We started the PR Rising Star program in 2019. It's been an exciting journey and PR has been lucky to feature some really new young and talented local designers enthusiastic-to-retail and launch a label.
Our model is simple. We select a designer who fits the profile and they are offered 3 months on their own exclusive rail. They have their own display window to create their unique VM with PR direction and advice, to express their collection and ethos.
Our PR Rising Stars are expected to be in regular touch with our sales team, learning about customer feedback and fitting experiences and they do all alterations themselves, free of charge to the customer. We've found this process allows our designers to really learn something from the experience and be reminded that to create a successful label, it's not just about having a retailer.
During this challenging time in our lives, it's been so hard for even our established designers to simply source fabric and produce... so we are absolutely thrilled to be able to present a second young star for this year in August.
Yeshika Managé brings what she calls 'Imperfection is Perfection' to PR!
PR - Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to study fashion.
Yeshika - My name is Yeshika Manage. I am a young passionate designer, that has an absolute love for all things related to art and fashion. From a young age, I have been absolutely certain that I wanted to be a fashion designer, I was always inspired by designers and regularly stalked Vogue Online to feed my interest and passion.
PR - How many years have you been studying and when did you graduate?
Yeshika - I did my Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design and Textiles for 3 years at the Academy of Design and I graduated in 2019. I’m still learning something new every day.
"I’m still learning something new every day."
PR - Who's the designers who have inspired you?
Yeshika - There are a number of designers that I look up to and that have inspired me, although the one designer I constantly look up to would be Cristobal Balenciaga. At the time of creating this collection I found myself inspired by Jacquemus.
PR - Tell us about this new collection you are launching at PR. Yeshika - This collection dives deeper into the traditional way of dressing of the typical Sri Lankan woman, the redhai hettai, and the infamous saree and how it is draped. The prints were inspired by animals and a sense of freedom in an imperfect world.
The names of each garment are unique and were inspired by the very thing that keeps love together, family.
PR - So what are craft processes you've used and what inspires your use of colour and prints? Yeshika - In the collection, I have a mix of both digital and artisanal printing techniques all originally by myself, carefully hand-drawn tropical florals.
Batik is used as the main textile method in keeping with something intrinsic to Sri Lankan craft, I've added hand embellishments.
The colour pallets is a reflection of vibrance even during these dark times there is still so much light, to create a sense of happiness and hope. PR - How do you feel about being a PR Rising Star in 2021? Yeshika - I truly think that the PR Rising Star program is a great opportunity for all young designers that are truly passionate about creating their labels. And it is amazing that PR is giving younger designers a spotlight to shine and to get an all-rounded experience on what it is like to really launch a brand.
I truly think that the PR Rising Star program is a great opportunity for all young designers that are truly passionate about creating their labels. And it is amazing that PR is giving younger designers a spotlight to shine and to get an all-rounded experience on what it is like to really launch a brand.
PR - How has this last year been challenging for you in design and in production? Yeshika - The year has been extremely challenging due to Covid, because of all the constant restrictions it has been almost impossible to get things done on time! PR - What inspires you and where do you hope to see your label grow?
Yeshika - I think for me a lot of art has inspired me, mainly because I adore print, textile, and colour. My work is very much influenced by colour and a dream-like thought process almost like an escape from reality.
I definitely hope to see my brand grow at PR and obviously like most designers I would love my brand to be recognized globally.
Show some support for young design and check out Yeshika Manage's new collection in store at PR and online here