Browsing by Author "Gopura, S"

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Aesthetics and socio-cultural representation of Sri Lanka on stamps
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, 2024) Ellawela, D; Wickramasinghe, A; Gopura, S; Ferrero-Regis, T
Postage stamps act as national symbols, commemorating events and reflecting a nation’s socio-cultural framework. In this study, aesthetics in Sri Lankan stamps refers to visual elements like color, form, and symbolism, which enhance beauty and express cultural values. Stamps also represent social and cultural life, depicting historical events, practices, landscapes, and symbols of Sri Lankan identity. Ultimately, they serve as a medium for communicating Sri Lanka’s heritage and societal evolution. Since the introduction of pictorial stamps in Sri Lanka in 1935, stamps have functioned both as communication tools and cultural artifacts. However, the rise of digital communication has reduced the use of physical stamps, threatening their cultural significance. As traditional mail declines, the rich narratives embedded in stamps risk disappearing. This study aims to preserve these socio-cultural stories by examining the historical and cultural importance of stamps in shaping Sri Lanka’s national identity.
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Dreams of weaving: Creative practice-led approach to handloom product development in Sri Lanka using artisans’ socio-emotional identit
(Routledge, 2022) Gopura, S; Wickramasinghe, A
Amidst the contemporary global trends of “hyper-localised” and “sustainable” fashion, the craft-based industries have been given substantial importance in recent times. Realising the competence of the Handloom weaving industry in Sri Lanka within the global fashion industry, this research proposes a new product development approach using the socio-emotional identities of the Handloom artisans. The study takes a practice-led approach following an initial data collection through qualitative research where a purposive sample of twenty-seven Handloom artisans from three provinces in Sri Lanka are interviewed and observed to identify their socio-emotional identities. The study subsequently guides the creation of an un-cut handloom textile developed by the artisans to explore the potential portrayal of the socio-emotional identities of a cross-section of Handloom weavers in Sri Lankan in the final product. This practice-led research chiefly contributes to the Handloom textile sector of Sri Lanka as it provides innovative and unforeseen avenues for new product development and contributes to the existing knowledge of craft-based research. The study affirms the need for acknowledging the Handloom artisans in Sri Lanka and adapting artisan-oriented approaches in future product development. These findings are also valuable in new product development for the Handloom weaving industry in the countries sharing the same industry attributes in the South Asian region.
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The Fashion Designer's Evolving Role in the Apparel Value Chain : Perspectives from Sri Lankan Designers
(2019-06) Gopura, S; Payne, A.; Buys, L.
In the South Asian Region, the Sri Lankan apparel industry is transitioning from apparel assembly to providing higher value-added product and services. Fashion designers are key actors in this transition. The purpose of this article is to examine the evolving role of the fashion designerin the Sri Lankan apparel industry.The study adopts a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews conducted with twenty-eight fashion and product development professionals in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Based on an inductive thematic analysis, the study finds that the Sri Lankan designers take a multidisciplinary approach to their design practice, integrating the key functions of fashion design, product development and manufacturing capabilities, in alignment with the functional and strategic ambitions of the apparel companies. Their approach to design through technical skills extends the conceptual approach of brand designers in fashion design practice. However, the fashion knowledge of Sri Lankan designers varies significantly depending on their familiarity with Western brands and retailers as well as Western consumer culture and lifestyle.
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The fashion designer’s evolving role in the apparel value chain: Perspectives from Sri Lankan designers
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Gopura, S; Payne, A; Buys, L
In the South Asian Region, the Sri Lankan apparel industry is transitioning from apparel assembly to providing higher value-added product and services. Fashion designers are key actors in this transition. The purpose of this article is to examine the evolving role of the fashion designer in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. The study adopts a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews conducted with twentyeight fashion and product development professionals in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Based on an inductive thematic analysis, the study finds that the Sri Lankan designers take a multidisciplinary approach to their design practice, integrating the key functions of fashion design, product development and manufacturing capabilities, in alignment with the functional and strategic ambitions of the apparel companies. Their approach to design through technical skills extends the conceptual approach of brand designers in fashion design practice. However, the fashion knowledge of Sri Lankan designers varies significantly depending on their familiarity with Western brands and retailers as well as Western consumer culture and lifestyle.
