Fashion Meets Compassion “The Millinery’’ Charity Showcase at Hilton Colombo

Colombo’s social calendar is about to welcome a night of high style with heartfelt purpose, as The Millinery Charity Fashion Show graces the runway of Hilton Colombo on October 10, 2025.

Organized in collaboration with the Lady Hilton Club, MODART International, JATAA by Caroline Jurie, the International Academy of Fashion (IAF), and CHERUB by Tina Edward Gunawardhana, the evening promises to blend glamour with generosity, celebrating not only fashion but also the power of compassion.

This year’s theme, “The head is yours, so is the story”, is a poignant tribute to individuality and identity. At its heart, the show highlights the strength of cancer patients at Apeksha Hospital, many of whom endure the challenge of hair loss during treatment.

Last year, the initiative made waves when students of MODART International and IAF, together with JATAA, designed an exclusive collection of turbans and headscarves for Apeksha patients. Guided by Niroshani Leanage, Caroline Jurie, and Dr. Mihiri Wickramaratne, the students not only created the pieces but also personally demonstrated how to wear them—turning fabric into a source of dignity, comfort, and joy.

This year, the spotlight shifts to breathtaking collections presented by the students themselves, each bringing their own unique vision to the runway. From Bhagya Sandamini’s delicate sakura-inspired silhouettes and Dulyana Dulsandi’s whimsical mythical creatures, to Pabasara Thanusari’s eco-conscious tribute to the Sinharaja forest and Binuri Sahanya’s fairy-tale bridal gowns, creativity will be on full display. Designers Wasana Sewwandi and Mareena Silva channel the opulence of Elie Saab, while Ashani Sundarawadu makes a bold statement with a collection rooted in body positivity.

Adding further brilliance to the evening, CHERUB by Tina Edward Gunawardhana (whose mother and mother in law succumbed to cancer) will present a special batik and headwear line—ensuring that tradition and artistry take center stage alongside innovation.

With Colombo’s fashion elite, philanthropists, and socialites expected to attend, The Millinery promises to be more than a runway show. It will be an evening where couture becomes a canvas for courage, where stories are stitched into fabric, and where fashion extends its hand to heal.