Four hundred people are expected to witness a powerful lineup of Fiji’s best fashion designers when Fiji Fashion Week (FJFW) closes with the FJFW Resort Luxe Show in Nadi this weekend. The show, which ends a month of events, will take place at The Hilton Fiji Resort and Spa on Saturday, November 28 and organisers say ticket sales have been very fast.
The FJFW Resort Luxe Show will bring together Robert Kennedy, Hupfeld Hoerder, Samson Lee, Epeli Tuibeqa, Sonam Sapra, Rosie Emberson Semisi, Moira Solvalu, Aisea Konrote, Tracy Farrington and Ellen Whippy-Knight.
The FJFW managing director said the strong showing was a testament to how resilient the local fashion industry was.
“This is the first time Fiji Fashion Week has brought together so many key established designers in one show who I expect will put together exciting collections at the FJFW Resort Luxe Show,” Ms Whippy-Knight said.
The show is set on the beach at the Hilton Fiji Resort and Spa commemorates the United Nations International Year of the Ocean.
Two emerging designers handpicked by Ellen Whippy-Knight for their consistently good work over the past two years will also feature in the line-up of 15 designers.
“Established designers are those who have established retail outlets, show exceptional skill and construction and whose commitment and consistency to the work has established the Fiji fashion industry over the past decade.
“What makes this show very different from other for events that have taken place throughout the month of Fiji Fashion Week is that this is the finale but in fashion week international standard.
The main show, which is the show that features established designers is always the biggest event of the week.”
The FJFW finale is also the show where FJFW would unveil developments in the industry and big plans for the next fashion season.
Ms Whippy-Knight through a video message from Sydney will announce exciting plans for the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of turnout, the more expensive tickets which are Row A and Row B sold at $100 and $150 respectively, have been sold out.
An extra Row C had to be put in to cater to the growing demand for tickets from people in the Western Division as well as for those here in the Central Eastern parts of the country who will travel down to see the newest and best in Fijian fashion.
FJFW hopes that same energy and turnout will occur on Sunday, November 29, when the Fiji Fashion Week market takes place.
Like every fashion week, the clothes on the runway are samples, customers will need to be at the market day to place orders for the clothes which were showed the night before, Whippy-Knight explains.
Given the global disruptions in the supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, FJFW said the powerful line-up speaks of resilience.
“Our Fijian designers have shown in their ability to continue to access raw materials from overseas, their commitment to the craft and to ensuring that while supply chains have broken down, Fijians can continue to purchase the latest fashion wear made right here at home,” Ms Whippy-Knight said.
Fiji Fashion Week designers have always had to bring in their raw materials from overseas, although creative ability and talent highlighted on those fabrics are all drawn from the culture and traditions of the Pacific region.
Ms Whippy-Knight said FJFW had worked hard to stage the show this year, although delaying it by a few months because of the company’s belief in the ability of Pacific Island designers to showcase uniquely Fijian and Pacific inspired concepts.
“Since the start of Fiji Fashion Week on November 14, ticket sales have moved quickly in comparison with previous years’ events and this too is a testament to the support that’s come from the community towards fashion designers.
It illustrates people’s willingness to support each other and to buy local considering the state of the global economy.”
