar face at CFW Amilani has always ensured her collections make a statement. Partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic, or geographic boundaries and can affect anyone, regardless of their status in society. Fashion has a universal appeal and can be a powerful tool to address and create awareness and empower communities to challenge norms and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Amilani Perera, embarked on a partnership in 2020 to address the issue of violence through the fashion and the apparel industry. Women engage in the apparel industry in all aspects, from designing, producing, modelling and beyond, and we must ensure these women are treated equally in their chosen field of employment Through the partnership with UNFPA, Amilani Perera will engage survivors of violence in product development, while conducting mentoring programmes to enhance their fashion and design skills.

Can you trace back your career, and your first public appearance

In terms of public appearance I go back to more than 11 years when I was a first year fashion student at Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore in 2010 and where my work was selected by the Italian brand GAS jeans . It was a great moment in my life and I was the first Sri Lankan to be featured in the prestigious Catalogue the Fashion Magazine in Singapore.

My pubic appearance at the Colombo Fashion Week ,under my brand label AMILANI PERERA and I was featured on Fashion TV as well. 

What is your role in UNFPA, and mention the connection between UNFPA and Fashion:?

I introduced a programme with UNFPA Sri Lanka to uplift and empower abused women in Sri Lanka by engaging them in product development and conducting programmes empowering them. Every year, the collection I showcased at the Colombo Fashion Week reflected gender based vio and abuse in Sri anka Violence against women in Sri Lanka has taken a bitter turn and it is common among all communities The proceeds collected were used to provide shelters to the abuse and the needy

HOw you define the corerelation between gender violence and fashion ?

In Sri Lanka, most workers in the garment industry are women. Generally the focus on women is all about beauty and style , but no attention is paid to the gender based violence and this cuts across all communities and all sectors of society, . Fashion is a universal language and can be used to promote unity anf peace..

What is the underlying theme of your collectiom “unbreakable” mean?

The collection UNBREAKABLE was designed to raise awareness on violence against women and girls, which is a pertinent and serious issue among all communities .muslims, Sinhalese and Tamils that run accoss economic, social, or political boundaries.

Working together with our team of skilled artisan craftswomen, ‘UNBREAKABLE’ features Amilani Perera’s very own hand paintings and woven fabrics to help woman in need

The collection is a collaboration that gives voice to all fearless survivors of violence. I’m extremely delighted to announce that my Collection UNBREAKABLE reached many corners of buyers in Tokyo, Japan and will also be retailed at the store 3.T.H.R.E.E.A by August 2021.

Continuing our mission with UNFPA we launched the collection to raise awareness on societal responsibility by protecting survivors of domestic violence. The collection incorporated fabrics weaved by survivors of violence. The proceeds will help to build shelters to many survivors of violence

Say something about your collection,namely haute c outure, street styles and bridal collection? 

We create bridal designs not only for Sri Lankan brides. Our brand is exclusively for brides all over the world. The portfolio contains exclusive bridal sarees, traditional Kandyan bridals to bridal gowns. We cater bespoke designs to other occasions as well.

Apart from bridals we have a designer denim casual line exclusively retailed at the Design Collective store.

Your Signature style and style

philosophy? 

Style is a story. It portrays you, your personality and your movements and how you enjoy every moment. So, my style differs accordingly.. may it be uplifting the less fortunate or by a helping many others ro make them happy and contented

Your future plans? 

Once the prevailing pandemic dies down ,the future plan is to continue showcasing international fashion shows. We have already showcased at the Asian Designer Week and in USA/ the Sri Lanka fashion week in the fashion capital of New York.

I will also continue my work with UNFPA.

Once I make an investment based on the concept of changing people’s lives, it brings inner peace and happiness.