Best of Sri Lankan apparel at SLDF 2012

09 Nov '12

5 min read

Sri Lanka Design Festival’s (SLDF) 2012 edition is taking shape with an all-encompassing portrayal of the best of Sri Lankan apparel and backward integration industries. The many apparel focused events at the festival bring together the outstanding work ethics of ‘garments without guilt’, sustainability, best solutions to shrink the supply chain and costs, international networking opportunities, business to business and most importantly – design.

SLDF’s 2012 will be held from 15^th November to 18^th November.

Big brands and bigger names; apparel celebrities at SLDF

A personality to look out for at SLDF 2012 is Britain’s lingerie queen; Michelle Mone (OBE), whose multi-billion pound lingerie brand MJM International, has won her the status of a fashion icon.

The dynamic duo Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson from The Future Laboratory revolutionary trend forecasting, research and brand innovation consultancy who have presented thought-provoking ideas in UK, US, Germany, Australia, Denmark and several more countries across the globe will be speaking at SLDF.

Other influential personalities visiting Sri Lanka for the festival include Kurt Cavano – the CEO of TradeCard – listed among World Trade Magazines world’s 50 most influential people, Stephen Forte – Coats Thread Global Sales Chief, and Mike Todaro, AAPN’s Managing Director, along with David Burnbaum – renowned apparel strategist and author of books like ‘Importing Garments Through Hong Kong¾ – a Guide for the Perplexed’ and the monthly global newsletter ‘The Birnbaum Report’.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) will also be part of SLDF sharing their progress in the ethical fashion sphere. SAC is an industry-wide group of over 60 leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, suppliers, non-profits, and NGOs working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.

SLDF has had some big names taking part in it annually; M&S, Topshop, NEXT, H&M, Warehouse, Ted Baker, Asos and Whistles are just a few. Global supply chain giants taking part in SLDF 2012 include Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Coats Thread and TradeCard, while the top South Asian and local participants pioneering in technology and ethical initiatives while securing some big client names like Victoria’s Secret and Tommy Hilfiger; these include MAS Holdings, Hirdaramani, Brandix, Maliban, Star Garments and Penguin. 2012 has new additions to SLDF with retailers and international apparel makers including PVH, VF Corporation and Monsoon.

Regional solutions by global decision makers; South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum

With over 100 professionals in apparel manufacturing, supply chain services, ethical fashion, retail brands, media and opinion leaders, the second annual South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum (SAALF) will be held this November in Colombo, Sri Lanka.