{
  "id": 11801887,
  "title": "In love with linen: Minha Akram’s creative journey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/in-love-with-linen-minha-akrams-creative-journey",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T23:50:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/in-love-with-linen-minha-akrams-creative-journey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minha Akram, the founder of 'Tropic of Linen,' has made the timeless natural fabric of linen a modern lifestyle statement. Her brand brings effortless, tropical elegance to contemporary fashion with outlets at Ward Place and Shoppers at Cinnamon Life. In an interview, Minha discusses her designs and the journey of taking 'Tropic of Linen' into a new chapter.\n\nMinha Akram explains why linen has become important in today's fashion and lifestyle market. She believes that people are now focusing more on qualities such as naturalness, breathability, durability, and a particular beauty of linen. People also want comfortable yet stylish and individual clothes that they can live in. Linen fits this requirement well, as people can wear it in various settings and it can be styled in different ways.\n\nThe entrepreneur talks about how linen became the inspiration for her brand. Having studied Fine Art and Design at the University of Cape Town, Minha Akram had a strong creative foundation. When she started discussing business with her partner Shukran, they realized that his understanding of apparel and linen complemented her creative perspective. Linen was a natural fit between their skills and expertise. They wanted to create something specifically relevant to Sri Lanka, rather than bringing international fashion concepts into the local market.\n\nLinen's suitability for Sri Lanka's tropical climate is discussed. Minha Akram explains that linen is light, breathable, and doesn't cling to the body like some other fabrics do. It also has a relaxed quality that works well with the Sri Lankan way of life. People can wear linen for various occasions, from day-to-day activities to formal events, as it can be styled in different ways. The fabric is particularly suitable for the country's hot weather, and its texture, natural movement, and imperfections add to its appeal.\n\nThe perception of linen has changed from being seen as a simple summer fabric to becoming a fashionable, premium material. Minha Akram says that people are now more sophisticated in their approach to fabrics and appreciate linen's texture, natural movement, and the way it changes with wear. The fabric's imperfections are also recognized as part of what makes it beautiful, and people understand that the fabric doesn't need to look perfect to look elegant. As a designer, linen can be incredibly versatile, and the quality of cut, construction, and finishing can completely change the look and feel of the fabric.\n\nThe article concludes with Minha Akram discussing the change in people's attitudes towards clothing and linen. She believes that people are becoming more aware of what they buy, how often they buy it, and whether it will remain a part of their lives. Linen fits this shift well, as a good linen garment can be worn for years and look different as it becomes part of a wardrobe. Linen also has an ease to it, resonating with people who want to look considered without looking overly dressed.",
  "summary": "By Zanita Careem Linen has evolved from a timeless natural fabric into a modern lifestyle statement, and Minha Akram founder of ‘Tropic of Linen,’ has made linen her signature brand. With her first store at Ward Place and its newest outlet at the Shoppers at Cinnamon Life, the brand continues to bring effortless, tropical elegance […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Minha Akram founded Tropic of Linen, blending linen with modern fashion.",
    "Linen's natural qualities like breathability and durability appeal to Sri Lanka's climate.",
    "Linen's imperfections and versatility make it a fashionable, premium material."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}