Entrepreneur In The Spotlight: Get To Know The Talented Kosh Veneficae Himal

Kosh Veneficae Himal started his fashion journey with his mother when he was just 13 years old, she used to be a bridal designer/fashion stylist/ hair and makeup artist, and they used to work together a lot with her clients. Years later he started volunteering for the Colombo Fashion Week helping models to change and get them ready for the show, and that’s when Adam Flamer-Caldera scouted him and introduced him to his sister Anjuli Flamer Caldera. Eventually, he was hired as a model scout/model agent at a leading model agency in Sri Lanka. Fast forward to today and he’s now the talent manager of the agency in Sri Lanka and a proud owner of three successful brands – KOSHE , KALON, and KH2.

We recently caught up with Kosh Veneficae Himal to talk about his journey in the fashion industry and here’s what went down:

Tell us your full name and something about yourself.

I started my Fashion journey with my mother when I was 13 years old, she used to be a bridal designer/fashion stylist/ hair and makeup artist, and we used to work together a lot with her clients. Since my childhood, I was very excited and curious about this industry and mostly I was very fond of fabrics and colors. After my high school education, I managed to do my higher studies at Plymouth University and I was majoring in events, tourism, and hospitality BSc. Meanwhile, during my vacation time, I started to follow my heart and launched my red carpet couture clothing line under the brand name of KOSHE. Most of the celebrities pageant queens and models loved my work and started to buy my designs (that’s how I became a celebrity designer), My very first celebrity actress was Nipunika Hewagamage and she’s one of the reasons why I am here today.

Back in 2015, I was awarded as the best designer of the year and then got the opportunity to showcase my designs at the Asian European Fashion Week in Paris – I was the youngest fashion designer in Sri Lanka who got the opportunity to showcase in an international platform and then I signed a contract with them as a spokesperson. Ever since then I find new talents from around the world so I can give them the opportunity to shine.

How did you get into the fashion industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?

I used to volunteer for the Colombo Fashion Week backstage – I was helping models to change and get them ready for the show. The atmosphere in that place was wonderful and I was in love with that story. During one of those days, Adam Flamer-Caldera scouted me and introduced me to his sister Anjuli Flamer Caldera who is one of my good friends and she hired me as a model scout/model agent at the leading model agency in Sri Lanka (The Agency Sri Lanka). Working with them was amazing and from that day on I started a new page in my fashion diary. Now I am the Talent manager of The Agency Sri Lanka and a proud owner of three successful brands – KOSHE , KALON and KH2.

My best friend Manasha and I started to style for many clients under the brand name of two broke stylists. I have to say we have styled for several big campaigns and big celebrities such as Brett Lee, Nick Saglimbeni ( A photographer from the Keeping up with the Kardashians) as well as many music videos for leading artists in Sri Lanka as well,
So my fashion journey is still going on.

What do you like most about being a designer?

The most amazing thing about being a designer /stylist is that I get to create new looks, new trends, and new dreams. That’s one of the most awesome things about being a part of this industry. I also get to work with different people all the time, one of my favorite parts of being a designer/stylist is that I get to meet new friends, clients, working partners.

The downside to being a fashion designer?

The stress and workload! Managing an international talent management firm, styling, lecturing and designing is very hard to manage at the same time, so the level of stress is super high.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

Well, this is a good question, From the day I step into this industry, the entire journey has been a magical and memorable one. I can’t pick one specific experience though!

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Adam Flamer Caldera – Male supermodel in Sri Lanka and the USA, my best friends – Manasha ( Stylist and a Fashion designer ) and Riaan George ( Luxury blogger and Social media influencer).

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry.

Follow your dream and focus on your success, Earn people more than money. Do not let others get credit for your fame and your achievements.

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

They are very supportive and my mother and father are the reason for all my success.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

Well, I took a big step as the manager of The Agency Sri Lanka, I believe that is a big progression in my career and I started new project called TAS WORKSHOP 101 with our very own Male Top Model Tymo – my new business partner along with The Agency Sri Lanka – a training program for models and anyone interested in this industry, this platform is a proper finishing course.

Currently, I’, working on my own YouTube Talk show, we are still planning and working on the concept of the show, I want it to be different and a special show that helps the community and the film, Fashion, Drama and music industry of Sri Lanka. I also have a plan to move to India to explore more opportunities.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: 6 UNDERGROUND
2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Beauty means everything around us, but only the unique eye can catch the real beauty.
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Have my own studio / Style house ( Retail, Styling, Photography, Runway rehearsing ) a complete fashion style house / Studio
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” be more open about my opinion regarding some of these local Instagram influencers and models.
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? I actually love everything about myself, so I don’t know how to answer that question, (laughs) but I would like to say it’s my skin color.