Abstract In the South Asian Region, the Sri Lankan apparel industry is transitioning from apparel assembly to providing higher value-added product and services. Fashion designers are key actors in this transition. The purpose of this article is to examine the evolving role of the fashion designer in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. The study adopts a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews conducted with twenty-eight fashion and product development professionals in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Based on an inductive thematic analysis, the study finds that the Sri Lankan designers take a multidisciplinary approach to their design practice, integrating the key functions of fashion design, product development and manufacturing capabilities, in alignment with the functional and strategic ambitions of the apparel companies. Their approach to design through technical skills extends the conceptual approach of brand designers in fashion design practice. However, the fashion knowledge of Sri Lankan designers varies significantly depending on their familiarity with Western brands and retailers as well as Western consumer culture and lifestyle.

中文翻译：

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时装设计师在服装价值链中不断演变的角色：斯里兰卡设计师的观点

摘要 在南亚地区，斯里兰卡服装业正在从服装组装向提供更高附加值的产品和服务转变。时装设计师是这一转变的关键角色。本文的目的是考察时装设计师在斯里兰卡服装行业中不断演变的角色。该研究通过对斯里兰卡服装行业的 28 名时尚和产品开发专业人士进行的半结构化访谈，采用定性方法。基于归纳主题分析，该研究发现斯里兰卡设计师在设计实践中采用多学科方法，整合时装设计、产品开发和制造能力的关键功能，与服装公司的功能和战略目标保持一致。 . 他们通过技术技能进行设计的方法扩展了品牌设计师在时装设计实践中的概念方法。然而，斯里兰卡设计师的时尚知识因他们对西方品牌和零售商的熟悉程度以及西方消费文化和生活方式而有很大差异。