Redefining South Asia’s Fashion Future
From November 19th to 23rd, 2025, the Cinnamon Life: City of Dreams in Colombo will transform into the epicentre of South Asia’s creative renaissance as it plays host to the 9th edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka (MBFWSL). Presented by the Academy of Design (AOD) and powered by DIMO, the authorized distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, MBFWSL 2025 is more than a showcase of style, it is a statement about the future of fashion, sustainability, and the rising creative influence of the region. As part of the Mercedes-Benz Global Fashion Map, an exclusive, invitation-only network connecting Colombo with the world’s foremost fashion capitals, MBFWSL positions Sri Lanka at the heart of South Asia’s fashion narrative. It presents a distinctive design language emerging from the island’s blend of culture, craftsmanship, and sustainability, connecting Colombo’s runways to the global stage.
A Celebration of Design, Culture, and Innovation
MBFWSL 2025 is not just a fashion event; it is a curated cultural experience that merges creativity, sustainability, and luxury. Over the course of five days, more than 4,000 guests, including international buyers, media, fashion editors, and cultural tastemakers, will gather for a series of runway shows, exclusive VIP events, and immersive networking opportunities. Each evening, 750 distinguished guests will be welcomed to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Lounge, a signature feature that combines high fashion with high society. From intimate pre-show cocktails to the legendary Mercedes-Benz After-Party, these gatherings offer unparalleled opportunities for designers to connect with global industry leaders, influencers, and innovators. Beyond glamour, MBFWSL reflects a deeper purpose: to highlight Sri Lanka’s pioneering role in sustainable fashion and ethical apparel manufacturing. The nation’s globally recognized leadership in eco-friendly production, including the world’s first green garment factories and socially responsible supply chains, makes it a fitting host for a fashion week rooted in conscious creativity.
Five Runways, Five Stories of Style
The 2025 edition introduces five distinctive runways, each with its own identity and message, designed to represent different facets of the Sri Lankan and South Asian design spectrum.
1. Emerging Talent Runway: November 19
The week opens with a celebration of raw creativity. The Emerging Talent Runway will showcase breakthrough designers, the next generation of fashion visionaries shaped by AOD’s globally recognized design education. It’s a stage where experimental ideas, innovation, and individuality take centre stage.
2. Emerging Designer Runway: November 20
This showcase puts the spotlight on BA Design graduates from AOD, presenting collections that merge technical mastery with fresh perspectives. As a reflection of Sri Lanka’s evolving creative education ecosystem, the runway is a testament to AOD’s role in nurturing future industry leaders.
3. Future Craft Runway: November 21
A highlight of the week, the Future Craft Runway celebrates heritage craftsmanship and sustainable innovation. It fuses traditional regional crafts, handloom weaving, batik, natural dyeing, and artisanal embroidery, with cutting-edge design and regenerative practices. The result is a visual narrative that honours the island’s rich creative lineage while reimagining it for the modern world.
4. Destination Island Runway: November 22
Inspired by Sri Lanka’s scenic landscapes and coastal allure, the Destination Island Runway brings forth travel-inspired collections that capture the essence of island living. It celebrates fashion as an expression of freedom, adventure, and tropical elegance, an invitation to rediscover Sri Lanka as both a design and tourist destination.
5. The Colombo Edit Runway: November 23
The grand finale, The Colombo Edit Runway, is a glamorous homage to the capital city’s cosmopolitan spirit. It unites style, culture, and innovation in one electrifying show, featuring established designers, celebrity guests, and international collaborations. As the week’s culminating event, it encapsulates the vibrant creative energy that defines MBFWSL.
AOD: The Creative Force Behind the Vision
At the heart of MBFWSL is the Academy of Design (AOD), Sri Lanka’s pioneering design educator and a driving force behind the nation’s creative economy. With its international partnership with Northumbria University, UK, AOD provides globally recognized design education that bridges local talent with international opportunity. Over the years, MBFWSL has served as the launchpad for some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated fashion exports. Among them:
Amesh Wijesekera, an award-winning designer and LVMH Prize semi-finalist, now a fixture in Paris’s global fashion scene.
Ruwanthi Gajadeera, Redress Design Award runner-up in Hong Kong, celebrated for her sustainable and culturally conscious designs.
Nawoda Bandara, recipient of the International Portfolio Award at Graduate Fashion Week Dubai.
Sasandi De Silva, winner of both the Graduate Fashion Foundation Award and the International Considered Fashion Award in London.
These alumni embody the transformative power of MBFWSL, a platform that doesn’t just showcase talent, but propels it onto the world stage. AOD’s influence resonates throughout the event, representing an ecosystem where education, innovation, and opportunity converge.
The Convergence of Fashion, Culture, and Sustainability
In an era where the global fashion industry faces scrutiny for its environmental footprint, MBFWSL stands out as a beacon of sustainable luxury.
It brings attention to Sri Lanka’s leadership in ethical production and circular design, connecting the dots between local artisans, sustainable materials, and global brands. The Future Craft Runway, in particular, embodies this ethos, merging ancient craft traditions with contemporary technology. From zero-waste design to natural dyes and biodegradable textiles, it redefines what “luxury” means in the modern era. Moreover, MBFWSL fosters collaboration between designers and artisans, ensuring that traditional craftsmanship, often passed down through generations, remains economically viable and creatively relevant. This approach positions Sri Lanka as a model for other emerging fashion economies seeking to balance innovation with responsibility.
Global Reach, Local Soul
As part of the Mercedes-Benz Global Fashion Network, MBFWSL connects Colombo with fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan, and Berlin. Yet, its identity remains unmistakably Sri Lankan. Every runway, cocktail, and conversation reflect the island’s unique cultural rhythm, from its tropical modernist design sensibilities to its warm hospitality. For international delegates, MBFWSL 2025 offers a rare opportunity to explore South Asia’s evolving design identity firsthand. It’s a space where luxury meets local, where innovation draws from heritage, and where every stitch tells a story of transformation. Through its comprehensive marketing and media coverage, the event ensures global visibility for participating designers. Partnerships across digital, print, and broadcast channels extend the reach of Sri Lankan design beyond the runway; capturing audiences across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Networking, Collaboration, and the Future of Fashion
MBFWSL 2025 goes beyond showcasing collections; it serves as a hub for networking and collaboration across the fashion value chain. Designers connect with suppliers, entrepreneurs meet investors, and creative partnerships are born, all within an atmosphere of inspiration and possibility. The event also emphasizes industry exposure and market exploration. Delegates from the UK, Europe, and South Asia attend to identify emerging trends and business opportunities, positioning MBFWSL as a vital link in the region’s creative economy. This fusion of art, commerce, and sustainability ensures that MBFWSL continues to shape not just the aesthetics of fashion, but also its ethics and economics. It’s a vision of fashion that is globally competitive, regionally distinctive, and environmentally responsible.
MBFWSL 2025: A Vision for Tomorrow
As it approaches its ninth edition, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka has matured into a symbol of South Asia’s creative rise. It embodies the confidence of a nation that dares to define its own design language; rooted in authenticity, innovation, and sustainability. MBFWSL 2025 promises to be more than an event; it’s a celebration of fashion as a cultural force, a bridge between tradition and technology, local craftsmanship and global influence, creativity and conscience. From the runways of Cinnamon Life to the global headlines that follow, MBFWSL 2025 will reaffirm Sri Lanka’s place on the world’s fashion map; not as a follower, but as a leader of the new design frontier.
