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DESIGN QUEEN

Ruchira Karunaratne

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

Ruchira Karunaratne
PROFILED BY Savithri Rodrigo

Counting 20 years in the industry today, she has steadfastly focussed her collections on being a tribute to women and their femininity. Intricately handcrafted and best seen in Ruchira’s favourite colour palette of champagne, gold, pink, black, red and white, Rebel has evolved from ready-to-wear clothes to customised designer dresses… with a ‘rebellious’ touch, of course.

Ruchira has been through ups and downs in life but maintains that each chapter made her stronger, as well as more adept at understanding life’s nuances. Meditation, listening to bana and steeping herself in the philosophy of Buddhism have been the building blocks of Ruchira’s practical outlook on life

However, work always takes precedence because she’s passionate about it; and it’s the reason she wakes up in the morning brimming with exuberance.

Though she was born in Ratnapura, her parents relocated to Colombo to ensure that their daughters received a good education. And Ruchira didn’t disappoint when she excelled in the Grade 5 scholarship exam, and gained entry to Visakha Vidyalaya.

But at 12, Ruchira’s mind turned from conventional academics to creative spheres as evidenced by her books that were filled with fashion sketches, which led to many a reprimand from her teachers.

The rebel in her persisted nevertheless; and today, it’s fashion that has taken her into the spotlight and onto the ramp as a designer.

Single and “happily divorced,” Ruchira has an enviable recipe for the joy she exudes through her naturally affable personality. She lives next door to her parents with the love of her life Kalu – an eight-year-old female rescue dog she adopted a few months ago.

"It was amazing working with healers who knew who I was even before I knew myself"

ABOUT RUCHIRA

BIRTHDAY
25 April

FAMILY
Parents (Asoka and Lakshmi)
Sister (Nurangi)
Doggie (Kalu)

ALMA MATER
Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya
Visakha Vidyalaya

ADMIRES
People who enjoy inner peace

HOBBIES
Painting
Travelling
Spending time with loved ones

LOVES
Spending time on personal growth and goals
The joy and freedom of an open mind
Relationships that improve and inspire

PET PEEVES
Poor service
Obnoxious behaviour
People who are unkind to animals

ALWAYS WANTED TO BE
A good human being

ROLE MODELS
Her best friend (Dinu Dehigama)
Her parents
Anyone who inspires her to be a better person

Q: What’s work like these days?
A: I have lots of creative work in terms of bridal and retinue designs to keep me on my toes. But the absolute satisfaction of seeing the final look is worth all the stress.

Q: How did you venture into design?
A: From the age of 12, I wanted to be creative. A family friend ran a clothing factory, which I was obsessed with – and when I was 15, I spent all my time there observing, learning and supervising intently. On Sundays, mum would give me a packed lunch and I’d spend the entire day in the factory. That experience set me on this path.

Q: What gives you an adrenaline rush when designing?
A: The outcome and final look of my design.

Q: Is your personal style reflected in your designs?
A: My regular personal style for work is extremely casual and comfortable; but for evening events, I’m usually dolled up in my own creations since I enjoy dressing up once in a while.

Q: What’s the toughest challenge you face when planning a ramp show that features your designs?
A: Coordinating a good show is very stressful – especially if there isn’t a good choreographer and sponsor. If these are sorted out, it’s easy for a designer to participate in a ramp show anytime.

Q: Tell us about what keeps you ticking...
A: Seeing the bright side of life and staying positive keeps me ticking.

Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I’m straightforward and truthful, and lose my patience and temper with people who aren’t.

Q: What’s the legacy you would like to leave behind?
A: I’d like to inspire other designers who are artistic and talented, to achieve and pursue a career in design – even if they haven’t had a formal education in a fashion school.

Q: And what do you regret most?
A: I regret not valuing my life more and not getting out of tricky situations early enough. Sometimes, being patient and kind is a waste of time. But I have no regrets because I’ve become a stronger woman as a result.

Q: If you were to change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I would like to spend more time meditating without being distracted.

Q: The source of your greatest joy is...?
A: Seeing the look of delight on a client’s face when she sees the eventual creation.

Q: How and why did you start meditating?
A: I don’t meditate as frequently as I’d like to because my workdays are long, and I have to be free and light-hearted to focus properly; but I observe sil every poya day at the Vipassanā Centre. It was under Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa’s directions that I began meditating.

Q: Name three things you can’t do without...
A: Freedom, ‘kalyana mithrayas’ and my beloved Kalu.

Q: What values did your parents instil in you?
A: To speak the truth always… even if I was punished for it.

Q: If you had a chance to meet any designer, who would it be?
A: Vera Wang, who was a senior fashion editor at Vogue for 15 years and design director for Ralph Lauren – she then launched her own bridal boutique. She embodies a wealth of experience and has had some absolutely amazing achievements.

Q: Three things you want to do before you die...
A: I’d like to give as much as I can with open arms, be as close to nibbana as I can and build a temple someday.

 
"Seeing the bright side of life and staying positive keeps me ticking"

RUCHIRA’S FAVOURITES

BRANDS
Nike
Michael Kors
MAC Cosmetics

DESIGNERS (LOCAL)
Lou Ching Wong
Purnima Abeyratne
Yolanda Aluwihare

DESIGNERS (GLOBAL)
Elie Saab
Zuhair Murad
Vera Wang

CLOTHES
Pants
T-shirts
Long dresses

RETAIL CHAINS
Next
Michael Kors
Victoria’s Secret

SPORTSEN
Duncan White
Muttiah Muralitharan

SPORTSWOMEN
Susanthika Jayasinghe
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala

ENTERTAINERS
Nadie Kahatapitiya Algama
Corrine Almeida
Oprah Winfrey

CUISINE
Chinese
Thai
Continental

LOCAL HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Ella
Nuwara Eliya
Horton Plains

OVERSEAS HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
United States
United Kingdom
Thailand

GLOBAL INFLUENCERS
Anagarika Dharmapala
Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahathera

ENTREPRENEURS
Samitha Wijayasekara – The Wedding Flowers
Anusha Pathirana Silva – Goodies by Anush
Umanga Chandrasiri – Poru Weddings

LEADERS
Otara Gunewardene
Linda Speldewinde
Varuni Amunugama Fernando

QUICK-FIRE ROUND


Lake or sea
Lake

Run or walk
Walk

Cycle or drive
Drive

Heels or sandals
Sandals

Long or short dress
Long

Silk or linen
Silk

Sequins or embroidery
Embroidery

Jeans or shorts
Jeans

Necklace or earrings
Necklace

TV or cinema
TV

Book or magazine
Both

Drama or action
Drama

Reality or romance
Reality

Pudding or fruit
Pudding

Tea or juice
Juice

Mojito or margarita
Mojito

Rice or bread
Bread

Pasta or noodles
Pasta

Chocolate or cheese
Both

Roses or orchids
Roses

Jungle or desert
Jungle

Kittens or puppies
Puppies

Wildlife or adventure
Wildlife

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