The British High Commissioner spoke about the business partnerships between the UK and Sri Lanka in the creative sector. He said, “The modern UK economy is based on innovation and sustainability. We have the largest creative industry in the European Union and one of the largest in the world. Our cutting edge fashion industry has always been a leader in key fashion trends, set by world famous designers such as John Galliano, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith and Julien Macdonald.
Sri Lanka also has a growing creative sector producing clothing, crafts and materials which appeal to major buyers in the UK and more widely. The collaboration between UK designers and Sri Lankan crafts producers will support them in their aim of further developing the range and quality of their goods for overseas customers.
Our event has highlighted the close partnership between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka in the field of fashion and design. This in turn can help to further grow our already very strong trade and investment relationship, illustrated by the many major Sri Lankan companies currently doing business with the UK”.
The British Council’s Country Director, Tony Reilly OBE, talked about the British Council’s work in the creative industries. He said, “As part of a global initiative, the British Council strives to connect the next generation of design professionals with UK industry & education networks. The British Council’s work in identifying and nurturing design entrepreneurs of the future includes the annual Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award. The British Council is also a knowledge partner for the annual Sri Lanka Design Festival and HSBC-Colombo Fashion Week.”
Another innovative British Council programme connecting young designers from both countries was launched. IDEATORS 3, is a reality-TV competition featuring 12 budding creative entrepreneurs from the UK and Sri Lanka. At the event, Tony Reilly launched Season 3 of IDEATORS. This year’s show will be telecast on ITN. The reality-TV show will showcase the entrepreneurial talents of emerging Sri Lankan & UK design graduates.
Linda Speldewinde, Founder and Managing Director of AOD, underlined the importance of providing a solid foundation to young fashion and design aspirants. She said, “The Academy of Design is one of Sri Lanka’s pioneering design educators and works in close partnership with Britain to strengthen the creative education sector in the island. Through a partnership with the prestigious Northumbria University School of Design, AOD extends world-class British design education to South Asia. AOD students are a unique result of a merger between British design education excellence and design students inspired by Sri Lankan art and craft traditions”.
AOD also showcased the potential of design and creativity for social and economic development in Sri Lanka. AOD’s Design for Sustainable Development (DFSD) project provides livelihoods and new market links for rural, marginalised and war-affected communities in Sri Lanka.
Guests enjoyed a special fashion show featuring designs from two previous British Council Young Fashion Entrepreneur Award winners, emerging Sri Lankan designers, AOD students and alumni and young designers from the University of Northumbria and Falmouth College of Art & Design. The ramp also exhibited a range of apparel manufactured in Sri Lanka for top UK labels.
Please click here to look at the image gallery of the fashion showThe United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our commitment to freedom of information. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.