Rum Punch, an exclusive brand of resort wear founded by AOD graduate Rukshika Fernando Seneviratne and partner Binara Seneviratne, was the first Sri Lankan brand to be retailed on Zalora - Asia’s largest online fashion store.

 "I have to thank AOD, which is where I found my way to become an all-rounder designer. AOD has not only helped me with international opportunities but also the education at AOD is what prepped me for this career in design."

Rum Punch was launched as a catwalk collection in 2014 in Colombo at AOD's Sri Lanka Design Festival and internationally at the London Graduate Fashion Week in the UK. As a designer Rukshika Fernando Seneviratne visualised Rum Punch as an exclusive brand for holidaymakers and the fashion conscious consumer with a unique taste. Rukshika started her education at AOD where she graduated as a first-class student. Afterwards, she led a successful career as a senior designer for the global brand Victoria’s Secret at MAS Holdings before she launched her own brand with partner Binara Seneviratne who provides the business acumen and strategic leadership for Rum Punch, drawing on over a decade of experience in operations and management at MAS Holdings and their lingerie brand amanté.

Speaking about her unique brand that has made great success in Colombo, on UK’s glamorous catwalks and now at Asia’s largest fashion retailer, Rukshi said Rum Punch fuses high-tech swimwear manufacturing with traditional craft methods such as Sri Lankan batik. “As a design professional who started her career in the apparel sector, I’m very proud of what we can deliver in terms of both design and manufacturing technology. So, it is with great pride that we combine high-tech fashion technology from Sri Lanka with our own traditional methods for Rum Punch. I have to thank AOD, which is where I found my way to become an all-rounder designer. AOD has not only helped me with international opportunities but also the education at AOD is what prepped me for this career in design. The fantastic international faculty at AOD have always given me their fullest support and I think it’s a place that can do wonders for young designers like me.”

With its commercial launch in 2015, Rum Punch established its signature of cool prints, batik dye techniques, contrast detailing, bold, fashion-forward designs and versatility in wear. The tagline ‘Discover Your Island Spirit’ embraces everything that is unique about island living that Rum Punch so readily embraces. Today Rum Punch is placed alongside global fashion brands such as Mango, DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Levis, Nike, within the  a carefully chosen and curated portfolio of brands at Zalora fashion retail network.

“We were very impressed by Rum Punch’s perspective on fashion,” said Joanne Teh Ai Ling – Swimwear Buyer at Zalora. “It’s chic, trend right, and adds something new and exciting to our portfolio.”

Rum Punch will also be available locally in July, through fashionmarket.lk, a chic online fashion store with curated looks comprising of designer pieces designed and made in Sri Lanka. The brand is also in the process of exploring other retail avenues with leading local retailers and plans to target resort destinations such as the Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius in the near future.