From left: Moderator Chathurangi de Silva,  Dr. Dilina Nawarathne, Sanskar Madan Sawant and Sophia Sansoni  From left: Moderator Mooniak Design Studio Founder Pathum Egodawatta, Good Life X Sri Lanka Founder Randula De Silva, and DesignUp - Catenate.io Director Shiva Viswanathan  The Design Dialogues 2025, a key segment of the annual Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), took place over two days at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams. Presented by the Academy of Design (AOD) and curat

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (MBFW), presented by the Academy of Design (AOD) and powered by DIMO, concluded its final showcase, ‘The Colombo Edit’, on Sunday at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams. Day 5 featured eight fashion brands and designers who redefined contemporary style through sustainable creativity and craftsmanship, celebrating local heritage while elevating it for a global audience. - Pix by Ruwan Walpola

Urban Island hosted the launch of its newest Palmyrah Collection alongside a special photography exhibition, an initiative made possible with the generous support of the Embassy of Switzerland. The event highlighted the artistry and skill of local craft communities, shining a light on the stories and traditions behind Palmyrah weaving. Held as part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival 2025, the evening brought together designers, artisans, and industry partners to celebrate susta

Colombo, the beating heart of Sri Lanka, is more than its skyline or its coastline. It’s a city that exists in layers; in the memories of its people, in the rhythm of its streets, in the art and architecture that mark its growth, and in the countless untold stories that give it life. Yet, for all its richness, Colombo has often lacked a collective narrative that captures its essence. Now, a new design-led initiative seeks to change that. “What’s Your Colombo?”, a two-year cre

Linda Speldewinde stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most inspiring figures; a visionary entrepreneur, creative leader, and fierce advocate for women’s empowerment. As the Founder of the Academy of Design (AOD), Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFWSL), and the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), she has transformed the island’s creative landscape, redefining its global identity through design, fashion, and innovation. Her journey is one of audacity and purpose, one that has ins

Serving style, confidence, and couture; here are our top picks from Day Five of MBFW 2025 held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

From bold looks to timeless elegance; here are the guests spotted at MBFW 2025 (Day Five) at Cinnamon Life, Colombo

Day Five of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka 2025 concluded in spectacular style as The Colombo Edit Runway brought the week’s programming to a glamorous finale. Presented by the Academy of Design (AOD) and powered by DIMO, the official authorised distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, the event transformed Cinnamon Life – the City of Dreams, into a celebration of modern Sri Lankan and South Asian design visionaries. The evening gathered Colombo’s most influential cr

Day Four of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week brought together an inspiring mix of guests, industry leaders, creatives and fashion enthusiasts Thushari Vijitha Samantha Shyamalee for the much-anticipated Destination Island Runway. The evening highlighted Sri Lanka’s rich design heritage, presenting collections inspired by the island’s textures, colours and cultural essence. Attendees arrived in stylish ensembles, adding to the vibrant atmosphere at Cinnamon Life. The event continued

The style elite of Colombo lit up Cinnamon Life as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2025 continued into its second and third days. Friday and Saturday evenings saw the city’s ‘A Listers’ arrive impeccably dressed, making the event a true centerpiece of the social calendar.

Day Two of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka showcased the creativity and talent of the island’s rising designers as guests gathered for the Emerging Designer Runway at Cinnamon Life. Fashion enthusiasts, industry leaders, influencers, and style-conscious attendees filled the venue, celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and the vibrant spirit of Sri Lanka’s fashion community. The evening brought together a diverse crowd who came to support young designers presenting their

Destination Island, MBFWSL 2025’s Day 4, presented by the Academy of Design (AOD) and powered by DIMO, the authorised distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, at Cinnamon Life, the City of Dreams in Colombo, promises to transport the audience to a tropical paradise. This spectacular showcase will highlight resort wear, swimwear, and leisure-inspired tailoring, capturing the essence of vibrant island living while seamlessly blending global fashion trends with distinctive Sr

Guests gathered at Cinnamon Life for the opening day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka 2025, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and the evolving landscape of local fashion. The evening brought together designers, industry professionals, fashion enthusiasts and well-known personalities, all showing their support for the country’s vibrant fashion community. Event: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka 2025 Date: 19th of November 2025 (Day 1) Venue:  Cinnamon Life, Col