Life style
Sticking to convictions and following a dream
The face of fashion is changing. Consumers today want to buy from local designers. They want to find unique pieces over mass-produced department store goods, express their values through their clothing, and support eco-friendly and sustainable businesses. So with this much more diverse and engaged pool of eager shoppers, fashion designers are popping up like wildflowers to meet these nuanced demands. But that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily a piece of cake for an independent designer to successfully break into the market and get her fashion brand off the ground. Sure, the rise of social media helps get access to interested buyers, and it’s easier than ever to start up a good-looking Instagram account to present to the world and start gaining an audience for their unique style concepts. But in the words of this designer Neshara “there’s no one-size-fits-all in this business anymore.”
by Zanita Careem
She is Hasara Neshanthi, who has the passion and love towards the fashion world. She started her career as a Banker following her Professional Qualification in Human Resources Management and Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
An highly performing banking professional, she was never satisfied with her career but always inspired to start something on her own. She loved fashion, and sewing Her mother has been a great influence on her life,and mastered almost everything from cross-stitch work, paper quilling, pot decorations, hand stitching, artificial plant making, sticker printing to screen printing on clothes and etc.). Finally in my late 20s (in 2017) I decided to follow my heart and determined to start my own fashion brand.
She started her Diploma in Fashion Technology at LIFT and completed it successfully.
But in 2018 she gave up her lucrative banking career and started perusing her own Brand named “Neshàra”. Neshàra encompasses a clothing brand which customizes women’s designer wear from Bridals, Sarees to Indian wear. As a brand Neshàra is always proud and focussed on attention to detail and hand embellishments. She believes fashion designing is also a world in itself, involving technology, creativity, media of expressing your own emotions, fashion, design and also business.
As a designer she would love to see customers delighted when they lay their eyes on the final product through her brand “Neshàra”. One of her desires is to do a fashion runway with a beautiful collection in future. “Although business has slowed down due to unexpected Covid-19 pandemic situation I am positive that everything will return back to normal so that we all can continue our beautiful lives from where it was halted.” she quipped
Your niche in the Fashion world?
“Neshàra” is a clothing brand which customizes women’s designer wear from bridals, sarees, Indian wear, evening wear to formal wear. I always want to create something unique yet simple. So, my niche market would be clients with unorthodox fashion desires
What inspired you to drop a top banking career and into fashion?
Even though, I was an oustanding banking officer but I was never satisfied. I was always inspired to build something of my own. Since i my childhood I have seen how hard my father struggled and worked as a businessman and became successful in his dream which inspired me to start my own brand and work hard on it.
What are the difficulties you experienced when getting started?
I believe, starting your own business is a bit of a challenging task. What I realized people are hesitant to count on new designers unless you have good connections of networking. In the beginning, I faced many difficulties or customize but never gave up I started an online store since I did not have the capital to invest ion a large scale Most importantly I also wanted to experience how the business would grow and l I chose Instagram and Facebook as my online promoting platforms. And I was struggling to gain customers . But I think you learn from mistakes you do. I took them as lessons and learnt from them so that I may be my own master soon.Also what I strongly believed is that you should never get disappointed or discouraged by my failures. Nothing is easy in this world and only thing you should do is never give-up on your dreams and keep working hard to achieve those.
Your Challenges at the moment
Due to Covid-19 pandemic lot of businesses are facing downfall and mine too is not an exception. I started my career in Fashion designing in October 2018 and it got really boosted around February 2020 where it started to get two three orders every month and Finally I thought yes my time has come. But unfortunately we have to face a lockdown and business dropped . That time it was difficult . to find some fabrics, machines, dye products and etc due to government ban on imports and we have to find alternatives and move on with the business with all the prevailing safety measurements.
Your latest collection?
Actually speaking I’m working on a wedding dress collection these days.
What is different and special about your Brand?
I always focus on unique, simple and on quality but yet fashionable designs. As a brand “Neshàra” is always proud and focused on attention to detail and hand embellishments.
A
Banking and Fashion are two different poles. How did you fit into designing so well?
As I told earlier, with the influence of my mother I believe I had the ability and talent for art since my childhood where I always tried to do a lot of creative work and I still have a collection of various artworks from stitching to painting to other craft work which I have done since my childhood. Fashion is also a mode of art so all came naturally with the love and passion I have for the creativity.
What are your future aim?
One of my desires is to do a fashion runway with a beautiful collection in future and starting a boutique is my goals Also I want to start catering to foreign markets in future. I know it is a big dream, but nothing is lost if you try hard
Will your Brand move out of Colombo ?
Yes I do cater out of Colombo as well. Even though it is hard to get measurements personally, I get measurements online or else design according to standard UK measurements with basic customer requirements
Is there anyone who is special on your journey into designing?
My parents, brother and my husband have been my strength from the beginning. My father and brother has been my criticizers to encourage me to do better and my mother and husband have been my appreciators who always appreciate my work and motivate me.
Also I’m forever thankful to Mrs. Roshani Leanage (chairperson at LIFT) and Ms. Niroshani Leanage (Managing Director at LIFT) for lifting me up and making me believe in my true potential with their kind words. I still remember what I was told on my final presentation in my Fashion Diploma at LIFT. They appreciated my work and told that they believe that I would go a long way if I start something on my own which also motivated and encouraged me to start my own brand.
Well, also I gratefully remind Natasha, who always pushed me, encouraged me and believed in me to take this decision in quitting the job and starting my own brand, Thushini, one of my best friends who gave me freedom to design her home coming lehenga without a second thought even before I start my brand even though she has not seen any of my work. And, of course my first official customer Imali and all the others who supported me in my endeavor.
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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