Sri lankan fashion changes with times

Remona Oshini understands the nitty gritty of the ever evolving fashion industry. She always experiences with newer trends and styles to keep up with the modern day clientale. But despite all the challenge and changes, the ace fashion designer describes her journey as “exhilarating”.

(Q) When did your passion for fashion arise?

(A) Creativity was in my blood from a very young age but identified fashion as a career at a younger age of fifteen. When I realised my inborn talent, I followed a course in designing soon after my high school education at the Colombo International school. After my London A Levels in Arts I followed a course at the Fashion at London College of Fashion. To be a designer was always my childhood dream

(Q) Whom have you inspired by your designs?

(A) I speak to many women through my designs. My creativity is designing silhouette for all body shapes and sizes. Through my collection and design I am trying to convey a message to the society to accept and appreciate women to help them to reset themselves. Women must be more fashionable, look more confident and presentable. . Proper dressing can make or destroy a women’s personality. In Sri Lanka plus size women carry a stigma of fear that they don’t look good My designs and ensembles always bring out the women in you. Dress smart,dress well and be confident this is my message to every woman. Women The trend among women is to have hour glass figure,to be slim and curvy. . This is all a myth,proper fitted silhouettes can make fashion statement.

(Q) You often believe of the future, being avant-guard. What does it mean to you?

(A) We should make a difference in the world of fashion and design to keep my love for local crafts alive so as to make the world witness the sheer beauty of treasures close to home.

Today we see an outburst of many artisans, arts and crafts, Most of the international fashion shows lay emphasis on local creativity and traditions. Local arts and crafts can be incorporated with style and elegance. The Indian designers make use of thier local artisans for embellishments for added glamour,.  We too have such beautiful arts and crafts and I am trying to promote the use of our local crafts in my designing process both locally and internationally. Sri Lankan designers should try to promote our local artisans, value their skills and talents.

We should strive to provide contemporary innovation to age old crafts. My couture and ready -to wear- collections are built around themes showcasing the extra ordinary skills of local artisans in a bid to preserve our rich historylive.

In India most of the designers are working with the craftsman when designing to connect the past with the future. We also should follow this example. My aim is to create a fund to help them to pursue their talent. I feel the local designers must come together to boost and promote our local artisans.

My creations have always been innovative through the western and eastern culture. I also design bridal gowns that are very similar with the west yet have a twist of the traditional eastern culture.

(Q) Your journey with the industry so far?

(A) My journey so far has been interesting. It has definitely gone from strength to strength but by no means it has not easy but there were ups and downs.. Since launching the brand in 2010 at Colombo fashion week platform, I have dipped my fingers in retail business as well as in successful retail events.

Right now I am been working with many international clientele as well. I have hosted many pop ups in US, UK and now planning to move to Middle East like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These are my plans in the pipeline. My organic ready to wear collection in batiks, is definitely a benchmark in the future to showcase Sri Lanka on the international ramp.

I have also recently made a decisive decision to travel the world while working remotely with my Sri Lankan team based here. My focus is to combine my two great passions travel and fashion. I feel it is a challenging task to promote a brand remotely, specially when I undertake to make made to measure orders. I am always available on line anytime and anywhere . The detailed attention I pay to each and every client is very important to me for my business.I label myself myself as a travel designer.

(Q) Do you think the Sri Lankan fashion scene has changed ?

(A) Sri Lankan fashion has changed with times. Creativity has definitely evolved and become better. We are also keeping abreast with international trends. The world of fashion has opened up new horizon not only abroad but in Sri Lanka too. Modern technology has brought about a revolutionary change in fashion

(Q) What do you think are some of the reasons behind your success?

(A) I am resilient and persistent. The word impossible is not in my vocabulary. You say jump, I ask how high? This is the principle I follow to continue my career. There were challenges and obstacles but I take them in good stride.

7) Your highlights of your career?

2010 Launching the brand at Colombo fashion week

2011 Launching our Bridal sector

2014 Asian Fashion week

2015 Launching the retail brand Zudhora as well as hosting retail events for International brands

2021 Launching our Organic Batik collection at The Design Collective Store

8) What are your goals and hopes?

My goal is to travel the world while hosting retail events in the countries I travel. Also I want to popularise my brand name Ramona Oshini around the world.

(Q) How and when did you decide to become a designer?

(A) My foundation was set at London College of fashion and then I wanted to fine tune my craft at Waltham forest college for an HND course in Women’s wear and the I got exempted one year to Join Kent institute of Art and design to finish my BA Fashion course. Then I joined MAS as a junior designer to gain experience in the technical world. 

(Q) Who is Ramona Oshini– Tell me about your brand?

(A) The brand Ramona Oshini is purely identified with quality and great design. We now focus mainly on our prét-a-porter collections with signature rose print and other batik prints . We use mostly organic pure silks linens and cottons. My batik collection has a signature style of is own namely breathtakingly beautiful .

(Q) Many designs in contemporary times reflect modern day glamour. What does that mean to you?

(A) Glamour is about confidently showing your style, it means standing on your own feet and explore through the arts of culture it’s the way you present yourself through strong shapes and detailed quality designs.

(Q)What inspires you when you design a new collection?

(A) My Inspiration comes from my travels to the Middle East, South Eastern countries and Europe. Every country I visit excites and inspires me and I capture them in photography . My last collection was inspired by Villa Palladio Jaipur, a vibrant collection with an array of vibrant reds and pinks and checkerboard prints. My next collection will be with many embellishments . to be launched at the Design Collective Stratford avenue branch soon.

Q: Could you describe the essence of your bridal atelier?

A: My silhouettes and sarees always surprise and delight my clients I focus on made to measure bridal and bespoke pieces that merge femininity with elegance and owns one of a land ensemble. I was hooked on colours, shapes and fine detail.

My bridal collection is known for its timeless elegance and craftsmanship. My bridal silhouettes are marked by superb fit, originality and has inimitable style. When creating a bridal gown, magic needs to be woven into the fabric. A bride must fall in love with her dress as it will stay with her forever as part of her history. My gowns and sarees always surprise and delight our clients. Remona Oshini bride or client owns a one of a kind ensemble. The bridal range consists of bespoke sarees, Oshani’s, bridal gowns and silhouettes for retinue as well.