Barbara Sansoni (1928-2022) *94

was a Sri Lankan veteran designer, artist, colourist, entrepreneur and writer. She was known for her works in architecture, textile designs and handwoven panels. She founded the Barefoot textile company, a company which is highly acclaimed for its handloom fabric. She also served as the chairperson and chief designer of Barefoot Pvt. Ltd for several years.

Sansoni was said to have "redefined the concept of colour in Sri Lanka". She empowered women weavers and transformed the national cottage industry. She married Ceylonese judge Miliani Sansoni, the 32nd Chief Justice of Ceylon, in 1952. The couple gave birth to two sons; Dominic and Simon.

Her first spouse Miliani died in 1979 and two years later, she engaged in her second marriage in 1981 to her longtime friend Ronald Lewcock. Ronald befriended Barbara when Ronald first met her during his sabbatical from 1968 to 1969 to explore the European Colonial Architecture in Asia. Ronald had contacted Barbara for his research work and exploration regarding the European Colonial Architecture in Asia after getting to know about Barbara's drawings being featured in the Architectural Review. Barbara and Robert both together in collaboration bought a house in Cambridge in 1972 for Robert himself and for Barbara's two sons to stay as both sons who were in their early seventeens had been sent to England for their educational purposes. Robert was asked to be the guardian for Barbara's sons until they had completed their education in England.