I went to Fiji Fashion Week for the first time.And learnt alot.

Having never been to a fashion show before last Saturday, so it was a whole new experience for me when I attended a runway show at Fiji Fashion Week 2023 that night.

After the show, I talked to some of the designers whose collections caught my attention.

Hupfeld Hoerder appeared at Fiji Fashion Week from the very beginning, back in 2008.

His collection presented distinct orange and brown printed fabrics in clothing for women and men.

The collection was made specifically to have a “low environmental impact”, a venture Hoerder undertook for his doctoral degree.

“Sustainable Fiji – that’s the underlying theme.”

“A collection with a low impact on the environment basically means using natural fibre and organic fibre,” he said.

“A lot of stuff was recycled in my collection.”

Jyoti Shandil of JS Designs
A first-timer at the event, Jyoti Shandil debuted a collection that collection that celebrated Indian-Fijian culture through authentic Fijian prints and Indian clothing styles.

Shandil called the collection The Horizon and believed there was a gap in the market for fashion that merged the two cultures.

“What I want to do is make sure that the Indian culture in Fiji has its own identity.”

“I want to create something that’s Fiji-made.”

Helen Oro: Indigenous Cultures Are Universal
International designers have always been a staple at Fiji Fashion Week.

This year’s shows featured Helen Oro, a designer from Pelican Lake First Nation in Canada who first discovered Fiji on Facebook and was only able to visit until FJFW 2023.

Her collection highlighted black and bright red ensembles with handmade beaded accessories, which Oro said were tributes to her sister who passed away recently.

Like many local designers, Ms Oro is heavily inspired by her Indigenous heritage and recognised that the Fijian culture shares a lot of similarities with her own culture.

“We are telling stories through our work, whether it’s through print and weaving,” she said.

“The indigenous cultures are universal in that sense.”

Local Designers Opt For Local Fabrics As Costs Rise
As importing textiles becomes more expensive and less feasible, local designers have had to seek alternative options that are budget-friendly and often better for the environment, like locally sourced textiles and recycled materials.

Jyoti Shandil said that her entire collection from last night’s runway was made entirely from local fabrics, a path she intends to continue down.

Hoerder acknowledges that not everyone can afford to travel for their fabric needs when the supply overseas can often be cheaper and of greater variety.

“It’s very unfortunate that some designers don’t travel,” Hoerder said.

“They don’t have sufficient fabrics, so they liaise with retailers here to order the fabrics through them.

“I do that too.”

Story by: jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj