AMESH WIJESEKERA
Speaker | AEF Sep 2024
London born Amesh Wijesekera was raised in his home country Sri Lanka where he draws inspirations from his childhood memories, experiences and surroundings. Highlighting local craft, conscious design and “made in Sri Lanka” to a global audience, AMESH combines traditional craftsmanship in artisanal hand-weaving, knitting and crochet, whilst re-purposing pre consumer waste materials from the apparel industry in Sri Lanka to create trans- Seasonal statement pieces for a shared wardrobe concept. Amesh has apprenticed in the studios of Future Laboratory London, Edeline Lee and Dame Zandra Rhodes before launching his eponymous label. Amesh had his runway debut at Mercedes Benz Fashion Weeks in Colombo, Berlin and Tbilisi, which was supported by the "Mercedes Benz Fashion Talents" programme 2019: He was shortlisted for the “International fashion showcase” 2019 in partnership with the British Fashion council and Somerset house galleries with mentorship support from the University of the Arts London. AMESH became the first Sri Lankan designer to be nominated for the prestigious LVMH Prize in Paris 2022. First discovered at the Mercedes-Benz fashion runways in Colombo, he went on to showcasing in Berlin,Tbilisi and recently had his debut in India as a finalist for Circular design challenge 2023. AMESH is on a continuous journey re-imagining South Asian Beauty & Identity while exploring gender expression and youth culture.