HSBC supports 5 SL designers

Launched at HSBC Colombo Fashion Week 2022, CFW Accelerate is a programme that builds on many of CFWs other initiatives that help to create new pathways to success for promising young designers who aim to keep sustainability at the core of their designs.

At Colombo fashion week 2022, CFW Accelerate identified the best five highpotential emerging designers and these individuals were recently provided with funding to pursue their passion for fashion at HSBC’s Head Office in Fort, the organiser said in a media release. The candidates - Ayesh Wickramarathne, Divya Jayawickrama, Harinda Gunawardena, Nilusha Maddumage and Navindri Ranatunga, are now supported by the HSBC Fashion Fund and CFW, both financially and in terms of mentorship to support business development, fulfilling the promise of CFW Accelerate.

Mark Surgenor – CEO HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives said, “Through our support of CFW, HSBC seeks to not only support emerging talent, but to also contribute to the fast- developing fashion landscape of Sri Lanka.”

The designers were chosen with the hopes of rejuvenating and spurring on creativity and innovation, while promoting idea refinement within Sri Lanka’s fashion and design industry, which has faced severe challenges since 2020, with established players struggling and newcomers facing business closures and other hardships.