• A new chapter for designer Charini Suriyage

Renowned for her sophisticated design aesthetic and commitment to sustainable fashion, Charini Suriyage has long been a name synonymous with innovation and artistry. 

Her eponymous label, Charini, has gained both local and international acclaim for its signature blend of architectural influence, intricate detail, and deep-rooted environmental consciousness. Each piece from her collection tells a story. Crafted with luxurious reclaimed materials and Sri Lankan hand-woven silks, the garments embody a sense of contemporary elegance that is both mindful and meaningful.

Now, she is embarking on an exciting new journey with the launch of her latest venture, Charini Stories, located at One Galle Face. In the wake of this new addition to the Charini ecosystem, The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Charini for a chat on this new retail concept, how it differed from her flagship store at Deanston Place, and what it meant for the future of the Charini brand. 

Reaching a new demographic

As Charini explains, this new line represents a bold move to scale up, offering ready-to-wear pieces for the everyday client who seeks effortless, off-the-rack elegance without compromising on identity or craftsmanship.

“It’s important for me to clearly differentiate the two businesses in the eyes of the general consumer,” she explained. “Otherwise, there’s a risk of misconception, because the intentions behind each line are very different.” 

Drawing comparisons to iconic fashion houses that have expanded their reach through accessible sub-brands – like Miu Miu under Prada, or Armani Exchange under Armani – Charini emphasises the importance of resisting creative pigeonholing. “When you’re a niche brand, there’s value in staying true to your core identity, but there’s also power in adapting and scaling thoughtfully,” she said.

Charini Stories is, in every sense, a new venture with its own identity. From fabrication to silhouette, from production locations to design language, the line has been built from the ground up to cater to a broader market. “Visually, it’s very distinct,” she noted. “It’s a more retail-ready brand.” 

A key motivation behind this launch was to reach a demographic that Charini felt was underserved by her original model – shoppers, particularly tourists, looking for stylish, high-quality pieces they could purchase off the rack without the need for alterations or custom fittings.

“One Galle Face made perfect sense for this,” she added. “It attracts a lot of foot traffic from tourists, and from what we’ve observed, many of them are only in Colombo for a short time. This makes it the perfect place to introduce them to the brand in a way that’s immediate and accessible.”

Rooted in narrative

At its core, Charini Stories continues to uphold the sustainable ethos that defines the original Charini brand. 

“Sustainability isn’t something we’re adding on; it’s central to everything we do,” Charini said, adding: “In fact, with Charini Stories, we’re pushing even further into the realm of circular fashion. We chose the name because we want every collection in this space to carry a unique story – something that resonates not only with tourists but also with locals. 

“Let’s say you’re a visitor to Sri Lanka and you’re looking for a piece that’s stylish and globally relevant but still carries a local touch. Where do you go for that? This gap in the market is exactly what Charini Stories is designed to fill,” she explained.

Each collection is rooted in a narrative that blends cultural identity with modern design. For example, the Old Ceylon Collection draws inspiration from traditional architecture and heritage aesthetics, while the Temple Art Collection reflects the rich visual language of Sri Lanka’s sacred spaces. There’s also a Travel Sri Lanka line, featuring motifs that pay homage to tuk-tuks, winding coastal roads, and the spontaneous adventure of exploring the island. 

“It’s about giving every customer – whether they’re from here or just passing through – something they can connect to, something they’ll remember,” Charini added.

Reflecting identity, craft and culture

Beyond storytelling, the brand also aims to set a trend. “We want to offer bold expressions that are not just meaningful but also effortlessly cool,” Charini said. “Wearing these pieces should feel like a statement – of style, of identity, and of consciousness.” 

A critical part of the Charini Stories vision is its unwavering commitment to natural fabrics. “Everything is made with breathable, pure materials – cotton, linen, silks,” she noted. “This is essential, especially in our tropical climate. We want to offer comfort without compromising on luxury.” Charini positions this new line as affordable luxury – upmarket but accessible, with the added value of upgraded, high-quality materials.

This philosophy extends to the embellishments and techniques featured in Charini Stories collections. Expect to see beeralu lace, crochet, and other traditional handcrafted components subtly integrated into contemporary designs. 

“We want the brand to stay connected to Sri Lankan artisans and to promote sustainable design practices. This is not fast fashion; we’re deliberately designing pieces to be timeless. All the artwork is original. Our team creates each piece of fabric from scratch – some hand-drawn, others digitally rendered – but they’re all customised and carefully thought through. These aren’t commercially sourced prints. They’re designed to reflect identity, craft, and culture.”

“People know us as a print-focused brand,” she added. “So yes, there’s a strong print element, but we also work with batik, and our intention is to highlight Sri Lankan craft through modern silhouettes. We want our clothes to be something both foreigners and locals feel proud to wear – something they can speak about, trace back to its origins, and say, ‘this was made in Sri Lanka, and it’s handmade.’”

Charini is meticulous about silhouette and form. “I’m very particular about cuts,” she admitted. “I spend a lot of time refining them to make sure they’re relevant globally and won’t feel outdated in six months or a year. Longevity is part of the design.”

Charini Stories will also feature a curated selection of sarees, adding to the diverse offering while staying true to the brand’s aesthetic.

Local roots, global ambitions

So why now? For Charini, the timing of this new venture is deeply personal and intentional. 

“The brand is turning 15 this year,” she explained. “That milestone got me thinking: how do I celebrate that? I considered doing a fashion show, something big and symbolic. But then I thought, why not take a step that ensures the longevity of the brand instead? 

“This has been a long time coming. I’ve seen many brands rise quickly and fade just as fast. I didn’t want that for Charini. I wanted to take my time, think through every step, and build something that would last.” 

While Charini Stories is rooted in the local, its ambitions are global. “This is only the beginning,” she said. “The ultimate goal is to expand internationally, to establish the brand in new markets while proudly maintaining its Sri Lankan identity.” 

Launching a new business within an existing brand is no small feat, and Charini approached it with careful planning. “It took a lot of self-reflection – looking at myself, my team, our clients, and even the economy. I had to make sure the market here was ready for a shift like this. And now, I truly feel that it is.”

When asked what excites her most, she said: “These pieces are bold. And nothing would make me happier than seeing people here – Sri Lankans – wearing these bold, statement-making garments and being proud of their origin.” 

She reflected on the tendency to celebrate imported fashion, from India and other exotic locales, while overlooking the beauty of what is created at home. “We often wear international brands with pride. But what about wearing something that’s uniquely Sri Lankan? Something that tells a story from here?”

She envisions people wearing a dress that subtly features the imagery of the old Cargills building, or a print inspired by a tuk-tuk ride through Hikkaduwa. “Maybe it’s something that reminds you of a misty morning in Ella, or it’s handcrafted batik; there are so many stories that can be told through these clothes.”

Even for tourists, she hopes the garments offer more than a fleeting memory. “I don’t want them to just take home a souvenir that sits on a shelf. I want them to wear something that becomes part of their life – something stylish, meaningful, and truly Sri Lankan.” Her dream is for Charini Stories to grow into a global ambassador for local creativity and craftsmanship.

She noted: “Ultimately, my biggest dream is to see the brand firmly established overseas – to take a Sri Lankan fashion label to the world and make it last.”