The Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, University of Moratuwa declares their fourth Graduation Fashion Show 2008, on the 4th and 5th of November at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

Responding to a vital need in the apparel export industry this course was commenced at the University of Moratuwa with consultancy assistance from London College of Fashion. The consultancy is funded by the Government of Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Textile Industry Development.

The fashion collections that are displayed at this show are designed for an intended market. The students research a customer, designer label and a specific market segment for a future fashion season and create, design and manufacture a brand new Collection of Fashion outfits which are modelled by professional models on the catwalk on 4th November.

"This show is our fourth Graduation Fashion show. The fashion design and product development degree continues to grow from strength to strength, so much so that the University is planning expansion of its courses to include degree pathways in Surface Textiles that includes novel effect in washing, print and embellishment, Knit and knitwear and Woven textiles as specialist fashion areas for Sri Lanka. Some of the excellence in these areas are already coming through in this years Fashion Show", Course Director, University of Moratuwa; Dr. Nirmali de Silva, said.

"The course aims to produce graduates who could enhance the value addition of the garments manufactured in the Country. After Graduation these Designers are mainly absorbed in to the Export Apparel Industry. It is expected that the course will grow in the near future by expanding into areas of specializations in the Fashion and Fashion related industries" she noted.

"The course gives and insight into how creative youth of the Country could be trained to support the creative industries and how these could be commercialized. It will also lead to more employment opportunities for creative youth in the Country", she highlighted.

Commenting further Dr. de Silva said, "We have three well known fashion celebrities; Manish Arora, the contemporary Fashion Designer from Delhi, Otara Gunewardane of the famous Odel store and lifestyle Brand and London’s very own Colin McDowell, specialist Fashion journalist to participate in our show".

This course leads to a Bachelor of Design Degree in Fashion Design & Product Development. This is one of the latest additions to the University system. The students are selected through the University Grants Commission after having passed the GCE Advanced Level Examination in any three subjects.