This  weekend  we  will  see  the  first  of  what  is  sure  to  become  an    event  on    every   fashionista’s  social   calendar,   the   Old   Railway   Fashion   Show.   Galle     has     become   known   outside   Sri   Lanka  for    hosting  events,  which  are  famous  due  to  their    energy and  originality,    but  this  is  the  first    time   Galle   will   be   given   the     chance     to   showcase   the   fashion   talent     which   is   emerging  throughout    Sri  Lanka.  

The   Old   Railway   Fashion   show   is   a       unique     event,   which   allows   new     designers   who   are    appearing  on  the    scene  to  be  given  a  platform  on    the  South    Coast.  The  event,  which    includes  the   catwalk   show   and   a       storming   after   party,   is   being   co-­‐ordinated     by   a       team   managed   by  the   Old   Railway,   the   Galle   shop   which   has   been   in   existence   for   over   a   year   and   is,   along  with  its  café  above,  a  regular  fixture  for  those  who  visit  and  live  in  Galle.     

The   show   itself   will   see   the   launch   of   the   new   collection     by   the   Old   Railway   designer,    Catherine   Rawson.     Those   who   are   interested   in   new   fashion   labels   and   ideas   are     already    watching   Catherine   and   the   beautiful   designs   she   is   creating.   Catherine   has   been   living   in    Galle   for   four   years   with   her   husband   Rasika.   She   graduated   from   St   Martin’s   College   of    Fashion  in  London  and  since    then  has  been  working  on  creating  a    range    of  clothes  that  are    at  once   wearable   and     original.   She   explains   that   the   new   collection,   ‘Skin’   is   inspired     by   ice  cream   sundaes     and   The   Great   Gatsby!   As     well   as     her   ready   to   wear   collections,   which     she  sells    in  her  shop,  Catherine  designs    bespoke  wedding  dresses    and  evening  gowns,    which  are  created  after  long,  in-­‐depth    discussions  with    the  bride  or  party  girl.  She  makes  all    her  clothes  from   locally   sourced   materials   and   the   tailoring   is   all   by   local   seamstresses   and     the   team  who  work  in  the  shop  on  Havelock  road,  Galle.  

Her   collection   will   be   accompanied     by   jewellery   and   bags   made   by   emerging     designers   who    see  Galle  as  a    place  from  which  fashion  can  be  inspired  and  created.  The  fashion  show    aims    to   become   a   repeat     event     and   serve   as     a   platform   through     which     new   designers   across   the    country  will  show    their  work  and  help  build  a  new    fashion  hub  in  the  South.    This  could  be  a  very   exciting     beginning   for     designers   and   trendsetters   who   are     interested   seeing   a   new  aspect  of  fashion  design  in  Sri    Lanka.  

The  fashion  show  will  be    taking    place    at  a    Fleurts,  a    beach  bar  and  villa  in  Thalpe    on    Saturday  the  19th  of  January,  a  time  when    all  of  us  are  a  little  in    need    of  a  sartorial    pick-­‐me-­‐up!    As  well  as   the     show   there     will   be     a       chance     to   purchase   the   just-­‐off-­‐the-­‐catwalk     pieces   in   a   pop-­‐up    boutique,  which  will  be  open  throughout    the    evening,    and  the  after  party  promises  to  go  on  late  into  the  night  to  the  sounds  of  dashing    DJs  from  Colombo    and    Galle.  

The  show  will  be  a  very  exciting  moment  for  fashion    in    Sri  Lanka,  not  just  for  the    experience  of  the  first  ever  Galle  fashion  show  but  for  the  potential  of  an  on-­‐going    spectacle    of  sartorial  delights  throughout  the  year.  

For  more    information  on  the    event  and  tickets  please    contact  The    Old    Railway:        

0778809990/  0776263400  

The  Old  Railway  Fashion  Show  is  taking  place  at  Fleurts  Beach  Bar,  127    Galle  Road    Tickets  are  on  sale    now  at    The  Old  Railway  and  Pedlar’s  Café  in    Galle.     

Tickets  are  3500    LKRS