As the YFE Award 2011 winner, I was given the unique opportunity to attend a tailor-made study tour to the UK. One of my first stops was at the prestigious London College of Fashion (LCF). At the institute, I had the opportunity to discuss my work with Lynne Hammond, Manager of International Educational Consultancy, LCF. During the rest of my day there, the helpful staff at LCF offered their support and expertise to introduce me to their extensive network of industry partners.
I was also able to meet with the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, which allowed me to understand how they work and prepare for the large-scale event of London Fashion Week.
On the same day, I was given the opportunity to deliver a presentation at the British Council head quarters at Spring Gardens to an audience including prominent figures such as P M Amza (Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the UK), Nabeel Shariff (Marketing Manager UK & Ireland), Sonali Wijeratne (Head of Trade, Sri Lanka High Commission) and Dr. Lynne Hammond (London.
A main part of the tour was my participation at the well-known Alchemy Festival 2011. I felt it a privilege to represent my country as the only Sri Lankan creative entrepreneur at the festival. I was given the opportunity to display my work at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, along with fellow Indian winners. I received lot of good comments and feedback from the spectators who came for the exhibition. Further I was able to take part in the Alchemy debate, fashion show and a musical concert.
During my visit, I also had a few face-to-face meetings with key persons. A few days later, I met with Clair Harmer Co-founder of Ei8ht and leader in sustainable fashion at ASOS – a global online fashion and beauty retailer that offers over 50,000 branded and own label product lines across womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewellery and beauty products with approximately 1,500 new product lines being introduced each week. It was indeed a fabulous learning to visit their office and observe their departments and processes.
I also met with Rebecca Hoyle, textile designer and Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins. She shared with me important feedback on product development and contacts of UK creative bodies.
The YFE 2011 winner in India, Sanjay Gargh, and I, both had a joint meeting with Elizabeth Laskar Founder/Director Ethical Fashion Forum. I had met her before, but it was great to see her again in Oxford.
The interview with Kasuni Rathnasuriya, conducted during her study-tour in the UKI also had a mentoring session with Deborah Britz , where we focused on organising media meetings, shop research, and feedback on how collections can be marketed to an European Market. She took me to the main fashion high streets stores and explained about trends and consumer behavior.
On the last day of my Study tour, I had a meeting with TOPSHOP, which I felt was very important. It has always been a dream for me to incorporate my designs into a high street retailer like TOPSHOP. I was able to meet a few designers from the TOPSHOP design team and it was wonderful to know that they were impressed with my work. They also mentioned that they are keen on developing a range using eco-friendly lace. I am very pleased with the TOPSHOP meeting, as I feel it was very promising and probably the best meeting I had during my study tour.
I would say that it was with a stroke of luck that I had the chance to see Yohji Yamamato’s exhibition at V&A Museum, since he is one of my all-time favorite designers. I have always been inspired by his work and philosophy and was elated to be able to witness his art first-hand.
During the time that I had outside of my scheduled meetings, I was able to attend Asia Fair – another exhibition. I also had the opportunity to walk around Central London for sightseeing. Since this was my first visit to London, I was so excited with the ambience in the city. I had time to walk around most of the high streets such as Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Regent Street and was able to get an idea of their taste in fashion.
As a person who works in the creative industries, it was a great opportunity to have this unique chance to visit one of the main fashion hubs in the world and to have the opportunity to interact and network with likeminded UK contacts.
It was indeed a valuable experience, with ample learning and inspiration.
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