• Kanchana Fernando of Certitude by K on fashion and purpose 

Sustainable fashion isn’t just about recycling fabrics or cutting waste; it’s about reimagining the purpose of clothing, honouring craft, and using creativity as a tool for change. In an age where fast fashion and excess dominate wardrobes and headlines repeatedly warn of the dangers of the climate crisis, a quiet revolution is taking place, led by designers who are proving that style and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. 

Equally powerful is the act of chasing a dream, especially when that dream defies conventional paths. Whether it’s turning childhood passions into a profession or walking away from stability to follow a purpose, stories of dreamers who carve their own way offer inspiration far beyond the runway.

Kanchana Fernando is one such dreamer. Through her brand Certitude by K, she is not only redefining what sustainable fashion can look like but is also showing what is possible when passion, purpose, and persistence come together. Having first started Certitude by K in Sri Lanka, she has since taken the brand to Canada and the US, showing twice at ‘New York Fashion Week,’ once at ‘Los Angeles Fashion Week,’ and also at ‘San Francisco Climate Week.’ 

Now back at work in Sri Lanka and building the first community art space of its kind in Dambulla, Kanchana sat down with The Sunday Morning Brunch for a chat on what inspired Certitude by K and how she sees sustainability and creativity shaping the future.

Style in her DNA

Raised in a family deeply involved in the textile arts – her parents had their own batik factory in Moratuwa – Kanchana grew up inside her parents’ factory. 

“My parents were so busy with the factory that it became a place for us to play and learn. There were no restrictions,” Kanchana recalled. “My mother was also very conscious about clothes. We didn’t always have money to buy new clothes, but she would always make sure we were the best dressed.  She would stitch outfits for me for every new occasion.”

That early immersion in creativity laid the foundation for a future in fashion. Kanchana remembers sewing clothes for her Barbie dolls and, in Grade 7, deciding to stitch her school uniform because her mother was busy. “From that moment, I loved wearing something new, getting compliments for it, and, especially, being able to say I made it myself.”

Despite her passion for fashion, Kanchana’s academic journey took her down a different path. After her A/Levels, she considered applying for a fashion degree but was discouraged by the prevailing attitudes at the time. “Back then, fashion wasn’t well-reputed. People didn’t value the garment field,” she said. 

Instead, she chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, something she now considers both a regret and a blessing.

“Looking back, I didn’t like the subjects I studied, but I’m grateful. Those different streams shaped me into a different kind of person.”

Breaking into the industry

A turning point came when she entered a fashion design reality show and ended up becoming the first runner-up after designing a saree. 

That led to an opportunity in Pakistan, working with a bridal designer who needed someone with a rare combination of creative flair and mathematical thinking. “She wanted someone who could manage both the workshop and the numbers,” Kanchana explained. “I worked there for a year and learnt totally different skills.”

In 2011, she joined MAS Holdings, one of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel companies. On her first day, she was asked to write down her short- and long-term goals. “I had no idea how to do a collection or a fashion show, but I wrote that I wanted to do a fashion show one day. It was a dream and I just put it down.”

At MAS, Kanchana worked on product development and merchandising for international clients like Nike. “I gave 200% to everything I did,” she said. Her dedication was recognised, and she was supported to pursue her design interests. 

She then entered the ‘Sri Lanka Fashion and Apparel Awards’ organised by Academy of Design (AOD) as part of ‘Sri Lanka Design Festival’ (SLDF), and MAS even allowed her to use its sample room to stitch her collection.

“That was the trust I had built,” she said. “My boss was very supportive. The first collection I made didn’t have a theme or proper coordination – it was hilarious – but it was the beginning.”

Seeing a collection by the brand Lonali introduced her to the concept of sustainable fashion. “I didn’t even know it was a thing. That was my introduction to it,” she added.

In the process of competing, Kanchana was mentored by SLDF Creative Director Karen MacLeod, who helped her refine her work and saw something deeper. 

“Karen really guided me. She saw me as a passionate person working one of the most stressful jobs – merchandising – but still finding time to create. She encouraged me to explore how I approached my collection. She told me: ‘You’re known as a saree designer. Combine saree elements with denim.’ That’s how I created a fusion of Western and Eastern jackets with batik panels and draped denim pieces.”

Denim, batik and the start of Certitude by K

Kanchana’s lightbulb moment came when she upcycled a stained pair of jeans using batik. “That’s when I realised what upcycling really was. I didn’t know the word at the time, but that’s what I was doing.”

She began collecting old denim and building an upcycled collection, which became the foundation of her brand. With Karen’s support, she pitched a collaboration with LiCC Jeans. 

