OUR STORY

In 2018, Mendes Ceylon was established with a mission to empower local artisans by creating stylish and trendy silhouettes for our consumers. Our designs are timeless, with a strong focus on preserving heritage elements. At the core of our brand is Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, which inspires our unique textile stories that incorporate artisan textiles with high-tech jacquard and other innovative materials. This unique combination of traditional and modern techniques allows our consumers to make a subtle statement wherever they go. Today, Mendes Ceylon is dedicated to building a conscious wardrobe that adds value to our consumers’ lives. Since 2020, we have taken a sustainable and ethical approach to our garments, bringing together the community of ‘The New Ceylonese Girl’. We offer a wide range of garments that are in line with current trends, yet produced ethically using vegan and animal-free textiles.

MEET THE DESIGNER

Sajee Mendes Seneviratne is a textile and fashion designer who graduated from AOD  (Sri Lanka’s leading Design School affiliated with Northumbria University UK) in 2014. Her passion for working with local artisans inspired the birth of Mendes Ceylon. After graduating, Sajee focused on textile design and worked for over five years as a designer for a leading fashion business in Sri Lanka, Fashionmarket.lk.

Mendes Ceylon was not just founded on Sajee’s love for textiles, but also on her personal values. Her unique and sophisticated sense of style, along with her commitment to vegetarianism, being an independent, self-made personality, are some of the influences that are reflected in the brand’s values and aesthetics.

Brand Values

  • Conscious Wardrobe

    We believe that it is possible to make fashion that is long lasting, timeless and versatile, with our conscious customer in mind. 

    #ConsciousWardrobe

  • Vegan Textiles

    We are passionate about using natural and eco-friendly material wherever possible, and we partner with suppliers and manufacturers who share our values.

    #AnimalFree

  • Effortless Luxury

    We believe that fashion should be accessible to everyone, so we strive to offer our customers high-quality, stylish pieces at prices that are reasonable.

    #EffortlessLuxury

  • Designed & Made in Sri Lanka

    We are committed to giving back to Sri Lanka’s artisan community and carrying forward Sri Lanka’s craft legacy, and include batik and handwoven elements in our designs.

    #DesignedAndMade
    InSriLanka
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DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

At Mendes Ceylon, we believe that fashion can be a force for good. We are committed to creating high-quality, stylish pieces that are produced ethically and sustainably. We believe that it is possible to make fashion that is long lasting, timeless and versatile, with our conscious customer in mind. #ConsciousWardrobe

We believe that fashion should be accessible to everyone, so we strive to offer our customers high-quality, stylish pieces at prices that are reasonable. We are committed to constantly innovating and improving, and we see ourselves as a driving force in the affordable luxury category. #EffortlessLuxury

ARTISAN MADE

Mendes Ceylon is passionate about using natural and eco-friendly material wherever possible, and we partner with suppliers and manufacturers who share our values. We are also committed to giving back to Sri Lanka’s artisan community and carrying forward Sri Lanka’s craft legacy, and include batik and handwoven elements in our designs. #DesignedAndMadeInSriLanka

#MeetOurMuse

Celebrating our Ceylonese girl. She exudes minimalism, simplicity and resilience in ever-changing and turbulent, tumultuous times.

Nethmi Muramudalige, a Designer & Make Up Artist by profession, is our Muse! She shares our brand values in more ways that one.

Her personal style is minimal chic, which is complemented perfectly by her minimal glam make up looks. She is also known for her effortless minimal glam aesthetic In her career as a Make Up Artist. From the start of her career, she has been mindful of the makeup brands she purchases and does not use brands which perform testing on animals. She also advocates conscious purchasing and making sustainable purchase choices. She is a strong believer of a capsule wardrobe and conscious dressing, which is evident from her minimalistic lifestyle. Her passion towards leading a more sustainable life inspires us to in turn inspire ourselves and our customers towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Working with like minded aspirational individuals that share our values helps us keep our story alive, while giving something good back to our community.

Follow Nethmi on Instagram @nmstylefolder

COLLABORATIONS

Mendes Ceylon is excited to partner with Ethical X Global and be a member of the cohort, which will enable us to achieve our goals towards a more sustainable journey. 

Ethical X, an initiative by Slycan Trust, supports climate-friendly entrepreneurship through counseling for ethical businesses. 

We look forward to collaborating with the Ethical X team and incorporating their technical know-how, to further our sustainability initiatives.