Glamalert Hits The Runway

By Prashanthi Jayasekara
Pictures by Pavithra   Jovan De Mello

From monochromes and brocades, to military-inspired designs, Glamalert showcased some breathtaking style!

A white-washed runway starring right up at the silver painted hut, blaring techno music, and familiar faces of top level professionals from the fashion industry in the front row —all of this was just not enough to take one’s minds off the anticipation, for the most awaited charity fashion show of the year to take on lead. It took a couple of minutes, what felt like a long time, until the lights went on, and the Glamalert catwalk show began to a crack of thunder at the Park Street Mews, on the April 21.
Glamalert from High Street, a charity fashion show organised by the Rotaract Club of Centennial United, hit the runway to portray the beauty of fashion through fluid strokes of new and upcoming designers, and showcased the talent of amateur models. All proceeds from the evening will be contributed to help provide books to underprivileged schools in the outskirts of Colombo.
It’s quite amazing what designers can do with limited means. Vocabulary, shape, fabric, and colour seem like sparse materials to continually feed the fashion monster fresh ideas. At Glamalert, Ranga gave the spectators plenty to chew on with his military-inspired urban utility collection. His string of coats and vermillion eye makeup were spot on.  A military inspired theme was also observed in the collection “Hidden Beauty” by Suneth.
Manil and Nilakshi did a great job putting together two brocade-inspired collections, which were truly international. Manil’s sharp-shouldered sheath dresses, inspired by the traditional Chinese cheongsam dress, and Nilakshi’s indisputably gorgeous array of evening gowns with a touch of medieval rich and regal style, deserve especially elevated kudos.
Collections by Chevon and Uwani revolved around the simple beauty of monochrome. Chevon went for simple black and white looks, expressing a bold feminine statement. Uwani tried creating some contrast by varying the hue.
Chamira brought track and field to the runway, taking performance fabrics and fusing them with feminine lines. Vibrant spring colours took over the collections by Chamira, Anna, and Waruni. Anna brought a new trend of wrap-around skirts to the table. Waruni’s collection portrayed various shapes and styles of nature, and brought delight to the eyes of the spectators.
Mihiri’s use of the vermillion look for her collection helped deliver a strong message on violence against women. She also used an array of gorgeous masks and the power of choreography to convey this message. Tharindhu brought the legend of Robin Hood back to life with the use of earthy colours on his medieval-themed menswear collection. John Galliano has tried this before, and Tharindhu’s collection was equally spectacular.
Fashion is most enchanting when its energy, power, and supremacy are expressed through raw talent. What we witnessed at Glamalert is how Sri Lankan youth enjoy the freedom that the world of glamour has given them. The organisers, sponsors, and all those who helped are acknowledged with gratitude for paving the way for a detonation of unrestricted young talent.
Special thanks go out to Abstract and Tanaz Pestonjee, Head of Merchandising at Abstract, for making this event possible.
Project Chairperson Ama, the president Himesh, project advisor Bhagya and the team including the choreographer Umanga, did a brilliant job putting together an event which was one of a kind, and clearly their efforts have paid off.
The event sponsors were Abstract (main sponsor), Titan (co sponsor), Redbull, Esteem Magazine, Max Television, Maxa.lk, Extreme Youth, Malshan Flora, Mariyan Beauty Spa, and Ridgecrest Asia PVT LTD. The Production was carried out by Imagine Works.
Since it was chartered in 2009, the RCCU Magic Hub, one of the most vibrant clubs of the Rotaract family, has won many awards including ‘The Most Outstanding Newly Established Rotaract Club for 2009-2010’, ‘The Most Outstanding Community Based Rotaract Club for 2010-2011’, ‘The Most Outstanding Public Relations Project for 2009-2010’ and ‘The Most Outstanding Professional Development Project for 2010-2011’. Rotaract, the youth arm of Rotary International, is comprised of over one hundred and eighty thousand members from around the world. Rotaractors are committed to a common cause in serving the community, developing professional qualities among youth and promoting international understanding among all people.