October 23, Colombo (LNW): The South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum, part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), is gearing up to explore the theme “Knowledge & Innovation Hub – Gateway to South Asia.”
This year, the forum will spotlight the region’s potential to become a global leader in apparel through innovation-driven solutions. The discussions will emphasize ways to strengthen South Asia’s textile value chain, focusing on regional synergy, design thinking, and cutting-edge technology to ensure sustainability and speed, especially in a post-pandemic world.
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, known for its resilience, will be presented as a model for adaptive practices, demonstrating how the country integrates sustainability, regional collaboration, and advanced technologies. The overarching vision of the forum is clear: to fuel South Asia’s growth and position Sri Lanka as a key knowledge and innovation hub, offering strategic pathways for global partnerships.
Industry Experts Lead the Charge
The forum will feature a series of deep dives into the global apparel landscape, led by prominent industry figures. Malik Ahamadeen, Chief Growth Officer at MAS Holdings, will chair the event, leveraging his extensive experience in creating new opportunities in the fashion sector. Ahamadeen will guide the forum’s dynamic discussions, ensuring a forward-thinking approach.
Regular contributors, Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson, co-founders of The Future Laboratory, will present A World in Flux. They will explore how Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political (STEEP) factors are shifting consumer mindsets and reshaping the apparel industry. Their insights will help companies stay ahead of global trends and position themselves for success.
Ben Cavender, Managing Director of China Market Research Group, will provide insights into China’s apparel industry transformation post-pandemic in his presentation Reshaping the Apparel Landscape Post-Pandemic – The China Perspective. Cavender will highlight how Chinese brands have harnessed innovation and local creativity, offering valuable lessons for global brands.
Hasitha Premaratne, Managing Director of Brandix Lanka Ltd., will present Sri Lanka Apparel – Story of Resilience and Grit.
Premaratne will showcase how Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has navigated numerous challenges to remain a leader in sustainability and ethics.
His presentation will inspire participants to embrace innovation and resilience in the face of adversity.
Design Thinking and Innovation
The forum will also feature an interactive panel discussion on embedding innovation and design thinking into apparel businesses.
The panel will include design experts such as V. Sunil, co-founder of Motherland Joint Ventures, Aimee Kyffin, a UK-based user experience designer, Sarah Tranum from OCAD University in Canada, and Noud Sleumer, an artist and designer from the Netherlands.
These experts will share practical insights into fostering a design-led culture that transforms organizations and boosts competitiveness.
Participants will learn how to integrate innovative practices and design thinking to create sustainable solutions that address current challenges in the apparel industry. The session promises to be a dynamic exchange of ideas, equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Future Prospects for South Asia’s Apparel Industry
The forum will conclude with a panel discussion focused on unlocking regional synergies to solidify South Asia’s position as a global apparel powerhouse.
Industry leaders such as Omega Line Managing Director Felix Fernando and Brandix Apparel Ltd. Executive Director Rajiv Malalasekara will discuss how Sri Lanka’s ethical production capabilities can align with India’s retail market strengths.
These discussions will further emphasize Sri Lanka’s potential as a knowledge and innovation hub, setting the stage for South Asia to emerge as a leader in the global apparel and fashion industries.