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Fashion education in Sri Lanka: the nexus between formal and informal education
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Gopura, S; Payne, A; Bandara, DC; Buys, L; Seneheweera, L
For the past 15 years, the Sri Lankan apparel industry has been upgrading from apparel assembly to providing design and product development services. The country’s fashion education developed in response to the industry’s need for design professionals. The purpose of this study is to explore how fashion designer competencies are developed within Sri Lanka. This study adopts a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews conducted with 28 fashion and product development professionals, selected through purposive sampling. The development of fashion designer competencies within SL in this context are analysed and discussed. The study proposes a ‘fashion education ecosystem’ that has emerged from the nexus between formal fashion education and training and professional development within the industry, supporting the upgrading of the industry through the enhancement of designer skills. Sri Lanka, as a small country that depends heavily on the apparel industry for employment and economic development, provides a model for other developing countries seeking industrial upgrading from apparel assembly to design and product development services through the fashion education ecosystem
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Fashion exposure: Sri Lankan apparel industry designer interactions with the world of fashion
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2019) Gopura, S; Payne, AR; Buys, L; Bandara, DC
Purpose Developing countries engaged in apparel value chain are going global, seeking opportunities to upgrade the industry through providing higher value-added products and services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how Sri Lankan apparel industry designers interact with the western fashion world in the apparel value chain process, and how they acquire, adapt and apply the knowledge needed to develop high-value fashion products in their fashion design practice. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews conducted with fashion design and product development professionals in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. An inductive thematic analysis is used in identifying participants’ experience of the western fashion world within their fashion design practice. Findings The study proposes a “fashion knowledge bridge” illustrating the ways in which Sri Lankan designers acquire and merge high-value fashion consumer culture and lifestyle knowledge with the manufacturing industry, through multisensory and virtual experience, termed “exposure”, in their interactions with the western fashion world as well as the manufacturing culture of the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Designers’ exposure improves the feasibility and reliability of their apparel products, aligning to the end-consumer needs. The study also proposes a “designers’ exposure framework” that illustrates gains made by the Sri Lankan apparel industry resulting from knowledge enhancement through the designers’ exposure. Research limitations/implications The study is based on a qualitative methodology that has potential subjective biases on the part of the researchers; in this case only the Sri Lankan designers’ perspectives were used in synthesising the findings. Originality/value The findings propose frameworks with theoretical and managerial implications for developing designers’ capabilities in apparel manufacturing countries that seek industrial upgrading through value-added fashion design practice.
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Folklore in fashion- preserving intangible cultural heritage through fashion.
(2023-08) Thilakarathne, S; Gopura, S; Wickramasinghe, A; Payne, A
Folklore has been an integral part of Sri Lankan culture for centuries and the story of Kuweni is one such entrancing narrative with historical significance, since it is directly linked to the origin of the Sinhalese nation. Kuweni’s importance extends beyond folk narratives and is also evident in ancient literature, describing her as a superhuman being, yet her true identity remains shrouded in mystery. Her shape-shifting abilities, as described in various legends, make Kuweni a fascinating character worthy of contemplation from many perspectives. Folklore is distinct from mythology, as it contains factual elements such as practices and customs that have a solid sociological background. Therefore, it is essential to preserve them ensuring that future generations can benefit from the sociocultural and anthropological values embedded to narratives. Folklore in Fashion PhD study addresses the crucial question of how to preserve folklore in a way that resonates with contemporary society.
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Integrated Design Research Journal - Vo1 01 Issue 01 (Pre-Text)
(Department of Integrated Design, University of Moratuwa, 2024) Samarawickrama, S; Gopura, S; Dalvi, G; Mahakalanda, I; Sreekumar, GV; Leonidas, G; Nawarathne, DJ; Wasala, K; Dharmalingam, UK; Girdher, TD; Karunaratne, PVM; Samarasekara, I