• A celebration of design and craft

‘Colombo Fashion Week Summer 2025,’ presented by Mastercard, marked its 22nd year with a dynamic showcase of Sri Lankan and international talent, reinforcing its status as a leading platform for South Asian fashion. 

The Summer Edition spotlighted emerging designers alongside established names, with an impressive international lineup featuring India’s Suket Dhir and Urvashi Kaur, as well as Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas.

A key highlight was the introduction of the Craft Fashion Fund, aimed at preserving Sri Lanka’s artisanal heritage by supporting designers integrating traditional crafts like batik. The commitment of Colombo Fashion Week to nurturing young talent was further solidified with the Emerging Designer initiative, introducing 15 fresh voices to the industry.

Expanding its global reach, Colombo Fashion Week joined the BRICS International Fashion Federation, facilitating designer exchanges and fostering cross-cultural collaborations. 

Hosted across Colombo’s premier venues – Shangri-La, Taj Samudra, and Cinnamon Grand – the event brought together creative minds from Sri Lanka, India, Italy, and Russia, with standout collections from international designers like Cettina Bucca, Suneet Varma, and J.J. Valaya. 

These were presented alongside celebrated Sri Lankan designers such as Fouzul Hameed, Sonali Dharmawardena, Asanka De Mel, Aslam Hussein, Dimuthu Sahabandu, Indi Yapa Abeywardena, and Charini Suriyage.

With a strong focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation, ‘Colombo Fashion Week Summer 2025’ reaffirmed its role as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s fashion industry, bridging heritage with contemporary design on a global stage.

PHOTOS LALITH PERERA