An Exquisite Tapestry
Delicately weaving a tapestry of elegance in exquisite designs and motifs is a middle-aged lady in a cottage industry that had its beginning in the 15th century. Lace making was a craft introduced by the Portuguese six centuries ago. Sri Lankan women were able to supplement what their men earned from fishing with these woven filigree designs in thread. In the south of Sri Lanka, this craft rose to legendary proportions in the early 1900s but dwindled to being practiced by only a handful of traditional lace makers.
Delicate Yet Showy
An enterprising lady, M.B. Priyani saw the potential in this delicate yet showy craft. She would go from house to house and collect the lace items from these traditional lace makers and use them as insertions in a range of decorative linen items. Thus was born, Thilini Lace.
Resurrection of an Art and Craft
On 26th December 2004, this entire industry was wiped out by the Tsunami, leaving all these women destitute and dejected. Even though there were only a few old experienced hands after the tsunami, she created opportunities to train over 300 new entrants to the field via a sponsored project and resurrected the craft, elevating it to the status which it enjoys today.
Resplendent Handiwork
Thilini Lace offers you the finest in this traditional art of lace making in a range of resplendent handiwork such as table mats, table covers, lace frills for sleeves and necklines, lace belts, wristbands, shirts, ladies dresses, bed covers, and cushion covers.
Awards & Achievements
The recipient of many awards before the tsunami including the Presidential Award, Best Entrepreneur Award, and Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Priyani also won the Rising from Disaster Entrepreneur Provincial and National Award, and the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Tsunami Business Turnaround Gold Award.
