An enabling environment is essential to unleashing the full potential of Fijians pursuing a career in fashion and design, says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

She made the comment while speaking at the Fashion Incubation Centre located at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) in Nabua on  Friday.

In 2019, the NTPC and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) consulted with Fiji’s fashion industry stakeholders to explore ways of responding to the production needs of fashion graduates from FNU and APTC.

Collaboration

Both parties agreed to collaborate to reactivate the FNU Garment Factory as a way to support FNU and APTC graduates as well as emerging designers and small business entrepreneurs.

The centre will enable production runs of up to 100 items – ideal for small business entrepreneurs who are unable to place orders through established garment factories due to their small quantity.

The centre’s programs are designed to support young designers and fashion start-ups, enabling them to develop and contribute to new entrepreneurial initiatives locally.

Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa, fourth from left, at the launch of the Fashion Incubation Centre in Suva.

Promoting Fijian Made

Mrs Vuniwaqa said the Fijian Government supported local talent and initiatives, such as the Fashion Incubation Centre, as they promote a “Fijian Made” brand.

“This is particularly timely during this difficult and challenging time, when people are struggling to cope with the detrimental social and economic impacts of COVID-19,” she added.

“The opening of this new incubation centre today signifies added arenas for the continuing growth of the incubation programmes.

“I look forward to seeing more and more shining designers coming out from this new centre to contribute to the development of our fashion.”
Stimulating income-generating activities

Australian High Commission Counsellor for Development Cooperation Renee Deschamps said: “We are proud to support this initiative through the APTC, and contribute to stimulating income-generating activities for Fiji’s economic growth.”

Chair of Fiji Fashion Council, Andrew Powell, said the launch highlighted the fresh talent Fiji has to offer in fashion and designing.

“The best and effective fashion designing course not only improves your creative skills and knowledge,” he said.

The Fashion Incubation Centre is a result of discussions betwen the National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) in Nabua, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and Fiji’s fashion industry.

Trends

“It also allows you to know about the changing trends.

“These are the most useful and significant skills that help you to obtain a bright future in this fashion designing industry.

“I am confident that the Fashion Incubation Centre will play an important role in enhancing Fiji’s image as a great place to shop, and a great trendsetter in today’s global fashion market,” Mr Powell said.

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