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LOVI Cotton Polo Shirt and Cotton Printed Shorts.

19th century Sri Lankan murals inspire LOVI Ceylon's new signature print.

LOVI's PLAY collection debuted a new signature print inspired by murals found in ancient Buddhist temples. With the Vesak holiday passed (which commemorates the birth, death, and enlightenment of Buddha) it's only fitting we discuss the history behind this print and LOVI's mission to highlight Sri Lankan culture.

LOVI Printed Shirt and Sarong in Cotton

In temples such as Ahangama's Kathaluwe Purwaramaya, murals depict upper class men wearing the somana––a long lower body garment not too dissimilar to a sarong. Researchers, P. V. M. Karunaratne and Nilmini Bhagya who focused on textile designs in temples, noted that the somana employed a hybrid of colourful geometric and floral motifs.

Take a closer look and you'll see how rich and elegant these textiles were: circles or squares intertwine with creepers and floral insignias, strategically placed in vertical, horizontal, diagonal or curved lines.

Murals in the Kathaluwe Purwaramaya Temple depicting men in brightly coloured somanas with geometric motifs.

During his research, LOVI designer Asanka de Mel was particularly inspired by the timeless symmetry and the universal appeal of murals and somana style.

Indeed, taking a closer look at LOVI's Rio Sarong, delicate flowers coloured in fiery red and electric blue are arranged in an almost psychedelic pattern.

(Left) LOVI ‘Rio’ Sarong. (Right) LOVI ‘Tatiana’ Peplum Shirt.

“We want to refresh it and introduce the style to a new generation and to the wider world,” said De Mel. By positioning this print on casual shorts, peplum shirts, an asymmetric wrap skirts, the print is revived in contemporary clothes for the modern consumer and what's more––it's a chance to learn about our sartorial history.

By calling on the legacy of our ancestors, LOVI has created clothes that are stylish and rich in meaning. Sri Lanka is moving into a fashionable future. Are you with us?