About Me
Hi I'm Rebeka Don Bastiange, Fashion Graduate from Coventry University
I am a creative individual with an eye for detail, especially in fashion. I’m very interested in distinctive styles of fashion, styling and jewellery. This is all showcased during my three years at Coventry University.
During my year-long internship at Jakelle Studios, I gained insights into the intricate process of building a collection and grasped a deeper understanding of fulfilling customer desires. This ignited my passion to delve into the needs and aspirations of my own clientele, giving rise to the birth of Aliya, my heritage brand.
INSPIRATION
My heritage and culture
My collection demonstrates the beauty and richness that Sri Lanka holds along with the beautiful stories behind our beliefs. The Relic Tooth Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Buddhism, a specially chosen elephant carries the tooth of Buddha around the city of Kandy. My customer profile is the type of person who enjoys statement pieces as well as having influences of different cultures in their life.
I want to create a collection of pieces that can be styled with jewellery that will elevate the garments and give someone the chance to step out of their comfort zone with huge silhouettes and dramatic jewellery. Like, Daniel Lismore does this by combining haute culture in his work.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
DETAIL
Forgotten Beauty
Throughout history, society has constructed many stereotypes aimed at the South Asian community, for example, many believe we are poor, uneducated and come from slums. A major misconception widely used is that assuming any brown person is from India and is Hindu. Sri Lanka is often overlooked and forgotten by society, especially given its recent socioeconomic issues and corruption. But they always forget the beauty, there is more to the country than the slums and the difficulties. People are often quick to see the faults in something or someone whilst forgetting all the good things. My collection demonstrates the beauty and richness that Sri Lanka holds along with the beautiful stories behind our beliefs. I mainly focused on the importance of elephants to the Sri Lankan culture and highlight their beauty.
"Heritage in fashion is a tapestry woven with threads of tradition, culture, and craftsmanship, that embody the rich narratives of our past and celebrate the beauty of our collective history."
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