Corset Revival by Shriwanthi R. Amarasinghe

 My name is Śhrīwanthi R. Amarasinghe, though most people know me simply as Śhrī. I am Sri Lankan by birth and currently based in Paris, where I founded Shabél Paris™, a Paris-based design house dedicated to developing textiles, objects, and crafted environments through artisanal manufacturing and small-scale production.

My academic training is in computer engineering, and I am also a certified yoga teacher—disciplines that have shaped both my analytical rigour and my sensitivity to form, energy, and intention. I am a self-taught designer and writer, guided by a deep respect for craftsmanship, culture, and continuity.

Beyond design, I work as a researcher and educator, focusing on regenerative materials and ancestral design knowledge. I am deeply interested in how traditional craft methodologies can inform contemporary, responsible production models, not as nostalgia, but as viable systems for the future. At the heart of my practice is a commitment to working alongside rural artisan communities across Sri Lanka: brass makers, master wood carvers, handloom weavers, bobbin lace artisans, and craftspeople specialising in rattan and other natural-fibre homeware and interior objects.

My intention is not only to create beautiful objects, but to contribute to dignified livelihoods. By fostering long-term collaborations, fair partnerships, and value-led production, I aim to support the continuity of endangered skills while helping communities thrive through meaningful, respected work.

My work sits at the intersection of technology, spirituality, and heritage—bridging Parisian design culture with Sri Lankan craftsmanship to create objects that are materially conscious, culturally resonant, and rooted in human connection.

Describe your corset in one sentence: Soft Armour by ŚHRī is my hand-revived corset for the competition, transforming a historical symbol of restriction into a divine feminine armour through artisanal Sri Lankan bobbin lace, pre-loved silks, and meditative floral handwork, honouring heritage and sustainability.

The story behind the corset: “Being part of the revival of 150 corsets is both an honour and a responsibility. As a designer deeply rooted in ethical, fair-trade fashion and sustainability, this project carries emotional and cultural weight for me. Historically, the corset symbolised restriction and suppression of the female body. With Soft Armour, I wanted to shift that narrative. The floral handwork becomes a symbol of feminine resilience, softness not as fragility, but as strength. The structure remains, but its intention transforms. The corset becomes armour, not imposed, but chosen.

Working closely with Sri Lankan artisans has shaped how I view garments. I understand the time, discipline, and devotion required to construct a single piece. Because of that, I did not feel comfortable dismantling the corset entirely. Instead, I chose to preserve its original silhouette and reimagine it, respecting its structure while transforming its meaning. Every intervention on this corset was executed entirely by hand. Each flower was individually crafted and appliquéd by me, stitch by stitch. This piece became a meditation for me personally, honouring the past while reshaping its meaning for the present.

The only element not constructed by my hand is the delicate bobbin lace edging, (a two-week labour of love), handwoven beeralu lace created by a skilled artisan from Galle, Sri Lanka. Integrating this lace was intentional: it bridges European corsetry with Sri Lankan textile heritage.

All materials used are either pre-loved or deadstock. The black silk satin originates from a discarded studio curtain I’ve been keeping from 2016, and leftover offcuts from my Colombo Fashion Week collection last year. The project became not only a revival of a garment but a reclamation of waste, transforming remnants into something deliberate and enduring. The cap was quilted by hand, and the cuffs are finished with intricate bobbin lace detailing, reinforcing the dialogue between structure and softness.

At the back of the corset, I attached a pendant with the letter of my name and my brand mark “ŚHRī” in Sinhala. Rooted in ancient Sanskrit, ŚHRĪ embodies abundance, grace, sacred beauty, prosperity, and splendour. Traditionally associated with the divine feminine, most notably the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, symbol of wealth, fertility, and auspiciousness, the word carries a depth that transcends language, encompassing centuries of cultural, spiritual, and artistic meaning. I hope that the wearer of this corset feels and carries these qualities. It was a precious gift from a friend. In choosing to pass it on into this garment, I embedded a part of myself within the piece.

In Sinhala, we have a saying: “තෑග්ගෙන්තෑග්ග උතුම්තෑග්ග”

It translates to: The greatest gift is gifting what was given to you.