The fashion industry in Fiji needs everyone’s support including our government to become firmly established and to contribute more productively with the growth of the country.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar made those comment when she officiated at the Fiji Fashion Week Resort Luxe Show at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau, on Saturday night.

“With a strong commitment and backing of your sponsors from the private sector much has been accorded in the way of staging successful shows throughout,” she said.

“Let us remain appreciative of the small mercies that have been granted to us, being here this evening is a step towards some form of post-covid that we cannot take for granted.”

Ms Akbar congratulated FJFW managing Director Ellen Whippy-Knight and her hardworking Fiji Fashion Week team on their 13th anniversary of the show.

“Ellen, your vision to establish a platform for local designers to showcase their culture, innovations, and creativity is truly commendable and has gone to inspire the entire fashion industry in Fiji,” she added.

“We are very proud of the success that the Fiji Fashion Week has achieved in these last 13 years and including the expansion of their mandate to incorporate educational opportunities for students to pursue further qualification in fashion in both local and international tertiary institutions.”

The Minister is particularly impressed by their commitment to talent discoveries in our communities and even more impressed by the resilient nature of the young ladies serving time at the Fiji Corrections Service facility.

FJFW managing Director Ellen Whippy-Knight said: “2020 has been a challenging year for designers.

“No match for our passion in our usual style to pave the way. We show the world we love creativity and support SME,” she said.

She added that 15 of Fiji’s top designers who have worked against disrupted supply chains to still bring the best to the runway.

Models on the cat walk during the Fiji Fashion Week Resort Luxe Show at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Denarau on November 28, 2020. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

The line up included:
Rosie Emberson Semisi (Rosie Semisi), Duatani (Hosanna Kabakoro), Baby Bo by Sonam (Sonam Sapra), Temesia.co (Temesia Tuicaumia) Lavalani Designs (Susana Samuels), Robert Kennedy Fiji (Robert Kennedy), Rogue Stitch (Andrew Powell), Bondi Bondi (Tracey Farrington), Letila Mitchell (Letila Mitieli), KuiViti (Epeli Tuibeqa), 8 Mountains (Moira Solvalu), HEFRANI (Aisea Konrote), Samson Lee Fiji (Samson Lee), Hupfield Hoerder Designs (Hupfield Hoerder), Ellen Grace (Ellen Whippy-Knight).

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj