Tropic of Linen opened its second store in Colombo on 25 August, taking up a space on the eighth floor of The Shoppes at City of Dreams, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The brand’s commitment to providing high-quality clothing for Sri Lankans continues with its newest store, which combines traditional influences with modern silhouettes, while being designed to accommodate Sri Lankan sizes and needs.
Despite the challenges that come with working with linen, founders Minha Akram and Shukran Salil are determined to move away from the traditionally loose silhouettes associated with the fabric and introduce more distinctive and contemporary designs. Tropic of Linen does not shy away from the challenge, with co-founder Minha Akram explaining that she aims to ‘push the boundaries’ of what can be achieved with linen, despite the fact that ‘development takes forever’.
The decision to expand to City of Dreams was largely influenced by the exclusivity of the setting. While Minha Akram noted that Tropic of Linen does not consider itself a ‘typical mall brand’, she believes the location provides an ideal opportunity for international visitors to discover the brand and potentially introduce it to a wider global audience.
The brand’s efforts to challenge convention extend beyond its clothing and into the design of the store itself. The space incorporates natural light and textures, creating an environment that reflects the natural and distinctive character of linen. This sets Tropic of Linen apart from the more commercialised fashion retailers within The Shoppes.
‘Over the years, visitors told us our boutique had become a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka,’ added Minha. ‘We loved that our brand travelled organically by word of mouth. Expanding to City of Dreams was the natural next step-placing us on a global stage to showcase the calibre of Sri Lankan craft and contemporary design to a wider audience.’
Through both its clothing and retail space, Tropic of Linen continues to establish an identity that blends Sri Lankan needs and traditions with contemporary design, while challenging the conventional perceptions surrounding linen fashion.
Founded in 2014, Tropic Of Linen was a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s dedicated linen landscape. The brand marries Akram’s training in fine art and design with Salih’s two decades of expertise in high-end apparel manufacturing for global fashion houses.
Tropic Of Linen’s pieces are intentionally crafted to outlast short-term fashion cycles. Celebrated for its breathability in tropical climates, the high-quality linen fibre naturally softens and gains character with age.
Beyond its two signature Colombo boutiques, Tropic Of linen maintains a curated presence in the historic Galle Fort, partners with select international retailers, and ships worldwide via its website tropicoflinen.com.