The Colombo Fashion Week is set to unveil its CFW Couture + Trousseau event on September 17, 18, and 19, under the artistic theme of ‘Living Sculpture.’ This unique edition will transform the runway into a canvas, featuring stunning sculptures by the acclaimed artist Prageeth Manohansa. These sculptures will not only complement the fashion collections but will also enhance the overall aesthetic, creating an immersive gallery experience on the catwalk.
This season will showcase an array of designers from China, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, each bringing their own artistic vision to the realm of couture. This collaboration emphasizes the intersection of high fashion with artistic expression, focusing on the craftsmanship and creative intent behind each piece. Couture has historically been a fusion of fashion and art, and this iteration places that concept at its forefront. Prageeth Manohansa, recognized for his ability to transform scrap metal into dynamic sculptures that convey movement and emotion, will serve as both the backdrop and inspiration for the collections presented.
Throughout its 23-year history, Colombo Fashion Week has played a pivotal role in shaping the Sri Lankan fashion landscape, consistently introducing bold and relevant themes that reflect the industry’s evolution. The CFW Couture + Trousseau event represents the most ambitious endeavor to date in exploring the relationship between fashion and art.
According to Ajai Vir Singh, the Founder and Managing Director of Colombo Fashion Week, “Couture transcends mere clothing and becomes art. We aimed for the runway to embody this notion, where the sculptures serve not just as decoration, but as an integral part of the dialogue between the garments and the space. We are thrilled to collaborate with Prageeth Manohansa in bringing this vision to fruition.”
The 2026 CFW Couture + Trousseau event is sponsored by Nations Trust Bank and hosted at the City of Dreams by Cinnamon Life, along with support from Lanka Walltiles, Vision Care, Hameedia, and Ramani Fernando. Additional backing is provided by partners including Acorn, Pulse, News First, Ceylon Today, Emerging Media, and Hard Talk. CFW remains a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s fashion design sector, sustaining its reputation as the primary voice in the industry while fostering a collaborative fashion ecosystem with its partners.
