Threads of Change: The Sri Lankan Designer Weaving a Sustainable, Gender-Free Future

Meet Amesh Wijesekera, a talented designer from Sri Lanka. He’s making waves in the fashion world by creating beautiful, colorful clothes that are good for the planet and made for everyone, no matter how they identify. His story is about mixing old traditions with new ideas to create a brighter future for fashion.

Amesh Wijesekera, a name now whispered with admiration in fashion circles, carries the vibrant spirit of Sri Lanka in every stitch. This isn’t just about clothes for Amesh; it’s about telling a new story of his homeland, a story woven with threads of tradition, sustainability, and a bold vision of beauty that transcends boundaries.

Sri Lankan designer Amesh Wijesekera is making a name for himself with his unique approach to fashion. He creatively combines traditional Sri Lankan handwoven fabrics with recycled materials to craft vibrant, gender-neutral clothing.

— Nairobi Fashion Hub (@nairobifashionhub.bsky.social) 2025-05-02T11:04:46.291Z

“When I moved to London,” Amesh shared, his voice carrying a hint of the journey, “I wondered how to truly share who I am, where I come from, with the world. Fashion became my language.” His creations are a testament to this exploration, a modern twist on the age-old art of Sri Lankan handloom fabric. This heritage craft, often unseen on international runways, finds new life in Amesh’s hands. He shapes it into flowing coats, striking jackets, and comfortable trousers – pieces designed not for a specific gender, but for anyone who connects with their vibrant energy.

“I’ve never really understood labels,” Amesh mused about his inclusive approach. “I simply want to create beautiful shapes and colors. Whoever wants to wear them, can wear them.” His runway shows are a living testament to this philosophy, a celebration of diverse individuals who bring their own unique stories to his creations.

Scrolling through Amesh’s Instagram feed feels like stepping into his world. The faces that grace his page are often friends or people he’s personally scouted – never from agencies. “I am a dark brown person with frizzy curly hair,” he stated with a quiet pride, “and that is part of my identity, my idea of beauty.” This deep-rooted sense of self is woven into the very fabric of his brand.

Amesh’s journey began in 2015, after his graduation from the Academy of Design in Colombo. His talent shone brightly from the start, with his graduation collection earning accolades at Colombo’s prestigious Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and later at Graduate Fashion Week in London. Since then, his work has graced the runways of Berlin and London, and earned recognition in the pages of Vogue Italia.

Despite his international success, Sri Lanka remains the heart of Amesh’s inspiration. “While the island is known for its beaches and tourism,” he explained, “we also have an incredible crafting industry.” He has made it his mission to center his work around the resources and skills of his home country. Collaboration lies at the core of his design process. He works closely with local artisans, visiting their homes in weaving villages to blend their traditional knowledge with his contemporary vision. This partnership not only infuses his pieces with authentic Sri Lankan craftsmanship but also provides fair employment and wages to a predominantly female workforce. “I try to involve the artisans as much as possible,” he emphasized. “I want it to be a true collaboration.”

Sustainability is another key thread in Amesh’s narrative. He creatively repurposes waste, particularly the excess materials discarded by larger manufacturing industries in the Global South. “A lot of Western countries send their wool to Sri Lanka for manufacturing, and the leftover yarns are often burnt,” he explained. “I incorporate these leftover yarns into my designs, based on what I find. It makes each piece almost one-of-a-kind.” This resourceful approach echoes the work of other forward-thinking designers who are finding beauty and innovation in discarded materials.

With a deep respect for the environment, Amesh ensures that his designs are entirely handmade, without the use of machines. He also consciously avoids purchasing new fabrics, embracing the “treasure hunt” of local markets where he finds deadstock or unusable stock from garment factories. “From Calvin Klein to Tommy Hilfiger, all the excess fabric is sold to the markets,” he described. Even fabrics with imperfections find new life in his hands. “I often find beautiful fabrics, but they’re damaged with holes,” he said. “After treatment, the fabric has its own identity. I leave my ‘Amesh’ stamp on it” – giving what might have been waste a vibrant second chapter.

Amesh collaborates with local artisans, supporting their craft and promoting sustainability. His designs, showcased internationally, tell a new story of Sri Lanka and celebrate a beauty that embraces everyone, proving that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.

— Nairobi Fashion Hub (@nairobifashionhub.bsky.social) 2025-05-02T11:09:03.026Z

Amesh’s unique perspective extends beyond environmental consciousness to a powerful deconstruction of gender norms, a vision shaped by his own upbringing. “My mother sent me to ballet. I used to play with my sister’s dolls,” he recalled. “I’d always wear my mother’s clothes or my grandma’s old trousers.” His Spring-Summer 2020 collection, aptly named “Flower Boys,” continued this exploration, featuring male models in traditionally “feminine” attire, blurring the lines of expectation. “The shapes aren’t overly feminine or overly masculine,” he explained. “It’s at the borderline, where it could be anything. It’s all about how you style it, your personal style of expression and your identity.”

For Amesh, challenging ingrained societal norms is deeply personal. “Being a queer person, I know the everyday struggles in this country, unfortunately,” he shared with honesty. His work, therefore, becomes a form of quiet activism, inviting others to embrace their true selves.

The impact of Amesh’s work resonates deeply with his followers. “A lot of Sri Lankans message me saying that my work is inspiring them to be themselves,” he said, his voice filled with genuine emotion. “That makes me really happy; it’s the biggest achievement. My work means something to people and helps foster their identities.”

Through his vibrant designs, his commitment to sustainability, and his unwavering belief in a world without rigid gender boundaries, Amesh Wijesekera is not just creating clothes; he is weaving a future where tradition and innovation intertwine, where waste finds new beauty, and where everyone feels seen and celebrated for who they truly are. His story is a powerful reminder that fashion can be a force for positive change, one colorful, consciously crafted thread at a time.

Content courtesy of NFH Digital Team