Sri Lankan, East London resident Shynootha Shyamsunthar debuts her Hindu-inspired design. Summer Nesbeth reports.
Shynoothat, or simply Shy, was born in Liverpool and now lives in East London.
Excelling in both academia and the arts, Shy originally applied to study biotechnology – her mother is a GP. But at the last minute she decided to take a risk and apply to Central Saint Martins. She’s now in her first year of a Fashion Design with Print degree.
Central Saint Martins is notoriously difficult to get into. Thousands apply for just 50 places each year. CSM alumni include fashion royalty such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and John Galliano.
Shy was thrilled just to get admission and now is finding her feet: “I was in shock initially but the longer I’m here the more I know I belong here, although it is something I tend to struggle with almost like an Imposter Syndrome.”
Shy is ready and excited ahead of her first White Show. This show and compulsory student asignment is an annual CSM event where aspiring designers create a piece for all to see. With magazines such as i-D and Vogue covering the show, young designers must prove themselves with their piece.
Shy’s White Show piece is inspired by her Sri Lankan heritage and her love for science.
Her piece uses the motif of circles, common to the iconography of Hinduism – and of course full of mathematical and scientific resonance. It also plays on the traditional ‘lengha’, a long pleated skirt design common in Sri Lanka and across southern Asia.
“The traditional Sari/Lengha design is probably is my favourite thing about the outfit because it really shows the South Asian influence”, Shy told me.
Shy says she is getting to grips with her Sri Lankan heritage: “It’s a new thing for me… I like exploring that idea [of Sri Lankan and Hindu culture]. I’m quite happy that I’m exploring that idea.”
Shy, perhaps unlike other students, seems relatively relaxed ahead of her White Show debut. This may be because she can draw such rich inspiration from her culture and interests.
“It is influenced by [my] Sri Lankan heritage and Hinduism but I also looked to the borderlines of science… I’m happy that it’s quite ambiguous”, she says.
Shy may be a pathbreaker. Her dream is for more south Asian designers to become fashion leaders by pursuing careers in the arts.
Her advice for young designers wanting to apply to the prestigious school is to “Go for it!’
See Shy’s design on 8 December at 5pm on Central Saint Martins’ live stream of the event.
Click here for more information.
See my interview with Shy here:
Edited by Clarisse Cornish.
