CREATIVE STREAK
DATELINE HOLLYWOOD
December 31, 2019
THE TEST SQUAD
December 31, 2019
THE FREAKING GENIUS
Charlene Thuring
PROFILED BY Savithri Rodrigo
She is the first woman in the world to design and produce a 3D printed wedding dress under her label c.h.a.r.l.e.n.e. – and her practical nature emerges from hardworking parents who sacrificed everything to educate their children and make ends meet.
Charlene grew up with four older sisters and a brother; and as the youngest in the family, she was the recipient of hand-me-downs. The young lass was rebellious, mischievous, bullied by both students and teachers, and hardly the academic type. Expelled from school and desiring never to set foot in one again, she turned to sewing.
Having established her own label, Charlene modelled her clothes, walked the ramp, saw the lights and worked in swim design. She also worked at AOD – the Academy of Design. With the early years having shaped her career driven personality, she now thrives on her independ-ence.
While enjoying their quiet hideout in Battaramulla, she’s thankful for her partner of seven years Sarinda Unamboowe – she has the space to be the responsible, selfless and inspiring woman she aspires to be. Charlene appreciates the time she enjoys with Sarinda, and loves hanging out with their two extremely intelligent dogs Tyson and Nangi.
She loves a good head massage, ribbon cake and homemade fried rice, and is addicted to rice and curry. Charlene has harboured dreams of be-ing an explorer, pianist or ballet dancer and is hopeful that someday – after she has made her millions (while still young) – she’ll be able to pir-ouette into ballet lessons!
ABOUT CHARLENE
BIRTHDAY
16 February
FAMILY
Partner (Sarinda)
Mother (Mama Thuring)
Siblings (Stephen, Cynthia, Sandra and Susan)
Doggies (Tyson and Nangi)
ALMA MATER
Ladies’ College
HOBBIES
Calligraphy
Origami
LOVES
Singing in the shower
Cuddling
Adventures
PET PEEVES
‘I don’t know/I can’t’ attitude
Eve teasing and catcalling
People throwing printed receipts on the floor at ATMs
ALWAYS WANTED TO BE
A ballet dancer or drummer in a rock band
ADMIRES
Ingrid Silva
Margot Robbie
Megan Rapinoe
ROLE MODELS
Natalia Vodianova
Emma Watson
Elon Musk
Q: What’s work like these days?
A: Ten steps ahead of me and very hectic.
Q: Tell us what gives you an adrenaline rush when you design...
A: I like to create designs that are unusual and ones that haven’t been seen before.
Q: Do you design for yourself and then turn it into a collection?
A: Yes. First, I design for myself and then work to shaping a collection – I believe lots of people are able to relate to my style.
Q: How did your interest in biking come about?
A: It’s all Sarinda’s fault. I believe to this day that it was a selfish motive on his part since he wanted to get back to cycling and he made me believe that it was a wonderful addiction. Luckily for him, I loved it.
Q: So what’s exciting about cycling?
A: Going downhill on a flat road!
Q: What’s been the most challenging moment you’ve faced?
A: Competing in and completing Ironman 70.3 Colombo 2019 in February. I learned to swim in order to participate and now, I’m scarred for life.
Q: Describe your workout regime...
A: I prefer to get it out of the way first thing in the morning so I’m up by 4:45 a.m. and done by 6.30 a.m. And then I struggle to stay awake during the rest of the day!
Q: What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?
A: The best life lesson I’ve learnt is to build lots of memories because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Other lessons include changing with the times or else you’ll be left behind, and to go ahead and break some rules if it isn’t going to hurt anyone.
Q: If you were to change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I’d like to change my tendency to underestimate myself. I wish I was gutsier.
Q: What’s your quirkiest habit?
A: Calling myself ‘a freaking genius.’
Q: And the naughtiest thing you’ve done...
A: Slept with the boss!
Q: What gives you the greatest joy?
A: I was waiting to see my garden filled with fireflies – and after about a year of research to build the perfect breeding ground, it happened.
Q: Three things no one knows about you...
A: I’m almost a hundred percent grey, hate to shop and love the beach.
Q: What causes move you?
A: Anything related to children.
Q: Do you cook?
A: I bake better than I can cook… and I make an excellent butter cake.
Q: What’s your personal style?
A: Stylish minimalism.
Q: What can’t you do without?
A: My toolbox.
Q: Values you live by...
A: You are responsible for yourself so be the best version of you.
Q: Where and when are you the happiest?
A: At home on the balcony with a drink in hand and chatting with Sari – while Tyson and Nangi are at our feet; or at the beach.
Q: If you could transport yourself somewhere, where would it be?
A: I’d like to go to Alaska to gaze at its sheer wilderness.
Q: How would Sarinda describe you?
A: ‘Cha FM’ (non-stop jabber like a radio station), drama queen, freaking genius.
Q: And how would you describe him?
A: Adventurous, talented, inspiring.
Q: What annoys you about Sari and vice versa?
A: He can never stick to a plan, is very indecisive and changes his mind about three or four times. In turn, he says I have the memory of a goldfish.
Q: The hair colour that defines you...
A: Red
Q: If you could work under any designer, who would it be?
A: Alexander McQueen – an absolute genius.
Q: What’s on your bucket list?
A: Travelling the Silk Road, visiting Mongolia, climbing Mount Fuji and braving the Amazon.
Q: Plans for 2020...
A: To work towards a ‘zero single use plastic’ environment in schools and for myself through home innovations.
Q: And what’s in store for Charlene after 2030?
A: Hopefully have my business breakthrough and be a millionaire who’s retired, and travel the world with Sari.
CHARLENE’S FAVOURITES
BRANDS
Uniqlo
Nike
PINK (for underwear)
DESIGNERS (LOCAL)
Peronie Stefel
Christeen Silva (Absolute Basics)
Nayani Fernando (an emerging designer with lots of promise)
DESIGNERS GLOBAL
Karl Lagerfeld
Alexander McQueen
Moschino
CLOTHES
Oversized white shirts (she wears Sarinda’s)
Jeggings
T-shirts
SPORTS
Distance running
Cycling
SPORTSMEN
Usain Bolt
Eliud Kipchoge
Michael Jordan
SPORTSWOMEN
Megan Rapinoe
Juliana Buhring
Amanda Nunes
ENTERTAINERS
Madonna
Aerosmith
Robbie Williams
RESTAURANTS
Palmyrah Restaurant
The Lagoon
Rare at Residence
CUISINE
Japanese
Simple Sri Lankan
Vietnamese
LOCAL HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Wilpattu
Ahangama
Mannar
OVERSEAS HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
The Amazon
South America
Mongolia
GLOBAL INFLUENCERS
Ellen DeGeneres
ENTREPRENEURS
Fazry (Waste Less Arugam Bay)
Alia Whitney-Johnson (Emerge Global)
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
Bicycle or motorcycle
Motorcycle
Sprint or endurance
Endurance
Nike or Reebok
Nike
Long or short dress
Long
Sandals or high heels
Sandals
Appliqué or embroidery
Embroidery
Grunge or Goth
Grunge
Earrings or bracelet
Earrings
Lipstick or lip-gloss
Lipstick
Book or Kindle
Book
Theatre or cinema
Cinema
Musical or comedy
Comedy
Action or romance
Romance
Smoothie or juice
Juice
Mojito or margarita
Neither – Martini
Champagne or rosé
Champagne
Pasta or rice
Oh, this is cruel!
Chocolate or cheese
Cheese
Pop or hip-hop
Hip-hop (1990s)
Karaoke or dance club
Dance club
