Sri Lanka Marks Its Presence At Fashion Asia 2011

By Sumaya Samarasinghe

What are the odds? A trendy hair stylist and one of Sri Lanka’s most loved and renowned painters seated together chatting about Fashion Asia 2011?
The chances of putting Marie Alles Fernando and Johann Peries in the same awards ceremony seemed initially slim.
However this did happen at Fashion Asia 2011 which took place recently in China. Known as the Oscars of the Asian Fashion World, the awards ceremony which began two years ago rewards annually “the outstanding accomplishments and excellent individuals in the fashion industry”.
The Jury composed of 160 judges from Mongolia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Philippines, Korea, India and Indonesia, is made up of persons working in the fashion industry from television producers to magazine editors… They have the difficult task of nominating and selecting the nominees who are sent from all the participating countries. In Sri Lanka’s case, Rosita Wickramasinghe who is the National Director of Fashion Asia in Sri Lanka had the arduous task of choosing and sending the country’s list of nominees. There are 19 award categories and Sri Lanka had nominees in five of them. In order to compete, the nominees chosen by the judges had  to be physically present at the awards ceremony.
Despite a career which spans over 40 years, the cool, calm and soft spoken Marie Alles Fernando calls her nomination in the Asian Top Fashion Creative Design of the Year her “crowning glory” mainly because being selected by such an international panel of judges showed how much importance they gave to the fine arts which sadly isn’t the case in Sri Lanka. Inspite of having exhibited both locally and internationally, Marie Alles  Fernando remains incredibly modest and aware of the plight of most artists who have the talent but no  financial backing to exhibit their work. “I have always been able to sponsor my own exhibitions. In the past, some people have sponsored me, especially the cultural department, but even they have stopped! It is not surprising since even among the general public, only a small percentage will spend their money on a painting, they would much prefer investing in a sari or a nice car.”
Johann Peries who has been in the hairdressing industry for 24 years was nominated in the category of Top Fashion Hair Stylist of the Year. He is the man behind Cutting Station which began 12 years ago and has gradually grown into one of the most successful salons in Colombo. Ambitious and driven with this trademark smile, Peries ventured into the Spa industry seven years ago. He too echoed the same sense of pride at being nominated for the  Fashion Asia  Awards which he says will soon extend the parameters of the competition by bringing in the Middle East countries.
“We need to create more awareness and that is why participating  in international platforms and networking can take us beyond our little comfort zone, this is fundamentally important. It takes you to a whole different level to know that you have been brought to a certain status as one of the nominees in the whole of Asia”.
When asked if this nomination has or will change anything for them, both agree that first and foremost this international recognition has filled them with positivity and a desire for creation. Marie Alles who generally paints scenes from Sri Lanka is preparing for an exhibition which for the first time will have paintings depicting China and India. Johann is planning to create his own show, which will have hair, fashion and a good story, something never seen before !
Fernando and Peries both strongly hope that their success which is an international acknowledgment of Sri Lanka’s talent, will help change the thinking patterns of a majority towards arts and performing arts, often perceived only as entertainment therefore with no specific need to be supported financially or in any other way.
Sri Lanka came out a winner in the Asian Top Fashionable Selling Brand of The Year awarded for the Yoland Collection. Designer Yoland Aluwihare was present to receive her prize. The Paradise Road Group was nominated under the Asian Top Fashionable Tourist Attraction of the Year, The Paradise Road Group and Nadisha Yapage was nominated in the category of Asian Top Fashion Model of The Year.