AZA Shows Exclusively at Fijian Fashion Festival

AZA is synonymous with lux­ury and has dressed some of the most successful mem­bers of Fijian society.

This year the Tappoo exclusive brand, AZA by Zulfikar Ali will be showing new collections at the Fi­jian Fashion Festival on June 1 and 2 at the Grand Pacific Hotel.

AZA by Zulfikar Ali has developed a reputation for creating luxury In­dian inspired fashion, in which he infuses his modern aesthetic with beautiful, intricate details and em­bellishments.

Like Tappoo, Fijian Fashion Fes­tival has discovered and promoted Fijian designers as part of the key to its success.

Tappoo and Fijian Fashion Fes­tival share a similar ideology in showcasing the best of Fijian design and talent both nationally and inter­nationally.

Fashion Council of Fiji chairper­son Faraz Ali said: “Generally when someone thinks high fashion they think AZA in our context, and he in fact holds the record for the most expensive Fijian fashion garment sold. In 2014 he sold a wedding outfit for $15,000.

“He is living proof that high fash­ion design and high fashion spend­ing exists right here in Fiji,” Faraz said.

“At the Fijian Fashion Festival, we are so proud to have him on board showing exclusively with us.

“We know that he does not need a platform to sell, in fact his clients have said for many years that he doesn’t need to be part of a platform and they would support him any­way due to his sheer talent.

“So the fact that he has chosen to take up the challenge of an indi­vidual designer show to present a full collection of 50 pieces (a first for Fiji), is an absolute honour for us.

“As the Chair of the Fashion Coun­cil, it brings me great joy to see our designers leading the way in the broader Creative Sector.

“The other designers who have committed to individual designer shows are Hupfeld Hoerder and Ai­sea Konrote”

Fashion designer Zulfikar Ali said: “Last year all we knew was that Fiji Fashion Week has winded up

“When I was invited by Faraz and Ilai to the launch of the Fijian Fash­ion Festival they came up to me with the concept there but doing it was a bit different.

“I could have an exclusive AZA show only which is a day show where by full collection of 40-60 out­fits would be done to my taste.

“When you design something you go for that particular look in an out­fit.”

Last year of course Ellen Whippy-Knight, is the Managing Director of Fiji Fashion Week Ltd, announced her retirement but it is understood that Fiji Fashion Week will have its show at the National Gynasium a week before the Fijian Fashion Fes­tival.

“I can’t comment on Fiji Fashion Week as that is a private entity that is not associated with the Fashion Council of Fiji or the Fijian Fashion Festival.

“As the Chair of Council, I sup­port all fashion events and wish the organisers of that event the best of luck.

“The Council has specific goals which are related to industry build­ing, and to the establishment of Suva as the global centre for Pacific fashion. The Festival is a reflection of that goal.”

The Festival is also a not for profit, industry owned platform. It is com­mitted to the values of diversity, inclusion, growth, youth empower­ment, and above all SME develop­ment in the Creative Sector through the fashion industry.

“The Fijian Fashion Festival is also the only event endorsed by the Fashion Council of Fiji (our na­tional peak body of the fashion in­dustry, which represents the entire spectrum of the industry) as our national fashion platform.

“Other events which we support in­clude the event you mentioned and also the incredible and boundary pushing Style Fiji, and the creative and dynamic Project Jejemon.

“I believe that all events support the Festival platform as they help us to uncover new talent.

The Fijian Fashion Festival is an aspirational event.

“You’ll notice from our line up that we have Fiji’s most successful and dynamic designers and labels showing with us, many of them ex­clusively.

“The newer designer that we are nurturing are seeking to reach that standard of excellence.

“We hope that future designers will also aspire to apply for admission to the Festival which is committed to presenting the very best of our in­dustry to Fiji, our region, and the world.”

DESIGNER CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA

LEGENDARY DESIGNERS: Fijian Designers who have established themselves in the market and the diaspora. These designers have cult followings locally and internationally and can have standalone shows. Their garments are easily recognised, as they are loved.

DESIGNER CRITERIA FOR LEGENDARY DESIGNERS: 1. Designing for more than 5 years and releases annual collections 2. Setup Design Studio and/or Has Retail Presence (Either stand alone or in a boutique) 3. Has strong social media presence and influence 4. Easily recognised brand 5. Has become household name

BLOOMING DESIGNERS:

Designers who have launched their labels and have been designing for more than 3 years.

They are on the cusp of breaking through and becoming household names. These designers are the next in line of joining the Legends category.

DESIGNER CRITERIA FOR BLOOMING DESIGNERS:

• Designing for more than 3 years
• Released 3 or more collections
• Has Social Media presence and following
• Still on the rise and building brand influence

FUTURE DESIGNERS (BUDDING): Designers who have been designing in the past 2 years and who have yet to launch commercially.

These are the promising future stars of the Fijian Fashion Industry and will require training and mentoring.

DESIGNER CRITERIA FOR BUDDING DESIGNERS:

• 15 years or Older
• Fijian Resident or Citizen.
• Creative and Artistic
• Able to draw or sketch

MOANA DESIGNERS: Visiting designers from neighbouring countries in the Pacific region.

DESIGNER CRITERIA FOR MOANA DESIGNERS:

• Overseas based designer
• Satisfies at least Criteria for Blooming Designer

LEGENDARY.

BLOOMING.

BUDDING.

MOANA.