The BRICS International Fashion Federation, in collaboration with Colombo Fashion Week (CFW), presents the first South Asian Edition of the BRICS Fashion Summit in Colombo.
Sri Lanka has been selected as the host nation due to its strategic geo-political location, with Colombo Fashion Week’s standing as a founding member of the BRICS International Fashion Federation further reinforcing this decision. The country’s position as a bridge between South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the wider Indian Ocean region highlights the Federation’s commitment to strengthening its presence across some of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets.
Since its inception, the BRICS International Fashion Federation has played a key role in connecting fashion ecosystems across rapidly growing economies. By bringing together creative communities, policymakers, and industry leaders under a shared vision, the Federation has established a collaborative framework that transcends borders and creates opportunities for designers, manufacturers, and fashion entrepreneurs across member nations.
As a founding member, Colombo Fashion Week has been instrumental in bridging Sri Lanka’s diverse fashion landscape and fostering regional creative dialogue across South Asia. Now in its 23rd year, CFW remains one of only four fashion weeks in South Asia to have surpassed two decades of continuity. This South Asian Edition marks another important milestone in its journey as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading regional and international fashion platform.
The BRICS Fashion Summit will be held during Colombo Fashion Week on April 3rd at 11:00 AM at City of Dreams Sri Lanka. The event will bring together global fashion leaders, industry experts, and creative entrepreneurs for high-level discussions exploring the intersection of fashion, culture, and commerce within emerging economies.
The panel will be moderated by Shamindra Kulamannage, Editor of Echelon and Economy Next. He will be joined by a distinguished lineup of speakers including Alexander Shumsky, President of the Russian Fashion Council and board member of the BRICS International Fashion Federation; Rajesh Pratap Singh, one of India’s most acclaimed designers; Kuan Kevin Feng, representing Beijing Fashion Week; Hasitha Premaratne of Brandix Group; and Rizwan Beyg, renowned for his work in craft revival and South Asian textile heritage.
The discussion will explore whether the BRICS bloc can unlock meaningful opportunities for designers and apparel supply chains, how cultural heritage can be leveraged to enhance global fashion relevance, and the evolving role of South Asia within the broader BRICS creative and commercial ecosystem. The summit is expected to be a defining moment in positioning Colombo and the region at the centre of a growing global fashion dialogue.
CFW Summer ’26, presented by Mastercard, will take place from April 1–4 at City of Dreams Sri Lanka in Colombo. The BRICS Federation’s designer exchange programme continues this year, creating new international pathways for Sri Lankan talent. This edition also marks the debut participation of designers from South Africa and China on a Sri Lankan runway.
Featuring over 30 designers, the showcase brings together international participants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and China alongside leading Sri Lankan designers, making it one of the most globally diverse editions in the platform’s history. The CFW Emerging Designer initiative remains a key pillar of the platform, supporting the next generation of designers through structured mentorship, with eleven emerging designers set to present their collections this season.