Fashion
Collection that embodies confidence
by Zanita Careem
Shanith Fernando, a renowned designer with over 20 years of experience crafting one-of-kind continue outfits have adorned many celebrities and feshionistas He said “clothing is a form of self experience and a way to showcase one’s individuality. So when women wear my design. I want them to experience a sense of beauty, confidence, and a deep connection with their personal strengths.”
Shanith was the youngest in the family W.S. . He was a student of Alethea International School and engaged in many social activities. He studied medicine at American National College and transferred to Yoke University Toronto, Canada. He completed his degree in Missouri. Shanith had a passion fashion from a very small age. He designed his first ever bridal outfit when he was just 13 years of age. It was a hand embroidery dress this propelled Shanith to kick start his designing career.
Shanith launched his clothing line ‘Bellesza’ back in 2006 and later joined a five star airline in the Middle East and travelled the world. His designer label ‘Bellesza’ encompasses bridals and is a one stop shop for all bridal needs. The focus of his speciality is that he designs to bring out the personality in you and creates a fashion statement. “
Q:When did your passion for fashion arise?
A: My passion for fashion arose many decades ago while I was in primary school and later drawn to the world of couture of the modern day woman,blending cascading silhouettes,dynamic cuts, and elegant handcrafted touches.
Clothes, designs and the colours always fascinated me and my mother’s sense of fashion was also another reason that drew my attention and love for fashion from a very young age.
Q:Who have you been most inspired by though your designs?
A:I will not be able to pin point and declare an exact name but I can assure you everything around me including some popular individuals and fashion houses do inspire me. I draw my inspirations from nature, day to day activities and life and also from the travels I embark on to explore the world.
Q:What does innovation of western and eastern fashion forms mean to you?
A: It is an absolute necessity in terms of elevating the standards and creativity and comfort of garments to being cost effective. What I love about this idea is that it can give the world amalgamation of creativity.
Innovation and creativity are two main requirements for the sustenance of our industry and the forward movement of fashion. The dynamic fashion scene and appreciation of luxury provide the perfect platform to showcase my unique vision.
Q: Many designs explore modern day glamour what that means to you?
A: The world is now a click away to most consumers. Therefore, modern day glamour plays a vital role. People have moved on to be simple and elegant in thier dressing styles. Modern day glamour is all about simplicity. My omnipresence and sheer richness of design leaving competition if any miles apart, the beauty being that I take it all purely on the merit of my creative cadence,originality of design and depth of knowledge.
Q: How would you define the fashion scene in Sri Lanka and how it evolved over the years?
A: Fashion scene today is escalating to better standards and new heights. Many have entered the industry both as retailers and as companies catering to the mass market.Gone are the days when the market was monopolized by a few designers, today we have so any in the market and this I see as a good sign for the future of the fashion design.
Q:How do you manage to empower though the world of fashion?
A: Empowering, philanthropy, giving back to society and magnanimity are principles I live by.
I have provided employment to many for years. I believe helping a family to provide employment is far better than a simple alms giving or one time assistance. Paving a way for living is a great deed and I believe in creating more opportunity for people.
Working with orphanages is also another way I empower young and the homeless. Conducting workshops and channeling help through all my friends to support the kids is something I find immense pleasure.
Q: How has your work evolved since you began your own label?
A: I see it as a great journey that catapulted with one wedding saree at the age of thirteen. Today I run two labels; Bellesza for the ladies and Chulo for the men. I have further expanded my career into cake making and savouries under my company label Heavenly Treats.
Mahima Bridal Studio in Borella town is my beauty salon where my clients get the opportunity to treat themselves to all thier beauty needs while Bellesza Design studio in kalubowila seeks to cater to all customers seeking my designer label.
I have showcased my fashion shows at many international pageants,especially in India and dressed countless models,film stars and factionists here and abroad I take this journey as a blessing from God above and my parents who are looking down upon me from heaven.
Can you talk about your bridal attire ? My gowns are designed to flatter a woman’s figure with carefully crafted silhouettes that accentuate curves and create a stunning profile. I keep in mind the body shapes and personal preferences.
Q: What role do you think social media and digital content play in the world of fashion today?
A: Social media and digital content have revolutionised the fashion industry. They provide a global platform to showcase our work, connect with a broader audience, and stay in touch with our customers. They have made fashion more accessible, and its a powerful tool for brand visibility and engagement with fashion enthusiasts.
Now he has his own labels and a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s fashion scene.
By Zanita careem
Modelling is sometimes an undiscovered and unknown way, it might be something that you have dreamed about and to your surprise you are destined to that route.This statement holds so true for Ines, a model from France, she is a model and she knows how to nail it. Ines believes in uniqueness and the moment the camera turns on she is there to give that unique and perfect shot. Her styling secret is to go elegant yet comfortable.Ines loves to work hard to be the perfect one out there and this could be something that could really motivate and inspire other people.
