Colombo Fashion Week goes for socially responsible look

It was the eighth year of the Colombo Fashion Week, but the year 2011 marked a first — the launch of South East Asia’s first Ethical Fashion Week. Held on the second day of the event, it saw the participation of 11 designers. From fair-trade to ethical practices in developing fabric, all the participants were highly thoughtful with their collections.

Image consultant Prasad Bidapa, who’s also a director on board the Colombo Fashion Week, says, “We aim to make Colombo the hub for ethical fashion. There are already many youngsters who are adopting an ethical approach to fashion here. With the first ever Ethical Fashion Week in South East Asia, we hope to create a ripple effect.”

Prasad adds, “We have had a fair representation of participants from across different countries, some of them pioneers, like Bibi Russell from Bangladesh, Samant Chauhan from India and Rizwan Beyg from Pakistan. It takes fashion to the next level, where it should ideally be heading to. We all need to bring about a sense of responsibility in what we do. An Ethical Fashion Week was always on the cards.”

Bibi Russell, who kick-started the initiative with a collection that depicted her personality, says that fashion should always go hand-in-hand with noble causes. The designer from Bangladesh, who is arguably one of the biggest names in the sub-continent, has employed over 35,000 people and is reviving a lot of the traditional practices.

The aim for this fashion event is to soon permeate into India. “From Colombo, we hope to take this to India next and then ensure that people across Asia, both the consumers and the designers, understand the importance of social responsibility in the fashion industry,” explains Prasad.

It was no wonder that Prasad chose to have two people from India represent the nation in this week. “Samant is one of the pioneers in ethical practices, be it in the weaves or the fabrics, he has a very sensitive approach to fashion. Masaba Gupta represents the younger India, who wants to connect to their roots and revive traditional practices. She is already working with a lot of the weavers and craftsmen in South India, especially working towards the cause of providing opportunity to women.”

Rizwan Beyg, who is an institution by himself, having styled people like the Princess of Jordan, Jemima Khan and even the late Princess Diana, is very upbeat about this cause. “It feels amazing to be part of the first ever Ethical Fashion Week. It is a big event, people need to understand how important it is. I hope to promote and support ethical fashion as long as I can.”

The event saw a lot of cottons, batik work and other traditional forms of weaves take centrestage. Some of the designers who showcased these collections were also showcasing for the first time ever at a fashion week. One of the notable collections that were showcased that evening was by Ultra, a Malaysian brand that aims at sustainable fashion. The designers showcased a collection of bodysuits made with recycled leather.

The event also had someone special attending it, Isabelle Quehe, who is the president, Ethical Fashion Week, Paris. Being one of the pioneers in creating a global platform for fashion with social responsibility, Isabelle said that she was marvelled by some of the designers and hopes to have them as part of her show too.

“We have the shows in Paris in September. We’ve had representation from India. Samant has showcased with us, so also has Roopa Pemmaraju. I like their outlook towards fashion. I’m also very familiar with Bibi and her work. I think she is a marvellous person. This time, I was particularly amazed by Rizwan Beyg’s work. I liked his collection and I hope to introduce it to the European market,” says Isabella.

She gives her thumbs up to the event and hopes to see more such talent from Asia. “Asia is the backbone of the fashion industry. It is nice to see so much of talent here, all of them looking at fashion from an ethical point of view. It is a great step and I hope to see a lot more people adopt an ethical outlook towards fashion,” adds Isabella.