Fiji’s fashion industry is flowing with talent, says Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW) director Ellen WhippyKnight.
On Saturday night, designers and models alike were recognised for their talent and contribution to Fiji’s fashion industry during the National Fashion Awards presented by Vodafone and FJFW held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
Ms Whippy-Knight said all industry players needed to be recognised, just like any other sector for the work that they did.
“Most importantly, it’s for the growth and the development of this industry and everybody came out so beautifully dressed and everybody is wearing their own designs, which is great,” she said.
She also highlighted that Fiji was abundant in talent when it came to designing and there was a need to cultivate this through avenues such as the setting up of a fashion school in the country.
Ms Whippy-Knight also commended the designers who had grown from operating as small and medium-sized enterprises into large scale businesses.
“There’s no stopping us now. We’ve set the template and now it is going to go forward.”
NATIONAL FASHION AWARDS WINNERS
HERE is the list of the winners from the National Fashion Awards presented by Vodafone and Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW).
• FJFW Sustainable Impact and Development – Tracey Ann Farrington
• FJFW Innovative Textile and Print – Atelaite Daunibau
• FJFW Progressive Development – Sunia Tubuna and Atelaite Daunibau
• FJFW Excellence in Fashion in Commerce – Tracey Ann Farrington • FJFW Rising Star – Atelaite Daunibau • FJFW Emerging Male Model – Watisoni Mataki
• FJFW Male Model of the Year – Akini Qauqau
• FJFW Emerging Female Model – Alisha Idana
• FJFW Female Model of the Year 2023 – Sera Volavola
• Special Acknowledgement for Services to FJFW 2023 – Christine Lyons (The Fiji Times general manager)
• FJFW Fashion Icon 2023 – Evlyn Mani
• FJFW People’s Choice 2023 – Tracey Ann Farrington
• FJFW Hall of Fame 2023 – Tracey Ann Farrington and Samson Lee
• FJFW Best Menswear Designer – Temesia Tuicaumia
• FJFW Managing Directors Special Recognition – Tracey Ann Farrington
• FJFW Designer of the Year – Samson Lee
