Press
Selected interviews, features and media coverage.
INTERVIEW
Buzz with Danu — Daily Mirror Sri Lanka
17 December 2025
Panduka Ekanayake is a creative thinker, a marketing mind, and someone who knows how to turn vision into visibility. From fashion to faces that travel the world — creativity, confidence, and why Sri Lankan talent deserves a bigger spotlight.
On balancing creativity and strategy
“The creative eye came first. I grew up with photography, drawing, and visual work, so I read brands through emotion and image before anything else. The strategy follows the feeling. I start with what the brand should make people feel, then I build the data, the structure, and the positioning around that.”
On working with global brands
“Working with brands like Vivienne Westwood, Ferragamo, and Sézane in Europe, then coming back to work with Sri Lankan designers like Indi Yapa Abeywardena, O:LIVE couture, LCY and Spa Ceylon — you see the gap is not quality. It is sequencing. The craft here is exceptional. What is often missing is the strategic framing that makes international markets pay attention. Sri Lanka does not lack talent. It lacks visibility.”
On repositioning LCY London
“When I took creative control, the product was strong, but the perception did not match. I rebuilt the visual language, tightened how we present collections, and elevated the entire communication. We have moved to a price point three to four times where we sat in 2019, and we are holding those sales. That shift does not happen through marketing alone. It happens when product, positioning, and presentation all align.”
On Elina Gunawardena walking Paris Fashion Week
“Ford Models Paris saw it, reached out to Panthera, and things moved quickly. She signed with them and within weeks was walking Paris Fashion Week — Chanel, Hermès, Isabel Marant, Dries Van Noten, Rabanne. She opened Isabel Marant. That is nine shows in one season. She is carrying Sri Lanka onto stages that most models never reach.”
On spotting star quality
“Authenticity that does not need to announce itself. With people, I look for presence without performance. With brands, it is similar. I look for the truth at the centre. Something real that the business actually believes, not just a marketing line.”
On what is next
“The next chapter is regional. India and the UAE are both markets where I see real opportunity. There is a gap in these markets between brands with serious budgets and people who can bridge creative and commercial thinking at an international level. That is where I want to operate. For Panthera, the goal is clear: to become the bridge between South Asian talent and global opportunities.”
FEATURE
A Fusion of Art and Brilliance — The Morning
28 November 2023 • by Venessa Anthony
LCY London opens latest outlet at Havelock City Mall. From humble beginnings three decades ago, LCY has emerged as a beacon of fashion, drawing inspiration from the world of Polo to craft a narrative that intertwines passion, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.
On LCY’s journey
“LCY’s journey has been a tapestry woven with threads of passion and a commitment to celebrating individuality. We started with a vision rooted in the spirit of Polo, and today, our brand stands as a testament to authenticity, liberty, and versatility.”
On crafting excellence for 30 years
“Our collections are not just garments; they are a fusion of art and expertise honed over 30 years. We are devoted to perfecting our creations, constantly pushing boundaries to elevate the lifestyle associated with Polo style.”
On luxury and innovation
“Our luxury Polo shirts epitomise finesse, crafted with the finest materials and meticulous attention to detail. We are more than a luxury brand; we are storytellers, weaving narratives of style and longevity into every shirt we produce.”
On charting the future
“Our journey does not end with the launch of a new store; it is a stepping stone toward a future where LCY becomes synonymous with global elegance. We are charting a course to expand our footprint, bringing the LCY experience to fashion enthusiasts around the world.”
VIDEO
Video Interviews
Danu on Fire — Panduka Ekanayake
An in-depth conversation on creative direction, brand strategy, and building luxury brands from Sri Lanka to London.
Date with Danu — Panduka Ekanayake, Himesh De Ruberu, Sammani Pathiranagama & Ridma Weerawardena
A roundtable conversation on creativity, Sri Lankan talent, and the future of the country’s creative industries.
