 Academy of Design (AOD) Managing Director Linda Speldewinde presents the project catalogue to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in the presence of Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at the Economic Development Ministry. With strategic support from Economic Development Ministry and Industry and Commerce Ministry: The model project one which focuses on the North and the East of the country involves over 100 women artisans from the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Ampara and Batticaloa who are rebuilding in a post war era. AOD was invited by the Economic Development Ministry – Reawakening project to do a scoping visit and carry out an initial training back in January 2011. AOD has continued the project since then and has trained the women to produce palmyrah designer homeware products for high-end clientele of the hospitality industry such as Mount Lavinia Hotel and Chaaya Hotels and currently the women of these districts are handling these orders. This project has increased the wages of the women from Rupees eight to Rs 50 per hour increasing their income over five fold. The Palmyrah project logistics are carried on in partnership with the Palmyrah Development Board and UMCOR. The handloom weaving work is carried out in a cottage industry model in Mardhamunai in Ampara and Eruvil in Batticaloa. The second project encompasses the southern and central part of the island and the new products developed in these regions are due to be also showcased at the upcoming Sri Lanka Design Festival carrying on all the outcomes and success stories from the 2010 craft project which was showcased at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2010 by AOD in partnership with EDB. The other main discussion at the Ministry was about the new project to be showcased at the Sri Lanka Design Festival and that is the unique project in the Western Province – Gampaha District in Ilhala Madampe in the Divulapitiya division. The project which is carrying on under the Liya Abhimani programme of the Economic Development Ministry and under this project AOD is working with the Ministry and training 60 weavers in design and product development. The weaving community is currently working on producing collections of Fashion and Interior products to be showcased at Design Festival. The other new projects are a project in the Uva area in Bibile and Badulla where AOD is working with Cane and Kithul wood artisans. This project was started on the invitation of Uva Chief Minister's office. The Sri Lanka Design Festival is due to be held from November 16-20 and the outcomes of all the above projects are to be showcased at the upcoming Design Festival in the form of an island craft exhibition, contemporary craft fashion shows and a specially curated pop up store. The islandwide model projects completed under AOD's 'Design for Sustainable Livelihood Development Project' were presented to Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister guides the next phase to be presented and showcased at Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011. |
Sri Lanka Design Festival 2011 to showcase island craft, apparel industry
