Written by AMULYA MISRA for THE DESIGN COLLECTIVE
Have you been an admirer of haute couture? If so, then you would naturally be familiar with one of the biggest names in the space–Dimuthu Sahabandu. A graduate of LaSalle College of the Arts in Singapore, Dimuthu has been making waves in the Sri Lankan fashion space for over a decade.
He made his debut by launching his eponymous womenswear brand at the 2010 Colombo Fashion Week. After taking home the title of ‘Gen-Next Designer of the Year,’ he quickly became one of the most sought after designers not only on the island but throughout Asia.
From Hong Kong to India, he has made a name for himself in the Asian marketspace with beautifully designed garments featuring intricate beadwork and exquisite craftsmanship. We are ecstatic to announce the launch of Dimuthu’s new collection–Amira at The Design Collective Store.
With his attention to detail and overwhelming creativity, it is any wonder that we were awestruck when we finally had the chance to interview him? From discussing the inspiration behind his latest collection to marking 10 years at CFW, we caught up with Dimuthu about everything and more in a virtual interview.
What was the inspiration and story behind Amira? Why did you want to create this collection?
Amira is inspired by the idea of being fashionable yet conservative. I’ve always admired ethnic Indian clothing and wanted to create a collection that portrayed that essence while incorporating our brand’s signature surface detailing and embellishments.
The collection consists of a line of separates that can be worn together as one look or mixed and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe, prolonging the life and use of these handmade garments.
How do you want women to feel when wearing pieces from the Amira collection?
Amira is designed for women who love to wear beautiful handcrafted pieces. It is important to us that our customers feel empowered in the clothes they wear. If our pieces have the power to uplift their confidence and mood when they wear our garments; if it manages to transform them to the best version of themselves, then we’ve achieved our goals.
Who is your muse?
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Cate Blanchett and a few others who have a unique sense of personal style serve as an all time muse for us.
How do you manage to maintain a balance of couture and wearability in your garments?
Understanding your market segment and the place where you sell your garments is crucial. While haute couture detailing is a major part of what we do at Dimuthu Sahabandu Collections, at the same time, we pay attention to our target market and their needs.
What is applicable and approachable for our customers is of utmost importance to us. While the couture essence is present in our detailing, we keep the silhouettes and styles practical and appropriate for our end customers. While this theory may not apply to our fashion shows where we try to bring in a fantasy element, we make sure it applies to all our ready-to-wear retail collections in stores.
You showcased at the Colombo Fashion Week 2020 last year, what was the experience like?
CFW 2020 marked our 10th year at the event. We launched our brand at Colombo Fashion Week and for the past decade we have seen our brand evolve and adapt to the version it has become today. We’ve seen the world around us change too.
What was your biggest take-away from last year? How did you use this time?
Biggest take away is that we humans are not on top of this world and we cannot decide what is best for this world the way we see fit. We are a part of nature and just as we were created by nature, we can be made extinct at any given moment. 2020 was the biggest reality check for us all.
Biggest take away is that we humans are not on top of this world and we cannot decide what is best for this world the way we see fit. We are a part of nature and just as we were created by nature, we can be made extinct at any given moment. 2020 was the biggest reality check for us all.
The Amira Collection by Dimuthu Sahabandu launches on 26 April Monday at The Design Collective
Shop the range of clothing by Dimuthu Sahabandu: