Nadeesha Godamune graduated with a Bachelor of Design from AUT University, majoring in Fashion in 2008. Born in Sri Lanka, she moved to Auckland with her family as a young child. She discovered her passion for art and design at a young age and this led to her study in fashion and textiles.

Completing her fashion degree in 2008, her final year collection ‘Trompe L’oeil’ is inspired by Cubism, experimenting with perspective to fool the eye. By using shift dresses that act as canvases, Nadeesha has created the illusion of many garments which effortlessly overlap each other. These are, in fact, prints which Nadeesha has hand illustrated.

“The prints themselves were initially painted on A2 card, then scanned, edited and engineered into the pattern pieces in Photoshop. They were then digitally printed at the Textile and Design Laboratory (T+DL) at AUT University. In the effect, I have made a 2D surface appear 3D."

The silhouettes had to be simple in order to act as canvases, however are striking due to the heavily padded shoulders which complement the prints. To further enhance this concept of illusion, 'actual' garments - waistcoat, pants and a jacket, are incorporated into the collection. These garments are not printed and are merely there to fool the eye.

In March 2009 Nadeesha won the coveted Mittelmoda prize at the ID Dunedin Emerging Awards (www.id-dunedinfashion.com) which allows her automatic entry into one of the most prestigious fashion awards in the world. Only thirty-two finalists from around the world are selected to showcase their collections at the awards, which are held in Gorizia, Italy. 

In September 2009 'Trompe L'oeil' won its category at the Style Pasifika Fashion Awards, for 'best three piece collection'. From the finalists selected from each category, she also took home the Grand Supreme Award for 'best collection'.

Nadeesha completed her Honours year specialising in fashion illustration in 2009 and is pursuing her career as a fashion illustrator and graphic artist.

For more information about the T+DL facilities visit http://www.tdl.aut.ac.nz