Fashion designer Darshi Keerthisena of Buddhi Batiks is set to debut her latest collection this month highlighting the great diversity of the Sri Lankan wilderness and the need to protect it at t-lounge by Dilmah. Dilmah with its rich history and tea culture has partnered with a Sri Lankan local designer who is essentially keeping the art of batiks dating back centuries alive through her collection. This was a unique collaboration between Darshi and Resplendent Ceylon, a collection of luxury resorts in Sri Lanka, which is also part of the Dilmah group of companies. 

The t-Lounge by Dilmah is an upscale, elegant place designed around the enjoyment and appreciation of fine tea; complemented by tea-inspired gastronomy, mixology, and elegant experience. Stocking premium teas, Dilmah t-Series presents a collection of teas that are known around the world only for their excellence. The range presents a vast array of designer gourmet teas including Very Special Rare Tea like the Ceylon Silver Tips and Seasonal Flush.

“We are very thrilled to be showcasing our exclusive collection at the elegant t-Lounge by Dilmah. This collection is very special and close to my heart as it highlights the great diversity of the Sri Lankan wilderness and the need to protect it. Dilmah t-lounge with its rich history and culture would be an ideal host to carry our collections to the audiences while raising awareness.” said Darshi Keerthisena, creative director of Buddhi Batiks. 

The collection displayed at the pop-up is curated of motifs drawing inspiration from the iconic Sri Lankan leopard, endemic birds, butterflies, moths, together with the beautiful tropical rainforest flora and fauna. They are realised using batik, a craft that combines the illustrative skills of an artist with a wax-resist dyeing technique applied to natural fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, and so on. Each piece that is produced at Buddhi Batiks is hand-painted in wax by talented artisans, and hand-dyed by experienced dye masters in a seemingly unlimited variety of colours, ranging from the most vibrant of hues to the subtlest, softest pastels and creams. The piece is then boiled, and sun-dried, and the process is repeated over for every additional colour. Each piece is therefore a unique product of several artisans’ tender care; each piece is a unique work of batik art.

This collection was photographed at Wild Coast Tented Lodge, located in Yala, which is home to the highest density of leopards in the world. It was this region and area that was the primary inspiration for the diversity of the patterns that are brought to life in these designs. As a part of the Buddhi Batiks Safari Collection, the designer will be showcasing saris, dresses, skirts, tops, pants, jumpsuits, shawls, clutch bags, wall art, fabric masks, hair ties, men’s shirts, t-shirts, and sarongs.