Udarika Dalugama - MODART International

ALUMNI INTERVIEW: UDARIKA DALUGAMA

Founder & Owner - Theeq

Being an entrepreneur is a dream of many fashion design aspirants. Today we are proud to feature our alumnus who took the entrepreneurial challenge and transformed her business dream into reality.

Udarika Dalugama graduated with a Bachelor in Fashion Design from Mod’Art International Paris completing her degree at the Sri Lanka branch campus. She then had an opportunity to join Brandix Lingerie solutions to thorough her skills. A young fashion enthusiast with an entrepreneurial spirit, Udarika is currently working on her 2 brands. Some excerpts from the interview with Udarika follow:

Tell us a bit about your career background?

From my childhood days, I was always interested in Art & Fashion. Knowing that, I wanted to study something related to what I was interested in, I joined Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology to study what I have been dreaming as a child. With lot of hard work and commitment I successfully completed the Advance Diploma in Fashion Design. To sharpen my skills, I Joined Mod’Art International for my Bachelor in Fashion Design where I got to experience so much in Art & Fashion. Then I joined Brandix Lingerie solutions to thorough my skills about manufacturing and garment technologies and today I’m working as the designer/ creative director at ‘Theeq Designer Wear’ is one of my bridal and evening wear label, also I work as an Artist/ creative consultant for personal projects/ co-operate projects and I was able to show case my very first artistic/creative project based on fashion at Colombo Fashion Week emerging designer showcase.

What made you want to start your own business?

It was my passion to work on my own and the excitement which I had to do what I love made me to start my own business with lot of courage & commitment.

How would you define your brand?

These two labels have different aesthetics:

‘Theeq’ Designer wear: for the ones who always wanted to dress in designer wear but was never affordable. Here you go! Theeq is for you.

Udarika Dalugama: Under my name I work on the art projects and I would describe them mostly as ‘deep, surrealistic & free-spirited’ concepts.

What interested you to choose MOD’ART for your undergraduate studies?

Mod’Art is one of the most recognized and a university which is located in many different countries. Especially in Paris which is the fashion capital and the students get to go on a study tour which is a lifetime experience a fashion student can get.

What has been the highlight during your campus life?

I would always describe my campus life as the best time in my life where I met some great lecturers who taught me the best skills to go forward and a very supportive group of friends to achieve goals together.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Doing your own business sounds like a whole lot of work. But not really! Because I get to do what I love & I enjoy every single thing doesn’t matter right or wrong I still learn on my own and I do have a friendly client tale & a team which makes me feel more happier to involve in more creative work.

What have been the biggest challenges?

At a point working alone is hard, so it was a big challenge to find that perfect team to work with!

What advice do you have for students who would like to take up Bachelors in Fashion Design at MOD’ART?

Mod’Art is where I found my style & aesthetic and also where I sharpened the skills. So If I say it’s going to be an easy journey. Then I’m wrong. It’s lot of hard work and lot of creative thinking with many challenges as well but at the end it’s going to be worthy in this competitive industry.