KARMA COLLECTION FOUNDERS SEEMA MOCERI AND TIVON PRASAD REVEAL THEIR FASHION PLANS
WORDS: Tina Edward Gunawardhana
Riding high on a wave of success after their recent showing at CFW Olu Swim Week, the founders of Karma Collection Seema Moceri and Tivon Prasad are firing on all cylinders as they take the next steps in their fashion journey. With a bricks and mortar store in the Galle Fort Karma Collection also retails in Unawatuna and WH Colombo. Playing on their strengths which is creating bright colourful prints with a tropical vibe in flattering silhouettes, Karma Collection looks set to be every fashionista’s next best friend.
How did you begin your journey in fashion:
Tivon has been in the fashion industry since he was 13, and has been involved with developing some of the most successful retail fashion and lifestyle brands in Galle. It was always his passion and ambition to have his own brand and store, and this materialised in 2017. My journey was a little different. I have been an accomplished Interior Designer in London for the past 15 years, and split my time between London and Sri Lanka. I have always had a keen passion for fashion and when t
he opportunity arose to take my creativity into another direction, I rose to the challenge, and transitioned into fashion and design with ease. The concepts are the same, just a different medium.
How did you two meet and what made you decide to collaborate?
I had known Tivon for a couple of years as I had my restaurant, Crepe-ology, in the Fort and he was managing one of the high-end fashion stores. I was constantly in the store eyeing up my next purchase and when we spoke about his long-term goals and aspirations to be a successful fashion designer and have his own stores, I suggested a collaboration. It wasn’t a difficult choice for me with our friendship, my interior design background and my business head, Karma Collection was created. I always refer to Tivon as my ‘second’ husband!
How would you describe your brand aesthetics?
From the inception of Karma, we both were in total agreement that everything we create should be bold and vibrant allowing the wearer to feel incredibly confident and self assured, regardless of age. When you walk into one of our stores, you instantly know that you have arrived!
The stores are so inviting, that you really don’t know where to start from, and you truly can be in there for hours, wanting to feel and pick up each and everything. We have had many customers comparing themselves to ‘a child in a sweetie shop’ which is a real compliment to us!.
We also wanted to create a lifestyle brand. From bedding, to cushion covers to artwork, to clothing. All our pieces, regardless of whether you place them or wear them, carry the same infectious feeling of vivaciousness.
Have you created an archetype of the Karma Collection woman?
I would say we have in terms of how the `Karma Collection’ woman feels in one of our designs. Very often when someone wears one of our pieces, it’s apparent to others that they are wearing Karma Collection. However, in terms of age or size, we wanted to ensure that we do NOT have a stereotypical style that only appeals to a certain clientele, but instead be inclusive.
