Dinesh Chandrasena draws from industry experience spanning numerous apparel market segments in Los Angeles, Paris, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka, and is passionate about all things style related.
After completing her degree from the fashion institute of design and merchandising in Los Angeles, Dinesh went on to create eveningwear for many Hollywood Stars including Oscar winners Sandra Bullock and Dame Julie Andrews along with numerous Miss USA and Miss America pageant winners while working as designer at Claire’s Collection in LA. From creative directing international events, overseeing re-branding projects for the likes of Sri Lankan Airlines and creative styling shoots for Cinnamon Hotels and resorts. Dinesh brings the extensive experience of training, choreographing, and directing models for fashion runway shows, and fashion shoots for local and international brands, and pageants
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- You have been in education over the past decade tell Us how design education has evolved?
Our priority in education is to prepare and guide creative minds so that when they complete formal education they are fully prepared academically to enter the fashion industry. I have guest lectured at numerous institutions as well as lead the academic team on a full time basis, while also serving on academic committees. Tapping into the energies of a prospective designer while understanding that “unique” is a plus, means success in the education process. Changes include a move towards more project based assessments that highlight a “hands on approach” and also knowing that educators need to be involved in the industry in order to impart the unique experiences they encounter.
- You are also training models for their career, tell us about this?
I have trained and directed models over the entire course of my career in Sri Lanka and internationally. From creative directing brand photo shoots in London Los Angeles, Dubai and Paris, to training both female and male models for ramp modeling, I combine global experience with my knowledge of what the International industry truly requires, to make sure that the models I train are completely prepared for success.
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- What are some of the unique aspects of Your model training?
Well, training a model means nurturing their strengths to the level where they are at the forefront, and a backbone to their positivity. My training includes training for ramp walking, preparing models for photo shoots where they needs to emote and project for the camera, to successfully project the image of a brand and tell a “story” for commercials shoots, along with highlighting the esthetics of good nutrition, skin care and personality development.
- When model training do You look for a certain look in prospective models?
A model is not just someone with a certain shape and looks. That’s a way of thinking that’s in the past. We in the 21st century are in an evolving industry where “unique” counts for a lot, and the different areas of the industry (commercial, editorial, ramp etc) means that no matter the age or body dimensions there is a place in the industry for Model success. This is very important for people to understand.
- Dinesh You have been in the international fashion industry for 25 years, tell Us some of the highlights?
Working with celebrities over the years has given me a unique perspective and Oscar winners Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Dame Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway were awesome to design for, and regionally designing for Jacqueline Fernandez, and Sonakshi Sinha along with creative directing numerous pageants and re-branding of multi nationals have broadened my creative horizons.
- As You are an academic design educator and also training models, any advice for future designers and models?
Be true to Yourself. It may be quite a cliche but this has sustained me professionally over years. Be genuine and always exude positivity and professionalism in whatever You do, combined with a strong work ethic. These points I believe are the basics of success.
- You are also training models for their career, tell us about this?
We have the “Model Academy” here in Colombo to prepare prospective models for successful careers. I have trained and directed models over the course of my career in Sri Lanka and internationally. From creative directing brand photo shoots in London Los Angeles, Dubai and Paris, to training both female and male models for ramp modeling, I combine global experience with my knowledge of what the International industry truly requires, to make sure that the models I train are completely prepared for career successes.
- Dinesh Chandrasena March 2021 –
Contact us – 0766006976