{"id":149691,"date":"2025-02-26T02:07:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T02:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=149691"},"modified":"2025-02-26T02:09:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T02:09:56","slug":"a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-sri-lankan-batik-and-heritage-shine-at-foma-runway-by-kay-alahakoon-author-of-chasing-a-boomerang-and-the-bridges-we-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-sri-lankan-batik-and-heritage-shine-at-foma-runway-by-kay-alahakoon-author-of-chasing-a-boomerang-and-the-bridges-we-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"A Kaleidoscope of Cultures:  Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine at FOMA Runway  by  Kay Alahakoon, author of \u2018Chasing a Boomerang\u2019 and \u2018The Bridges We Cross\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #910630; font-size: 24px;\">A Kaleidoscope of Cultures:<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #910630; font-size: 24px;\">Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine at FOMA Runway<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #910630; font-size: 24px;\">by<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366; font-size: 20px;\">Kay Alahakoon, author of \u2018Chasing a Boomerang\u2019 and \u2018The Bridges We Cross\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149692 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine-e1740534657777.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Stepping into the Ivy Sunroom on George Street, Sydney, on Saturday, October 12, felt like entering a world alive with colour, lively chatter, and electric anticipation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Representatives from 15 countries arranged stalls in every corner, each team<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">collaborating with dedication and pride. Among them stood the Sri Lankan corner, a vibrant display proudly waving the Sri Lankan flag.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Nalika Padmasena OAM and the team from the Sri Lankan Australian Women\u2019s Network (SLAWN), Shivani and Dheeraj (Raj) from Saree Selection, Sepali Malalasekara from Stitches by Vedette, and batik artisan Gayani De Alwis from Nimreka Batiks\u2014who couldn\u2019t attend in person but contributed by creating material for the event\u2014worked tirelessly to bring Sri Lankan craftsmanship to the Fabric of Modern Australia (FOMA) runway. Despite limited resources and no support from the Sri Lankan authorities, their determination shone through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">FOMA is more than a runway; it\u2019s a platform showcasing voices from over 36 countries. This year, SLAWN\u2019s immense effort secured a debut presence for Sri Lankan fabric artisans. They fused cultures through a unique collaboration between SLAWN,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Saree Selection, and renowned Aboriginal artist Dr Leonard Smith, a Biripi Elder. The partnership combined Australian native gum tree flowers with Aboriginal artwork\u2014such as Emus and Kangaroos Dreaming, Sun Blast Dreamtime, and Bora Circles\u2014printed on pure silk, cotton, georgette, and viscose using traditional Javanese and Sri Lankan batik techniques. These vivid fabrics celebrated 65,000 years of Aboriginal heritage<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">intertwined with Sri Lanka\u2019s 2,500-year history.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">\u201cI was privileged to attend the FOMA fashion show in Sydney in November 2024. Witnessing Sri Lankan creativity and design on such a prestigious stage was exceptional. The fusion of fashion with Aboriginal art, accompanied by traditional<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">drumbeats, was captivating. Kudos to the team that worked so hard to make this day possible,\u201d said spectator Nayomi Munasinghe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Yvonne Bandara&#8217;s mesmerising dance, synchronised with Shane<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Edippuliarachchi\u2019s drums, bridged tradition and runway elegance, affirming SLAWN\u2019s vision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Nalika Padmasena said, \u201cpresence at FOMA means, Sri Lankan women&#8217;s small business entrepreneurs shone internationally. SLAWN collaborations are to bring maximum impact.\u00a0 This time teamed up with Saree Selections, Stitches by Vedette, Nimreka Batik, S. K. Wickramasinghe Masks, Thaushi Dimantha Designs, and Dr Leonard Smith to blend Aboriginal arts with Sri Lankan Batik for our debut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">By evening, the Ivy Ivy Sunroom was buzzing with Sydney\u2019s fashion elite. As<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">models showcased batik sarees and modern beachwear to the beat of Shane\u2019s drums, each garment embodied the essence of Sri Lankan culture. Among the standout pieces was a saree inspired by native Australian flora, alongside Thowshi Dimantha\u2019s youthful, fresh creations. Together, these designs symbolised a seamless cultural exchange, with their elegance further exemplified by a standout saree in the classic Kandyan Osariya style.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">\u201cIt was a pleasure to witness cultural storytelling, collaborative cultural design with modern adoption while creating a platform for emerging designers,\u201d said a local radio show host and producer, Pri Abayakoon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Behind the glamour, however, were significant challenges. Despite repeated requests, the Sri Lankan authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Lankan High Commission in Australia, and Sri Lankan Airlines offered no support. Yet, SLAWN\u2019s perseverance, drawing on personal resources and community collaboration, empowered women entrepreneurs and celebrated Sri Lankan heritage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">FOMA promotes cross-cultural engagement and diversity in fashion, uniting<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">communities and empowering local talent. This aligns with SLAWN\u2019s mission: to mentor women and inspire young Sri Lankan girls to embrace their heritage and dream big.