On Saturday, September 6, the fashion world marked a defining moment as internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan designer Amilani Perera unveiled her latest collection, Kahawanu, at the grand opening of her pop-up store on Chapel Street in South Yarra, Melbourne. The occasion not only introduced the highly anticipated collection but also signalled Amilani Perera’s official entry into the Australian market and her induction into the Australian Fashion Council (AFC); a step that positions her among the select South Asian designers successfully weaving regional heritage into global fashion dialogues. At the centre of the launch was Kahawanu itself, a collection that examines the human condition through the artistry of design. Drawing inspiration from themes of greed, excess, and the transformative act of release, the line reimagines fashion as a medium for dialogue and reflection. Each piece juxtaposes delicate thread embroidery with expressive brush strokes, creating a dynamic interplay between structure and fluidity, discipline and freedom. Symbolism is at the core of the collection:
- Sri Lankan coins, interpreted through delicate prints and oversized sequins, represent wealth and material desire.
- The clashing of sequins mimics the sound of coins colliding, an auditory reminder of greed’s weight.
- Brush strokes evoke freedom, an artistic expression of what it means to release attachments and embrace lightness.
- A neutral palette; beige, ivory, soft gold, and muted grey, grounds the designs, allowing texture and form to take centre stage.
Amilani explained the philosophy behind the line during the launch: “Fashion is a language, and Kahawanu is my way of telling a story about humanity’s relationship with excess. The collection is about recognizing that true beauty and freedom come not from what we hold on to, but from what we choose to let go of.” With this collection, Amilani continues her trademark approach: blending cultural narratives from Sri Lanka with a modern global sensibility, creating garments that are as thought-provoking as they are wearable.
A New Chapter in Australia
The Melbourne pop-up marks Amilani Perera’s first physical retail presence in Australia, an important milestone in her brand’s international expansion. Chapel Street, South Yarra, long regarded as one of Melbourne’s most stylish precincts, was carefully chosen for its vibrant mix of fashion, design, and culture. The pop-up, which will remain open until September 30, 2025, offers visitors the chance to shop the Kahawanu collection alongside a curated selection of archival favourites from Amilani’s previous lines. Each piece tells a story, showcasing the evolution of her design journey from Colombo to Melbourne. Equally significant is Amilani’s membership with the Australian Fashion Council, announced in tandem with the launch. This partnership places her within a network of Australia’s leading designers, industry bodies, and fashion innovators. It also reflects the AFC’s growing commitment to diversity and inclusivity, welcoming global voices that enrich the Australian fashion landscape.
Commenting on this milestone, Amilani said: “Joining the Australian Fashion Council is both an honour and an opportunity. It allows me to engage in meaningful collaborations, exchange ideas with Australian designers, and bring Sri Lankan fashion into the spotlight of a new market. I see this as the beginning of a cultural bridge between Sri Lanka and Australia through design.”
More Than Retail: A Space for Empowerment
The Chapel Street pop-up has been envisioned as more than just a retail destination. True to Amilani Perera’s philosophy of fashion as empowerment, the store will host a month-long series of events rooted in the brand’s two core pillars: women’s empowerment and fashion as a community experience. Highlights from the curated calendar include:
- Beauty Masterclasses: Partnering with Melbourne-based beauty experts, these sessions will explore holistic beauty routines and self-expression.
- Lingerie Styling and Fit Consultations: Workshops designed to help women of all body types embrace confidence, comfort, and individuality.
- Body Positivity and Fashion Workshops: Wellness-focused styling sessions that combine mindful living with fashion, empowering participants to see clothing as a tool for self-celebration rather than restriction.
By aligning with Melbourne’s women entrepreneurs, the pop-up becomes a collaborative hub, amplifying female voices across industries while fostering connections between Sri Lankan artistry and Australian innovation. Amilani emphasized this vision during her launch address: “My work has always been about more than clothes. It’s about creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and celebrated. This pop-up is a reflection of that belief, it is as much about community as it is about design.”
A Global Designer with Sri Lankan Roots
Amilani Perera is widely recognized as one of Sri Lanka’s most influential fashion voices, celebrated for collections that fuse meticulous craftsmanship with bold conceptual storytelling. Launching her eponymous label in Colombo to critical acclaim, she quickly carved a reputation for using fashion as a platform to explore heritage, social commentary, and women’s empowerment, while continually redefining textiles and silhouettes in innovative ways. The unveiling of Kahawanu on Chapel Street marks not only a milestone in her own career but also a defining moment for Sri Lankan fashion on the global stage. It reflects the expanding reach of South Asian creativity, the international appetite for diverse cultural narratives, and the enduring ability of design to bridge borders. With her Melbourne pop-up, new membership in the Australian Fashion Council, and steadfast commitment to empowering women, Amilani Perera stands as a global designer with a deeply local soul; a storyteller who weaves fabric, thread, and form into connections that span cultures and communities. For Melbourne audiences, a visit to Chapel Street this September is more than a shopping experience; it is an invitation to engage with a story of release, freedom, and empowerment through fashion. The Amilani Perera Pop-Up Store is open until September 30, 2025, at Chapel Street, South Yarra, Melbourne.