“They weren’t really interested at first. But they gave me rejected garments and told me to do what I wanted,” she said. “When I finished the collection, they were so surprised. It had a Gucci vibe with silver chains and styling. That’s how we ended up launching an official collaboration – Jeanaration.”

The collection debuted at a major fashion event organised by LiCC Jeans. “I had 12 looks and most models were from India. It got a lot of attention.” But despite the creative success, marketing proved a challenge. “LICC’s market was general, but mine was more premium. People didn’t understand why they should pay for a rejected garment. That taught me a huge lesson – marketing matters so much.”

Still, the collection cemented her growing reputation. MAS awarded her ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2017, and shortly Women in Management recognised her as an emerging entrepreneur. She was also promoted within MAS, eventually handling high-profile clients like Lululemon.

In 2017, Kanchana travelled to New York with Lululemon. Standing in Times Square, she had a powerful moment. “I thought, what if one day my brand was here? I even posted about it.” That dream would come full circle years later.

Inspired by her growing understanding of sustainable fashion and storytelling, she officially launched Certitude by K in 2020. “My parents’ brand was Sanathana Batik. Sanathana means ‘certainty.’ So I named my brand Certitude by K. It felt aligned.”

The Covid-19 pandemic hit just months after the launch. But Kanchana remained committed to her team, even paying salaries for six months out of her own pocket. “I didn’t have a cent left for myself, but the satisfaction of taking care of other families gave me a bigger purpose.”

To diversify, she started a spice business and helped her parents run a small rice pack delivery service. In 2022, when the economic crisis struck, she considered leaving Sri Lanka, but ultimately stayed. “I had job offers abroad, but I wanted to build something here.”

Building a global presence

Kanchana travelled between Canada and the US for nearly three years, showcasing at ‘Hamilton Fashion Week,’ ‘Los Angeles Fashion Week,’ and pop-up markets across North America. “I used to carry my collection in a suitcase and walk into boutiques,” she said. “One store in Hamilton loved it and gave me four looks in the fashion week. I ended up doing nine.”

Her unique aesthetic – a bold, artistic blend of upcycled textiles, Sri Lankan motifs, and contemporary silhouettes – stood out in North America’s sustainability circles. Certitude by K became a talking point at ‘San Francisco Climate Week,’ and she was invited to judge ‘Mr. and Mrs. Canada,’ also sponsoring sustainable jewellery.

“In Canada, they don’t care where you come from. They care about your story,” she said. “That was what appealed to them.”

In 2024, Kanchana was invited to show at ‘New York Fashion Week’ (Runway 7). It was a moment she had visualised years ago. “It was strange. On the day of the show, I walked past Times Square and realised it was the same date I had visited in 2017. I believe in manifestation; it really works.”

Coming home to Dambulla

Now, Kanchana is bringing her focus back to Sri Lanka. She is currently building a Certitude by K studio in Dambulla – a boutique, workshop, and artistic retreat space with a small café and community engagement. “It’s close to the temple and on the A9 road, which is a great tourist hub. My mother found the space, and I thought, let’s build here.”

The Dambulla space will open this August, built entirely with her own money. She is also exploring expansion on Sri Lanka’s south coast with investor interest from Canada and San Francisco, and plans to launch in North America officially.

Later this year, she will design an upcycled eveningwear outfit for a finalist at ‘Miss Europe Continental’ in Italy – her first time showcasing in Europe.

For Kanchana, fashion is about more than clothing; it’s about energy. “The feeling you get from wearing something you love – that’s what I’m most passionate about,” she said. “I have pieces I have edited and upcycled many times. They’re sustainable, stylish, and full of life.”

She doesn’t believe in rigid plans or vision boards. “I don’t write anything down. I don’t even sketch that much. Everything is a mind game for me. I wake up happy and sleep happy. Sometimes I just feel that I want to do this. And somehow, I move towards it.”

After leaving MAS, she slowed down intentionally. “I used to be a workaholic. But now I think more, reflect more. And I feel like the right things come to me.”

For young designers, Kanchana has this to say: “Designers are often introverts. They love creating but hate marketing. You need someone to share your story. I think that’s where my experience helped me; I wasn’t afraid to talk about my work.”

She emphasises the importance of learning before launching. “Out of university, people want to be entrepreneurs right away. But there’s so much to learn working under someone; how to handle stress, pressure, people, and politics. All that helped mould me into who I am.”

And above all, she says: “Passion, determination, and hard work reign supreme; if you give 200%, you can make any dream come true.”