Fashion, for Darshi Keerthisena, has never been just about clothes. It’s about stories, memories, and carrying the spirit of Sri Lanka into every stitch. Her recent show, Island Life, brought seaside nostalgia to the runway with a fresh city chic vibe, a collection that was as soulful as it was stylish.

I sat down with Darshi to talk about inspiration, challenges, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. Here’s our conversation.

And knowing Darshi Keerthisena on a personal level, I can surely say that carrying the soul of Sri Lanka into the world, one brush stroke, one batik, one story at a time, has been her passion 

1. Island Life on the runway was a celebration of seaside nostalgia and city chic. What was the story you wanted to tell through this collection?

Darshi: For me, Island Life was really about memory. I kept going back to those childhood mornings by the sea, hair full of salt, cousins running around, the horizon that felt endless. At the same time, I wanted to show how that spirit still belongs in our lives today, even in the city. It’s about carrying the ocean with you wherever you go.

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2. Batik has such deep roots in Sri Lanka — how do you keep it fresh, modern, and relevant for today’s audience?

Darshi: Batik is in our DNA, but if it stays still, it becomes stuck in nostalgia. I like to think of it as a language you can always say new things with. We play with different silhouettes, colours, and sometimes even technology, but what never changes is that human touch. That’s what keeps it both modern and soulful.

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3. The show flowed with the rhythm of the tide, thanks to Rozanne’s choreography. How important is storytelling in fashion for you?

Darshi: Storytelling is everything. A dress by itself can be beautiful, yes, but when you connect it with movement, music, and memory, it becomes alive. Fashion, for me, is emotion stitched into fabric.

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4. KESS worked their magic backstage. How do collaborations with beauty and styling teams elevate the fashion experience?

Darshi: I always say fashion is never a one-woman show. It takes a whole circle of talent. KESS brought out the mood of Island Life perfectly; the hair, the makeup, it all helped the clothes breathe in a new way. When beauty, styling, and design come together, you’re not just showing clothes, you’re creating a whole world.

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5. Handcrafted fashion is at the heart of your work. What role do artisans play in keeping Sri Lanka’s identity alive on the global stage?

Darshi: Our artisans are the heartbeat of Buddhi Batiks. Each wax crack, each brush stroke, is a part of Sri Lanka’s story. On the global stage, what we’re really showing is not just fashion, but a piece of our island’s soul. Without them, there is no us.

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6. From the beach to the city — how does Sri Lanka itself inspire your design language?

Darshi: This island never stops inspiring me. The colours of a sunset, the patterns of temple carvings, even something as ordinary as a railway seat it all feed into design. From the calm of the sea to the buzz of Colombo, Sri Lanka is my mood board every single day.

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7. You’ve been recognised as a Sri Lankan woman shaping history. What does being honoured in this way mean to you personally?

Darshi: Honestly, it’s humbling. For me, it’s not about the title, it’s about what it represents. It means batik and craft are being valued, and women’s work is being seen. Standing next to women like Kasturi reminds me that we’re all part of a bigger story, building something together.

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8. As a woman leader in the creative industry, what challenges have you faced and how have you turned them into strengths?

Darshi: There are always challenges balancing creativity with business, working in spaces that are still male-dominated, proving that craft can stand next to luxury. But I’ve learned to turn those into fuel. They’ve made me more resilient, more daring, and more committed to creating a space where women’s creativity has power.

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9. How do you see fashion contributing to the empowerment of women in Sri Lanka?

Darshi: Fashion has two sides of empowerment. For the women who wear our clothes, it’s about confidence in how you carry yourself. For the women who make them, it’s about livelihood, independence, dignity. At its best, fashion isn’t frivolous; it can change lives.

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10. Your journey with Buddhi Batiks has been groundbreaking. What’s the legacy you hope to leave for the next generation of designers?

Darshi: I hope they don’t see batik as “just craft,” but as a wide-open design language. I want them to inherit a stage where heritage and innovation can sit side by side, and where Sri Lankan design holds its own globally. If I can leave behind courage, creativity, and a sense of community, that’s a legacy worth having.

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11. Do you feel Sri Lankan batik has reached its global moment, or is the best still yet to come?

Darshi: I think we’re still at the beginning. The world is craving authenticity and stories, and batik has both. We’ve had moments of recognition, but the real moment for our global chapter is still ahead. I truly believe batik is Sri Lanka’s gift to the world of fashion.

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12. Finally, if you had to describe “island living” in three words through fashion what would they be?

Darshi: Joy. Timeless. Free.