Q: Tell us a little about you and what was life growing up?
A: I’m Ines, born and raised in Paris with a family rich in values, primarily emphasizing independence and an entrepreneurial spirit.
I’ve had a passion for traveling ever since my mother took my brother and me on a year-long world tour when I was 12. Since then, I’ve pursued my studies in hospitality management online, and my journey led me to Sri Lanka, where I’ve been living for five years now.
Meeting people has helped me practice languages, and after traveling to more than 20 countries, I speak 4 languages including Sinhala. I live in the southern part of Sri Lanka where nature, tranquility, and the sound of the ocean reign.
Q: How were you discovered and how has your journey being so far?
A: As a hospitality student during the COVID lockdown, I was approached by clothing brands to work as a model. Prior to moving to Sri Lanka, I had done photo shoots for friends’ brands and especially for my mother’s jewellery line, but I never imagined having a professional career in this field.
I embrace challenges and seize new opportunities, hence I embarked on a career in modelling, which grew to such an extent that I established my own company as a freelance model. Additionally, as a dancer and artistic director, I also work on creative concepts that go beyond the typical photo shoots in Sri Lanka.
Q: Have you always had a passion for fashion and modelling?
A: I discovered this passion when I began posing in front of a camera. As a child, I always enjoyed shopping and dressing up, but I never imagined it would become my profession, especially since I struggled with my weight when I was younger. I believe that nothing in life happens by chance, and if I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka, it is for a reason. This country is full of opportunities; one simply needs to work hard and stand out from the rest.
Q: Biggest hurdle what are some obstacles you faced?
A: I do not encounter specific obstacles in my professional career, but my weakness lies in my sociability. I need to continue working and managing my energy and preserving it for projects that truly bring me happiness. Given the high level of tourism in the southern part of the country, interactions are plenty but can be challenging.
Q: Some latest and up coming projects?
A: The latest project I am currently working on is establishing a career in content creation. I aspire to express and unleash my creativity while collaborating with brands and hotels that hold significance to me. A future project that I have dreamt of for a long time is launching my own clothing brand… but everything takes its own time…
Q: Top tips that keep you looking youthful?
A: Appearing young is of no importance to me; what truly matters is feeling comfortable in one’s own skin and being happy. Youthfulness is largely defined by attitude and energy. What brings me happiness is my family, projects, travels, dancing, and surfing.
Q: What are some of the pros of being a model?
A: The benefits of being a model include constantly being on the move and sometimes even travelling. Additionally, I am deeply grateful for the attention and care that teams provide; it makes me feel like a princess. Representing a brand or company also fosters self-confidence and gratitude.
8. Q: If you could change anything about the fashion industry, what would it be?
A: If I were to change something in the fashion industry in Sri Lanka, it would be to encourage brands to be more creative and accept models of diverse body shapes. Moreover, it’s crucial for them to recognize the beauty of the majority of the population’s natural, dusky skin tones. It’s time to dispel stereotypes associated with fair skin. Sri Lankan dusky skin is beautiful, and it’s imperative to stop labelling it as inferior to fair skin.
Q: What is your mantra?
A: My life philosphy is one of positivity towards everything I do and everything that happens to me. There is always a lesson to be learned
Q: Some of your favourite designers?
A: My favourite designer is Kami Hewavitharane and a brand labelled the Colombo Batik brand.. This brand produces unique and colorful designs and thier collections are breathtakingly beautiful.
Q: If you weren’t a model what would you be?
A: In addition to my career as a model, I work as a manager in hospitality and restaurant management. It’s one of my passions. Otherwise, I would have liked to pursue a career as a professional dancer, but it requires years of practice.
Q: So, has your perception of the fashion industry changed over time?
A: My perception of the industry has not changed much, but I feel now the industry has moved forward for the better. There is originality and creativity amongst most of the designers, and I see an increasing number of women venturing into it, which pleases me.
Q: What was the most important moment in your life?
A: What a difficult question haha! So many beautiful moments, and even the tough ones, have contributed significantly to my growth and evolution. However, the most crucial moment was staying in Sri Lanka despite the COVID conditions and France’s requirement for expatriates to return. I stayed back and took up challenges to pursue my own brand.
Q: What do you think about the state of fashion today?
A: I believe that the state of the fashion industry in Sri Lanka is undergoing significant evolution, with Sri Lankans becoming increasingly independent, liberated, and enterprising.
The little black dress plays such a starring role in our wardrobes that it has its own special designation: the LBD. Vogue’s Hamish Bowles takes us through its history, decade by decade, from Coco Chanel to Cushnie on black dress.
