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The
‘Real Woman’ revealed
She’s strong, she’s powerful, she’s non-conformist
and she’s her own woman. She has attitude, she has charisma
and she takes no nonsense from anyone! But through it all she exudes
a femininity and beauty that’s unique and distinctive, epitomising
her own individual style. These are women who have pushed boundaries,
who have worked hard and have gained independence. For the first
time in the history of fashion in Sri Lanka, Cotton Collection reveals
the ‘Real Woman’, a woman of substance, a multiple role
player adept at multi tasking and is secure in her own ‘skin’.
All three Sri Lankan women identified post a survey conducted, will
be the face of the new communication strategy launched by Cotton
Collection this season.
Minoli Rathnayake, Shyamalee Tudawe and Anitra Pieris will become
the new faces of Cotton Collection, undertaking the challenging
but exciting task of revealing that femininity, strength, power,
beauty and individuality are complimentary characteristics in any
woman. None of these are the stereotypical woman who conforms to
diktats of society, but rather women who have conceptualised and
carved a niche for themselves, who have their own individual style
and believe in simply being themselves.
Minoli is currently chief editor of five publications, all hip,
cool and snazzy, devoted to a range of subjects from hot property
news to cool stuff to do in Colombo. When approached by Managing
Director of Cotton Collection Niloufer Anverally to be one of the
three revolutionary women, the effervescent Minoli says, “I
was thrilled because it is an extremely clever idea. It also breaks
down barriers, where women feel inhibited about certain things.
All three of us have our own personalities, we are feisty and we
do different things. But most of all, we are true to ourselves and
what we want and I’m sure, every woman out there will identify
with one of us and I hope will gain some positive aspects from the
message we are giving them.”
Niloufer, who has been working closely with all three women during
the run up to the unveiling of the ‘Real Woman’, says,
“Each is their own person, a great multi tasker, who does not
fit into the typical mother, wife or career woman role. I wanted
women who are different but also women who will be the role model
for thousands out there who may not have the confidence or the courage
to take up the baton. I’m hoping that this campaign will spur
women to take the initiative to maximise their potential and to
be happy in themselves. The women we have used are all different
sizes too because none of us are made perfect and none of us have
typical model figures. Through, Cotton Collection I want to give
women opportunities, options, ideas and choices to experiment and
add value to their personalities and individuality.”
The Editor of Hi!! Shyamalee Tudawe is a walking revolution. It
was she who took Colombo society and turned it on its head, making
her magazine the ‘must be featured in’ publication not
only in Sri Lanka but around the world. Mother to two teenage sons,
Shyamalee radiates a sense of power and strength that compliments
her own individual sense of style. A forthright attitude to work
that is sprinkled with much effervescence when the need arises,
she says, “I’m a wife, a mother and I run a magazine,
which takes up lots of time and travel. I’m not however, the
typical housewife – I don’t do those conventional things
because I’m not made that way. But that’s nothing to be
ashamed of nor is it a slight on being a woman.
As
long as the family is happy and I’m happy, who is to dictate
how we should behave, how we should dress or what our roles in society
should be? I like pushing boundaries and I have no problem about
standing up for what’s right. Some people have even called
me a feminist. Women must have the confidence to let society see
the power, strength and character that lie behind the true woman.”
A former model who continues to look every inch the model but has,
over the years, showcased a mature beauty, Anitra Pieris, like Minoli
and Shyamalee, is a firm proponent of powerful women. “As women
get older, get married and have children, especially in Sri Lanka,
their outlook on life becomes more conservative and almost staid.
I believe that this is what society wants us women to become but
it doesn’t necessarily mean we have to conform to it, unless
we are happy doing it. Just because you become a mother or wife,
doesn’t mean you give up on the other facets of your life!
Personally, I have continued to enjoy life to the fullest. My lifestyle
is geared towards balancing responsibilities and the fun moments
in a way that I feel fulfilled and happy, which naturally then permeates
the family and those around me.”
In the campaign which will encompass print, direct marketing, in-store,
billboards and merchandising to complement it, aims to attract every
woman from the age of 18 to 50,” according to Niloufer. In
the campaign, the three women are portrayed to reflect their own
personalities: Minoli whose cheeky mischievousness is portrayed
as the ‘IT-Girl’, Shyamalee as powerful yet feminine and
Anitra as a carefree and fun loving individual. “With this
campaign, we want to celebrate Real Women,” explains Niloufer.
Those women who are homemakers, business and professional women,
women of all ages, mothers, wives, sisters and friends. Women who
hold their own; who are powerful and who have character but remain
feminine to the core. This season Cotton Collection celebrates you.
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