Fashion, wellness and art at CFW’s no plastic retail week | Print Edition

CFW Founder and Director Ajai Vir Singh (centre) addressing the Retail Week press conference. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara

Following the success of their inaugural run last year, Colombo Fashion Week will once again come together with One Galle Face (OGF) and HSBC Sri Lanka to present CFW Retail Week 2021.

From March 28 to April 9, patrons are invited to take part in a variety of experiences offered at OGF under the dynamic themes of Wellness, Fashion, Luxury, and Cuisine. The ten-day programme is a knowledge and engagement-based experience for the whole family focusing on creative collaborations, building awareness on the importance of sustainability and the environment, as well as engaging retail interaction.

This year’s edition of the first-of-its-kind experiential retail event follows in the footsteps of the CFW 2021 theme of Circularity in Fashion, by introducing the theme of ‘No Plastic Week’ to the festivities. “Circular economy is where everyone’s headed to, there is more sensitivity towards the environment,” explains Managing Director of CFW Ajai Vir Singh.

As such, the No Plastic Week initiative will encourage both retail establishments and consumers to stop using plastic bags and other unnecessary plastic packaging, and instead promote the use of reusable bags that will be made available throughout the mall.

Throughout Retail Week, OGF patrons can look forward to a variety of events like book readings and workshops, a home-grown acoustic music event, a curated quiz night, special events like wine tastings and F&B demos.

Wellness themed events include a talk by Johann Peries on conquering Mt. Everest, fitness events like ‘Animal Flow’, as well as holistic events such as movement yoga and laughing yoga sessions. For fashion enthusiasts, the programme offers an in-depth look into Circularity by Ajai Vir Singh, as well as a specially curated viewing of Careem’s Jewellery, amongst other value-added retail experiences.

There is also plenty to keep the kids occupied, with activities like an Easter egg hunt, traditional Avurudu games, art workshops, Junior Chef programme, literary workshops with Artika Aloka Bakshi, and more.

 For more information and updates on CFW Retail Week, follow CFW on Instagram and Facebook at @colombofashionweek