Hopes to create a niche market for children’s wear, toys, dolls and accessories in both the local and tourist retail

Being semi-retired and a grandmother was no barrier to Mala Chawda to starting up her own business.

Having been in designing business on and off for many years, including international exposure, she founded Coconut Kids Fiji in 2012. She saw opportunity in children’s wear.

But before getting into children’s garments, she had first founded Fiji Baby Dolls.

She came up with the concept when she was doing a project for a customer – a child’s dress and needed a mannequin to put it on.

Since she could not find one, Mrs Chawda decided to make a doll herself.

“It came out so nice when I thought …gee there must be a market for this.

“That’s how the Fiji baby Dolls started. From there….it all started to happen….more products for kids.

“I saw there was an opportunity for well made children’s wear in Fiji as everywhere you see was cheap Asian Imports. When tourists come to Fiji they like to buy Made in Fiji items.  There was this niche market waiting to be exploited and I went for it. I got my inspiration from Pumpkin Patch and Cabbage Patch Kids.”

Mrs Chawda’s success in the field was recognised recently at the Fiji Development Bank Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Awards. She received the SME of the Year Awards as well as Manufacturing (Sole Trader) Award.

She hopes the awards will get her the business recognition she has always strived for.

“I am trying to create a niche market for children’s wear, toys, dolls and accessories in both the local and tourist retail,” Mrs Chawda said.

“I believe Coconut Kids Fiji is slowly becoming a recognised brand name in upper market children’s wear.

“My dream is to make Coconut Kids Fiji a well-recognised brand name here and overseas.”

Where to from here

Coconut Kids Fiji products are currently sold at MHCC-Suva, Tappoo outlets (at main branches and hotel shops), Jack’s of Fiji in Nadi and Port Denarau and Essence of Fiji Rejuvenation Centre in Nadi Back Road.

These products are also available from hotel boutique shops such as – Mana, Treasure Island, Jean Michel Cousteau, Malolo Island Resort, Likuliku Island Resort.

There obviously is no looking back for Mrs Chawda now as growth seems to be the only way to go.

“I am hoping to establish a retail outlet for upmarket Island wear clothing specialising in our traditional Muumuus, Sulu Jaba etc. We want to do this early next year,” she said.

“Obviously I would like to create more employment for ladies.”

Mrs Chawda said she is now beginning to get some inquiries from overseas and is in discussion with a few companies overseas.

“Just recently I have started getting inquiries from customers in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. We are confident we will get a break into the export market,” she said.

Background and training

Mrs Chawda told us she has always had a keen interest in designing from her early high school days.

“Fashion had always fascinated me ever since I was a child. I had a natural talent for art and creativity,” she said.

“In my high school days, I was always drawing anything that came into my mind.

“When we moved to Australia in 1988, I got the opportunity to enrol into Kangan University and pursue my dream of becoming a qualified fashion designer.”

She graduated in 1993 from the Kangan University with double qualifications – one in Associate Diploma in Fashion Design & Production and the other Advance Certificate in Designer Dressmaking.

“I had worked in Melbourne, Australia for a couple of years with some top name designers like Anthea Crawford, Styles of South Yarra. I moved back to Fiji in 1994.”

Feedback:  rachnal@fijisun.com.fj