BRICS+ Fashion Summit logo. Colombo, Sri Lanka, is set to host the first South Asian edition of the BRICS Fashion Summit during Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) from April 1–4, 2026. Organised by the newly established BRICS International Fashion Federation in partnership with CFW, the summit underscores Sri Lanka’s strategic role as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia and the wider Indian Ocean region. The Federation – launched at the 2024 BRICS+ Summit in Moscow – aims to connect the fashion industries of fast-growing economies and promote collaboration among designers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s emergence as a regional fashion hub and highlights Colombo’s growing global profile in the industry.
Summit Panel and Discussions
A high-profile panel of international fashion leaders will headline the summit’s opening session on April 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the City of Dreams Sri Lanka complex. Moderated by Shamindra Kulamannage (Editor of Echelon and Economy Next), the discussion will feature influential figures from across BRICS countries:
- Alexander Shumsky: President of the Russian Fashion Council.
- Rajesh Pratap Singh: Acclaimed Indian designer known for blending craft and contemporary design.
- Kuan Kevin Feng: Senior figure at Beijing Fashion Week representing China’s fashion sector.
- Hasitha Premaratne: Managing Director of Brandix Group, one of South Asia’s leading apparel conglomerates.
- Rizwan Beyg: Renowned Pakistani designer and craft revivalist.
Together, the panel will examine whether the BRICS bloc offers tangible opportunities for designers and apparel supply chains in emerging markets, and how member nations can leverage their rich cultural heritage as a driver of global fashion relevance. Discussions are also expected to address South Asia’s role within the broader BRICS creative and commercial synergy. Organizers describe the summit as a “defining moment” that positions Colombo and the wider region at the center of an increasingly significant global fashion dialogue.
Colombo Fashion Week 2026 Highlights
The BRICS Summit will run alongside CFW Summer ’26 (presented by Mastercard), which is scheduled from April 1–4 at the City of Dreams Colombo complex. The programme includes the continuation of the BRICS designer exchange initiative and will mark historic first appearances by South African and Chinese designers on the Sri Lankan runway. In total, more than 30 designers will showcase collections during the event a lineup that organizers say makes this one of CFW’s most internationally diverse editions to date. Confirmed participants include Rajesh Pratap Singh and Payal Pratap (India), Asad Sattar (Bangladesh), Wang Ting and Ji Cheng (China), Andile Cele (South Africa), and Sania Maskatiya (Pakistan), alongside leading Sri Lankan labels.
CFW itself is a long-established event: now in its 23rd year, it is one of only four fashion weeks in South Asia to have run for more than two decades. This longevity underlines Colombo’s growing stature in regional fashion. By combining a regional showcase with the international BRICS summit, CFW organisers aim to highlight Sri Lanka’s role as a creative and commercial gateway between South Asia and other emerging markets.
Nurturing Emerging Talent
In addition to established names, CFW Summer ’26 will spotlight rising talent through its Emerging Designers initiative. Eleven up-and-coming designers have been selected to present collections under a structured mentorship programme. Among these emerging designers are Arsath Furkhan, Thisaru Fernando, Shavindi Wijesooriya, Prabadhi Bandara, and Nilupa Weerakoon, all of whom will benefit from guidance by CFW and industry veterans. The initiative is designed to give young entrepreneurs a platform to enter the industry and connect with international markets through the BRICS network.
A Platform for Global Fashion Dialogue
Overall, the BRICS Fashion Summit’s South Asian debut highlights Colombo’s evolution as an important node in the fashion world. Organizers emphasize that by bringing together stakeholders from BRICS and South Asian nations, the summit will help shape “fashion’s next frontier”. With its rich cultural heritage, growing design talent, and emerging-market potential, South Asia and Sri Lanka in particular are being positioned at the heart of a new global conversation about creativity, commerce and collaboration in fashion.
Sources: Official announcements by Colombo Fashion Week and the BRICS Fashion Summit
Content Courtesy of Colombo & NFH Digital Team