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px; color: #000000;\">Reflecting on the event, SLAWN\u2019s platform for Sri Lankan fashion, trade, and tourism showcased the resilience and talent of women entrepreneurs, proving that dedication and community support can overcome any obstacle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149693 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine2-e1740534673971.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149694\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149694\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149694 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine3-e1740534702816.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149694\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">FOMA Participants &amp; the Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149695 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine4-e1740534720977.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149696 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine5-e1740534746657.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149697\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149697\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149697 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine6-e1740534764386.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149697\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr Len Smith (Aboriginal Artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149698 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine8-e1740534790343.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149699 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine9-e1740534810556.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"902\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149700 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine10-e1740534835421.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"902\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149701 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine11-e1740534849181.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"902\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149702 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine12-e1740534866662.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149703 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine13-e1740534881147.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149704 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine14-e1740534897600.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149705 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine15-e1740534911363.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149707 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine20-e1740534931248.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149708 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine21-e1740534948334.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149709 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine22-e1740534961919.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"902\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149710 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine23-e1740535028144.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149711 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine24-e1740535042741.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149712 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine25-e1740535055528.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149713 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine26-e1740535079693.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149714 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine27-e1740535093205.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149715\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149715\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149715 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine28-e1740535107734.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With Kosovo Bride and the Kosovo Diplomats<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149716 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine29-e1740535119851.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_149717\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-149717\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-149717 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine30-e1740535129993.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-149717\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SLAWN Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-149718 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Sri-Lankan-Batik-and-Heritage-Shine31-e1740534641820.jpg\" alt=\"Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/elanka-newsletter-sign-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0inbox!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Kaleidoscope of Cultures: Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine at FOMA Runway by Kay Alahakoon, author of \u2018Chasing a Boomerang\u2019 and \u2018The Bridges We Cross\u2019 Stepping into the Ivy Sunroom on George Street, Sydney, on Saturday, October 12, felt like entering a world alive with colour, lively chatter, and electric anticipation. Representatives from 15 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":149710,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[77545,77544,77546,77542,77541,32219,77543,77540,77548,42907,77547,77549],"class_list":{"0":"post-149691","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-aboriginal-art-collaboration","9":"tag-batik-artisans","10":"tag-cultural-fusion-fashion","11":"tag-fabric-of-modern-australia","12":"tag-foma-fashion-show","13":"tag-slawn","14":"tag-sri-lankan-australian-womens-network","15":"tag-sri-lankan-batik","16":"tag-sri-lankan-designers","17":"tag-sri-lankan-heritage","18":"tag-sydney-fashion-event","19":"tag-traditional-sri-lankan-fabric","20":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.7.1 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A Kaleidoscope of Cultures: Sri Lankan Batik and Heritage Shine at FOMA Runway by Kay Alahakoon, author of \u2018Chasing a Boomerang\u2019 and \u2018The Bridges We Cross\u2019 - 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