Update: 9:58AM FIJIAN designer Ilai Jikoiono was honoured by a member of the Tongan Monarchy this week for designing a dress worn at the premier of the new Disney movie, Moana.
Jikoiono created a dress for Princess Frederica Tuita, the daughter of Tonga’s Princess Royal Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu, worn in Los Angeles on Monday evening.
The noble released a statement to say
she had consulted several Pacific designers before deciding on Jikoiono.
“Moana is such a significant movie for
young Pacific Islanders who will have a role model on the big screen, who looks
exactly like them. I wanted to be truly representative and authentic in how I
presented myself on the red carpet,” Princess Tuita said.
“I
am so grateful to Zuber Fiji and designer, Ilai Jikoiono for coming through in
such a short timeframe and to my dear friend, Salome Tukuafu for making the
introduction. My dresses, in the colours of the moana were a perfect complement
to my heirloom ‘kie hingoa’ which was the centrepiece of my outfit, which also
belongs to my mother.”
Jikoiono said it was an honour to be
associated with both the noble and the Disney movie.
“To have been selected by a member of
the last Monarchy in our region, a truly gracious Pacific Princess, for a
Hollywood event – a Disney movie premier, which is representing us Pacific
Islanders, is not only an exciting opportunity but also a great honour,” Mr
Jikoiono said.
“Upon meeting her, it became clear that
she is, the real life Moana, an Oceanic Princess, a woman with a deep passion
for our home, so it was only fitting that he garment represented voyage,
discovery, and love – the ocean, our ocean,” he said.
