Today we feature Aamir Akbarally – Director, Ministry of Brands and Kamal Munasinghe – Senior Vice President, Colombo Hotels, General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, on the much-anticipated Lifestyle & Food, Family Festival IN GOOD STYLE 2026. Created to coincide with an exciting new chapter for The Shoppes at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, with new retail and dining experiences and the anticipated opening of the cinema set to further enhance the destination, In Good Taste will bring together the very best of food, fashion, art, entertainment and culture in one vibrant weekend experience. Designed as a festival of flavour, fun and fabulous experiences, the event will feature celebrity chefs, culinary competitions, fashion showcases, art installations, live entertainment and curated lifestyle experiences, attracting a highly engaged audience of consumers, tastemakers, media and industry leaders. Taste, Create, Connect & Celebrate, at The Shoppes, City of Dreams on 7th and 8th November 
 
Aamir Akbarally: As the first retailer in Sri Lanka to introduce authorised off-price
Fashion from leading international brands, how has the market responded to your concept so far?
Market response has been very encouraging, hence our decision to expand in a short time. International retail has traditionally been more expensive in Sri Lanka. For the first time, with the off-price retail model, we are able to offer the market authentic international brands at prices that are affordable and actually proportionate to the majority of the population’s income. Our objective is to bridge the gap between aspiration and affordability, allowing customers to enjoy premium fashion without the premium price tag. We are focused on building trust with our customers and are building a community of people who want value-led retail that does not compromise on quality.
 
Aaamir Akbarally: Since its inception, how many international brands has Ministry of Brands introduced to the Sri Lankan market?
Ministry of Brands has introduced over 2,000 international brands across apparel, footwear, accessories and homeware to the Sri Lankan market. Through our off-price sourcing network of leading retailers and department stores in the United States and Europe, we are able to provide access to a plethora of brands that have never been sold locally.

Aaamir Akbarally: Which brands have been your fastest-moving, and what do you think makes them particularly popular among Sri Lankan consumers?
Zara and its sister brand Pull & Bear have been particularly strong performers for us, notably because of their attractive price points. Our strong partnerships with these brands, combined with off-price sourcing through their programmes, have allowed us to offer their high-demand products at prices starting from LKR 1,500.

Our extensive selection of popular activewear and footwear brands has also performed well across all demographics.

Aamir Akbarally: What inspired Ministry of Brands to partner with IN GOOD TASTE 2026?
What is great about IN GOOD TASTE is that it is more than just a festival for people to attend. Its various pillars, spanning food, fashion and art, provide a platform for local brands while its competitions create opportunities for talented Sri Lankans looking to progress professionally. For example, the winner of the cooking competition receives a culinary internship at Cinnamon Life. IN GOOD TASTE is offering opportunities for people to develop their skills and careers, rather than simply handing out prizes.

This is a philosophy we strongly align with at Ministry of Brands, where we place great value on investing in the long-term professional development of our own team. The philanthropic element of the event also resonates with our values as a company. We saw this as an opportunity to celebrate fashion while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Kamal Munasinghe: How do you feel about MOB’s association with IN GOOD TASTE?

We are delighted to welcome Ministry of Brands (MOB) as a partner of IN GOOD TASTE. Fashion is an integral part of the lifestyle experience we envision for The Shoppes, and MOB’s association brings an exciting dimension to the festival. Partnerships like these allow us to bring together established brands, creative talent and diverse lifestyle interests, creating an experience that is engaging, relevant and accessible to a wider audience.

Kamal Munasinghe: How do you think MOB’s presence at IN GOOD TASTE will contribute to the overall experience at The Shoppes?

MOB’s fashion showcase will add energy and visual appeal to the festival, complementing its diverse mix of food, art, entertainment and lifestyle experiences. At The Shoppes, our ambition is to create a destination where people come not just to shop, but to discover, connect and experience something new. MOB’s participation reinforces this vision, bringing fashion to the forefront and giving visitors another reason to explore and enjoy IN GOOD TASTE.

Aamir Akbarally: What are your plans for expansion within Sri Lanka, and do you have ambitions to take Ministry of Brands into international markets? 

Our growth strategy looks at both local and international expansion. We see significant potential for Ministry of Brands across the South Asian region. The opening of our store at The SHOPPES at City of Dreams marks another exciting milestone for Ministry of Brands and brings our total presence in Colombo to three outlets.  Our focus is to grow carefully and sustainably, while continuing to strengthen our presence here at home. In September 2026, we proudly opened our first international Ministry of Brands in Karachi, Pakistan – a major commercial hub with a large and sophisticated consumer base that has a strong appetite for international brands.

In Sri Lanka, in addition to our store at The Shoppes, we are expanding our One Galle Face store and preparing to launch a beautiful landmark location in Kandy as part of our commitment to increasing accessibility for customers across the island
 
Kamal Munasinghe: In your view, how important is fashion as part of today’s retail landscape?

Fashion plays a significant role in today's retail landscape, extending beyond clothing to become a form of self-expression and an integral part of people's lifestyles. Today's consumers are looking for more than products; they value discovery, inspiration and experiences that reflect their individual identities. For retail destinations such as The Shoppes, bringing fashion together with dining, entertainment, culture and creativity is essential to creating a more engaging and well-rounded experience that resonates with today's consumer. Sent from my iPhone

 
Aaamir Akbarally: The auctioning of the Oscar de la Renta dress is a special highlight of IN GOOD TASTE 2026. What does this initiative mean to Ministry of Brands, and what impact do you hope it will have on the brand?

The Oscar de la Renta dress is an exceptionally rare and special piece, making its appearance at IN GOOD TASTE a truly unique opportunity. It is a testament to the calibre of product we are bringing to our customers. We're happy that a portion of the proceeds from the auction will support the event’s charity, adding meaning to the initiative.
 
Aamir Akbarally: How will the proceeds from the auction be utilised, and what would you like this initiative to achieve beyond the fashion industry?
A portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting Gabriel’s Rescue Animals Sri Lanka. A fantastic animal welfare initiative that houses, provides medical care and feeds hundreds of dogs and animals around Colombo and the suburbs, while fighting legal battles on behalf of elephants, monkeys and livestock. Beyond fundraising, we hope this initiative raises awareness and demonstrates how fashion can drive positive change. The clothes on our backs are necessities, and having access to inventory gives us opportunities for truly impactful philanthropic projects across Sri Lanka that we plan to roll out as the company grows.
 
Aamir Akbarally: Have changing consumer spending habits influenced the demand for international fashion brands in Sri Lanka? Has the off-price retail model become more relevant in the current economic climate?

Absolutely. Sri Lankan shoppers are more deliberate than ever about where their money goes, considering what our country has been through in the last few years; that is reshaping what is expected from fashion retail. The appetite for international brands has never faded. What has changed is that people now look for real value alongside the label, and many international brands have always sat beyond reach.
 
We believe this is where off-price retail has an important role to play. At Ministry of Brands, our aim is to bridge that gap by offering authentic international brands at significantly reduced prices, allowing more Sri Lankans to enjoy the quality and styles they love at prices that cater to all budgets. We understand that affordability matters more than ever, and we firmly believe consumers should not have to choose between quality and value. The positive response to our model reinforces our belief that there is a real need for this approach to fashion retail in Sri Lanka.