The global fashion industry is known to be responsible for 20% of the world’s industrial water pollution, an alarming statistic that inspired a young Sri Lankan female entrepreneur – Kanchana Fernando – to take bold action several years ago. Her innovative solution of upcycling old clothes with unique Batik designs, breathing new life into discarded textiles and turning waste into wearable art, grew into a business model committed to the principles of a circular economy and helped create her brand Certitude by K. The brand combines artistry with sustainability, offering customers an opportunity to make eco-conscious choices without sacrificing style.
As a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, Kanchana’s journey has been deeply shaped by resilience, resourcefulness, and purpose. Growing up in a country rich in craft but limited in opportunities taught her to see potential where others see limitations – a quality she sees as her strength and uniqueness. Driven by a passion for sustainability and community empowerment, she built a brand that uplifts underprivileged and underrepresented voices, especially women artisans in Sri Lanka. Showcasing at New York Fashion Week was a defining moment in her life and a dream come true that proved a small brand with a strong mission can make a global impact. For her, it was a full-circle moment shaped by positivity, passion, and the law of attraction.
Kanchana’s main inspiration has always been her mother Mala Kaluarachchi, the driving force behind the creation of Sanathana Batik in 1985. Growing up in a household with a batik factory, she was surrounded by creativity. Her mother, a multi-talented artist who designed and stitched clothes, ensured the young Kanchana was the best dressed at every occasion, even with limited means. In due course, Kanchana earned a Bachelor of Science in Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science from the University of Jayewardenepura. Though she had no formal qualification in fashion, participating in a fashion design reality show paved the way for a student exchange program opportunity in Pakistan, where she attended a wedding clothing designer’s workshop for one year. Later, back in her homeland, she worked with one of Sri Lanka’s leading apparel manufacturers, where she learned about sustainability and the environmental cost of fashion. This inspired her to support underprivileged women by creating employment opportunities through her brand.
Her identity and heritage have always been at the heart of everything she does at Certitude by K. Growing up in Sri Lanka, surrounded by traditional crafts and batik, she saw firsthand how this rich cultural art was undervalued globally. She set out to modernise and elevate the heritage – not to become just another batik designer, but to reposition the craft. That vision led to the creation of Certitude by K, with “K” standing for Kanchana, where every creative and business decision is driven by purpose, responsibility, and a commitment to community and tradition. With the unwavering support and strength of her parents, sister and brother, Certitude by K has grown steadily over the past few years.
Looking at the bigger picture, Kanchana stated that beyond fashion she hopes the legacy that she leaves behind is one that empowers women to believe in themselves and live consciously no matter where they come from. As a women entrepreneur, her goal is to show that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of people or the planet. She believes in creating opportunities for underprivileged women in Sri Lanka to be seen, heard and valued through their craft. Certitude by K has today become more than a brand and is well on its way to become a movement.
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