Colombo Fashion Week (CFW), now in its 23rd year, is set to take place from April 1 to 4 at the City of Dreams Sri Lanka in Colombo. Presented by Mastercard, CFW is a prominent fashion platform in South Asia, having established itself in 2003. This year, CFW continues its collaboration with the BRICS International Fashion Federation, reinforcing its status as a crucial regional and international fashion hub.
As a member of the BRICS International Fashion Federation, CFW actively facilitates connections between diverse fashion markets, promoting creative exchanges across continents. The federation’s designer exchange programme remains a vital initiative, opening new opportunities and dialogues for Sri Lankan designers. For the first time, CFW will host the BRICS Fashion Showcase in collaboration with the BRICS International Fashion Council’s South Asian edition.
Ajai Vir Singh, the founder of Colombo Fashion Week, remarked, “Sri Lanka’s strategic location has always positioned it as a regional hub. Our partnership with the BRICS International Fashion Federation underscores the importance of Sri Lanka’s representation on international stages. These collaborations place our fashion industry within a global dialogue and create opportunities beyond the runway. We are proud that Colombo Fashion Week remains one of the oldest fashion platforms in the region and continues to attract global talent to Colombo as we prepare for this season.”
This year’s event will feature an impressive lineup of over 30 designers, including international talents from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, China, and Russia, alongside renowned Sri Lankan designers. This diverse representation makes CFW Summer 2026 one of the most globally inclusive editions in its history. The Emerging Designer initiative remains a cornerstone of CFW, offering a valuable entry point for aspiring designers. Eleven emerging designers will showcase their collections, each benefiting from CFW’s structured mentorship programme, which guides them in collection planning and presentation.
Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for Sri Lanka & Maldives at Mastercard, stated, “Mastercard is proud to once again be the presenting partner of Colombo Fashion Week. This platform embodies our commitment to bringing communities together, elevating local creativity, and enabling new possibilities through global connections. As CFW celebrates its 23rd year, we are pleased to support a movement that continues to shape Sri Lanka’s fashion ecosystem and unlock opportunities for emerging talent. We look forward to delivering experiences that showcase the best of Sri Lankan creativity on a global stage.”
This year, CFW introduces the Batik Collective, aimed at encouraging young designers to incorporate the traditional Sri Lankan craft of batik into their collections. By integrating local crafts into their work, designers have the opportunity to develop a distinct Sri Lankan fashion identity, creating market demand beyond the country’s borders.
CFW Summer 2026 will transform the City of Dreams Sri Lanka into Colombo’s premier fashion destination over four days in April. As the official hospitality and venue partner, City of Dreams offers a world-class setting that enhances the CFW experience beyond the runway. This year, guests can enjoy early access to an exclusive CFW Premium Lounge Pass, featuring designated spaces, a fashion menu, and drinks, providing a more immersive show experience.
Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President at Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and General Manager at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, commented, “City of Dreams Sri Lanka is designed to be the epicenter of lifestyle, entertainment, and cultural experiences in the region. Partnering with Colombo Fashion Week is a natural fit, as both brands celebrate creativity, energy, and the evolving spirit of Colombo. Together, we are proud to showcase the city as a vibrant destination where fashion, entertainment, and world-class hospitality converge.”
Colombo Fashion Week 2026 is proudly supported by Mastercard as the presenting partner, with Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams serving as the venue partner. The event also receives support from NDB Wealth, Chupa Chups, Vision Care, Nestle-Nescafe, Unilever–Comfort, Knuckles, Lanka Walltiles, Hameedia, and Ramani Fernando. CFW is further backed by media partners Pulse, LMD, YesFM, News First, Ceylon Today, Emerging Media, and Hard Talk, continuing to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s fashion design industry and creating a vibrant fashion ecosystem with its partners.
Photo Caption: Head table L-R: Mikail Hameed – Business Development, Hameedia; Arjuna Kumarasinghe – MD, Cargills Food and Beverage; Ruwan Perera – Chief Executive Officer, NDB Wealth Management; Kamal Munasinghe – Snr VP, Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts / GM, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams; Ajai Vir Singh – Founder, Colombo Fashion Week; Sandun Hapugoda – Country Manager, Sri Lanka & Maldives, Mastercard; Bernhard Stefan – MD, Nestle Lanka; Harsha Maduranga – GM, Vision Care
