Sri Lanka's Sustainable Fashion Movement

Why Sri Lanka Must Address Textile Waste: Insights from Lonali RodrigoIn this episode of 'Sri Lanka, Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting Pot,' host Dee Gibson interviews fashion entrepreneur Lonali Rodrigo, discussing the pressing need for Sri Lanka to address textile waste. Lonali highlights the country's history in garment production and the growing challenge of pre- and post-consumer waste. Through her brand, House of Lonali, she exemplifies sustainable practices by up-cycling textile waste into new products, collaborating with local artisans, and engaging in educational initiatives. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the environmental and economic reasons driving Sri Lanka to tackle textile waste head-on.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:00 Meet Lonali Rodrigo: Fashion Entrepreneur02:52 House of Lonali: Sustainable Fashion04:45 Sri Lanka's Textile Industry08:19 Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Fashion17:45 The Upcycling Process at House of Lonali21:44 Collaborations and Projects36:31 Educational Initiatives and Oxford Fellowship43:22 Future OutlookAbout Lonali RodrigoFounder & Lead Designer, House of LonaliLonali Rodrigo is a designer, changemaker, and the visionary behind House of Lonali, a conscious designer brand and social enterprise rooted in ethical fashion. With a deep commitment to people and planet, Lonali creates uncompromisingly stylish designs that champion circularity, creativity, and entrepreneurship, all aligned with her mission to Design a Better Future.She holds a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Design from Northumbria University and a Master’s in Sustainable Management from the University of Bedfordshire. Lonali’s work and values are further shaped by her experience as a Chevening CRISP Fellow (Research, Science, and Innovation Leadership Programme) at the University of Oxford.Through House of Lonali, she continues to inspire a new generation of conscious consumers and creators by proving that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.https://www.lonali.comTitle: Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives from an Ancient Melting PotHost: Dee Gibson — Sri Lankan-born, award winning designer based in London and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka. www.kalukandahouse.com | instagram @deegibson2017 & @kalukandahousePodcast Themes:Modern Sri Lankan identity and cultureArchitecture, art, and designSustainability and heritageDiaspora experiences and storytellingWhy Listen:This podcast offers deep, intelligent storytelling about Sri Lanka’s evolving identity — a blend of East and West, ancient and modern. It’s for listeners who love culture, travel, architecture, and thoughtful conversation.