Three student designers will debut their labels at the Wearing Fiji 2023 under its mentorship program — a project that advocates for fashion mentoring and education in Suva.
In a statement, WFJ co-founder Samson Lee said they had chosen three applicants for the program, and they would go through a judging penal when presenting their collections. The student designers are Aisea Solomone, Heather Vakaosooso and Ledua Daurewa.
The students underwent technical skills, public relations, business and social media mentoring sessions and they will produce a 12-piece collection that will debut their individual labels under the direction of the mentor designers.
WFJ co-founder Neisau Tuidraki said funding was provided for 20 students over a four-year period.
“The amounts have varied each year depending on sponsorship, but we always aim to find talent, mentor and invest in the next generation of designers,” she said.
The mentor designers and student designers would debut collections drawing inspiration from our deep ocean known as ‘Sauloa’ in Fijian.
Mentor Temesia Tuicaumia said Pacific Islanders were connected to the ocean; as it provided nourishment, inspiration for our culture and we always looked at ways to pay tribute to the environment.
The seven project mentors for this year are Samson Lee, Hupfeld Hoerder, Robert Verebasaga, Natalia Larsen, Neisau Tuidraki, Andrew Powell and Temesia Tuicaumia.
Wearing Fiji will be held this year at the HFC Stadium on October 7.
- Tickets are sold online at Ticketmaxfiji.com