It’s Mademoiselle Chanel who is credited with popularizing the look and, in doing so, making the colour black, previously worn only when in mourning or to express piety (as in ecclesiastical garb), fashionable. In 1926 Vogue dubbed a drawing of one of her snappy, drop-waisted LBDs, “The Chanel ‘Ford’—the frock that all the world will wear.”
They did, and do—men have recently gotten in on the game—though not all carry the Chanel label. In the 1950s, Christian Dior defined the look of the LBD: full-skirted and wasp-waisted. The little black dress Hubert de Givenchy designed for Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s is as representative of the early 1960s as Yves Saint Laurent’s sheer, feather-trimmed number of the latter part of that iconoclastic decade.
Cocktail dresses and LBDs, which are defined by their short(ish) length, are often one and the same. One of the reasons neither will ever go out of style is that there are myriad ways to play “mixologist” with the spare, neat LBD to give it just the kick you want. Cheers!
The little black dress plays such a starring role in our wardrobes that it has its own special designation: the LBD.
In 1926 Vogue dubbed a drawing of one of her snappy, drop-waisted LBDs, “The Chanel ‘Ford’—the frock that all the world will wear.”
From the moment Coco Chanel presented it to the world in the 1920s, the eternal dress became a canvas that almost every designer wanted to weave something of their own into. Although it has moved away from its basic principles, the little black dress has retained the same charm and the same note of seductiveness it once had, and new variations, as with every season so far, also graced the runways in the fall/winter 2024 collections.
Ultra-short models shone on the runways from Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Giambattista Valli to Ferragamo, as well as many others, proving once again that the little black dress is a garment that will function in every collection and that will, ultimately, also surely be worn. Although the models of these fashion names differ and each has brought their own vision to the iconic dress, what they have in common is that they all serve as a good reminder that the charm of the little black dress does not fade and that we will always return to it, precisely because it is so timeless and versatile.
From the moment Coco Chanel presented it to the world in the 1920s, the eternal dress became a canvas that almost every designer wanted to weave something of their own into. Although it has moved away from its basic principles, the little black dress has retained the same charm and the same note of seductiveness it once had, and new variations, as with every season so far, also graced the runways in the fall/winter 2024 collections.
Ultra-short models shone on the runways from Tom Ford, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Giambattista Valli to Ferragamo, as well as many others, proving once again that the little black dress is a garment that will function in every collection and that will, ultimately, also surely be worn.
Although the models of these fashion names differ and each has brought their own vision to the iconic dress, what they have in common is that they all serve as a good reminder that the charm of the little black dress does not fade and that we will always return to it, precisely because it is so timeless and versatile.
At a very young age Thushani Rodrigo discovered her love for fashion. An entrepreneur and a fashion designer, she loves to create clothes and garments for people to wear with pride.
Sri Lanka’s fashion landscape is about to experience a transformative shift as Thushani Rodrigo, the visionary founder of Todos, introduces Bliss in Paradise her latest collection with the inspiring ethos, “Wrap Yourself in Kindness.” Under the theme “Fashioning Tomorrow,” Thushani’s collection invites individuals to embrace Vegan Silk as a symbol of kindness towards animals and the environment.
The ethos “Wrap Yourself in Kindness” embodies the essence of Thushani’s collection, emphasizing the importance of compassion and sustainability in fashion. Through the use of Vegan Silk, derived from eco-friendly plant sources, Thushani encourages individuals to adopt a lifestyle of kindness towards animals and the planet.
Despite facing a hearing impairment, Thushani Rodrigo’s passion and determination have propelled her to remarkable heights in the world of fashion. At the age of 16, she earned her Diploma in-Dress Making from Singer School, laying the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey.
Today, Thushani stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the fashion landscape. Her latest venture, which will be retailed at Cotton Collection underscores he- unwavering commitment to ethical fashion practices and environmental responsibility.
Vegan silk, also known as “plant-based silk” or “cruelty-free silk,” serves as the cornerstone of Thushani’s groundbreaking collection. Derived from sustainable plant sources, Vegan Fabric offers a sustainable and animal-friendly alternative to traditional silk.
Thushani’s designs, meticulously crafted from Vegan Fabric, embrace the female form while seamlessly blending sensuousness with practicality.
The launch of Thushani Rodrigo’s Vegan Fabric Collection with Cotton Collection heralds a new era of sustainable fashion in Sri Lanka. By embracing cruelty-free materials and ethical production practices, Thushani paves the way for a more conscious and compassionate fashion industry.
Join us in celebrating this monumental milestone in sustainable fashion as Thushani Rodrigo and Cotton Collection redefine the future of style with their innovative Vegan Fabric Collection.
For media inquiries, please contact: Ruwanthi Rodrigo 0777660477
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- Talented Tushani Rodrigo
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
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