After a 4–5 year hiatus, KuiViti is making a powerful return to Fiji Fashion Week 2026—this time with clarity, intention and a deeper sense of identity.
For designer Epeli Tuibeqa, this moment isn’t simply about coming back to the runway. It marks the continued rise of a creative force who has already left a lasting imprint on the industry, having won both the Hall of Fame Award and Designer of the Year Award in 2022.
“The timing felt right,” he explains.
“The last few years were spent refining KuiViti — understanding its identity at a deeper level. So this isn’t really about returning, it’s about presenting a more resolved version of the brand.” As Fiji Fashion Week enters its 19th year, the platform provides the perfect stage for this evolution.
Time away from the spotlight has proven transformative. What was once expressive has now become intentional. “The design language is more focused — print, structure and storytelling are working together rather than competing,” Tuibeqa shares. “It’s less about doing more and more about saying things with precision.”
This refined approach comes to life in KuiViti’s 2026 collection, Wasawasa. Inspired by the ocean, the collection explores depth—not just visually, but metaphorically. “The ocean isn’t just a reference — it’s a reflection of identity. Layered, shifting, sometimes calm, sometimes powerful,” he says. Through intricate print-on-print techniques and fluid movement, the garments evoke a presence beyond aesthetics. “It’s not just something you see — it’s something you feel.”
Operating across the United States and China, the brand has gained valuable global perspective. Rather than diluting its Pacific identity to fit international markets, KuiViti has become more disciplined in defining it. “The goal isn’t to blend in globally — it’s to stand out with something distinct,” Tuibeqa notes. A major milestone in this journey was being invited to perform and showcase at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York — an opportunity made possible with the support of Sachiko Soro and Vou Dance Fiji. “Presenting within The Metropolitan Museum of Art carried a sense of weight — not just as a designer, but as a representative of Pacific creativity on a global stage,” Tuibeqa reflects. “Having observed the Met Gala over the years, to then move through that same space with purpose was both grounding and affirming.”
For Tuibeqa, the experience goes beyond recognition. “Moments like this reinforce the importance of showing up with clarity and strength when opportunity presents itself. For Pacific people, it’s about shifting perception — moving beyond the idea of ‘small islands’ and embracing the reality that we come from the largest ocean in the world. And like the Pacific itself, there is depth, presence and power in how we take up space — and in how we choose to own it.”
Over the years, Fiji Fashion Week has evolved into a more confident platform for designers.
For KuiViti, it has been part of that journey, but this year feels different. “It’s less about participation and more about presentation,” he says.
Influences from pageantry have also shaped the brand’s identity. Understanding how garments command attention has translated into designs that balance presence with restraint.
“Now it’s less about spectacle for the sake of it and more about controlled impact.”
Balancing an international brand while staying grounded in Fijian roots has not been without challenges. Yet, this balance defines KuiViti’s strength. “Staying connected requires intention,” he emphasizes.
Today, the KuiViti woman embodies quiet confidence. She understands what she wears.
“The garments don’t wear her she carries them.”
For emerging Fijian designers, the message is clear: “Take your time. There’s pressure to be visible quickly, but clarity is more important than speed. Build something with depth, not just attention. Because attention fades — but identity lasts.”
As KuiViti returns to the runway, it does so not just as a brand, but as a statement — ne grounded in identity, refined through time and ready to be felt on a global stage.
For emerging Fijian designers, the message is clear: take your time. “There’s pressure to be visible quickly, but clarity is more important than speed,” Tuibeqa advises. “Build something with depth, not just attention. Because attention fades — but identity lasts.”
As KuiViti returns to the runway, it does so not just as a brand, but as a statement — one grounded in identity, refined through time and ready to be felt on a global stage.
KuiViti’s latest designs.
Picture: SUPPLIED
