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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Genre: Fashion History, Sri Lankan History, Art, Cultural Studies

Book Review:
Dr. Gayathri Madubhani Ranathunga's ''Fashions of Royalty: The Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka'' is a groundbreaking and visually rich exploration of a fascinating but often overlooked aspect of Sri Lanka's cultural heritage. As the first PhD in Fashion Design ever awarded in Sri Lanka, this book is a landmark achievement, bringing rigorous academic scholarship to the study of historical dress and adornment.

The book delves into the royal fashions of the Kandyan Kingdom, a period of Sri Lankan history renowned for its artistic and cultural sophistication. Dr. Ranathunga, a senior lecturer in Fashion Design at the University of Moratuwa, draws on her extensive research to reconstruct the styles, fabrics, jewelry, and aesthetic sensibilities of the Kandyan court. She examines the various factors that influenced fashion, from royal patronage and religious beliefs to trade and social hierarchies.

More than just a catalog of clothing, ''Fashions of Royalty'' offers a window into the broader cultural and political world of the Kandyan Kingdom. The author explores how fashion was used to signify power, status, and identity, and how it reflected the kingdom's connections with other cultures. The book is likely illustrated (though not visible in the text) with images of period art, artifacts, and perhaps even reconstructions, bringing the opulent world of Kandyan royalty to life.

This book is an invaluable resource for students of fashion design, art history, and Sri Lankan studies. It is also a treat for anyone interested in the island's rich cultural traditions. Dr. Ranathunga's passion for her subject, evident from her childhood love of art, shines through in this meticulous and engaging work. It is a proud addition to the literature on Sri Lankan heritage.