Vodafone Fiji has announced their support for this year’s Wearing Fiji initiative at the renowned SL Boutique in Suva in a press conference held yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Vodafone’s manager of sponsorship Adriu Vakarau said, “This sponsorship support enables our creative minds to enhance their artistic skills.”
“We have a long-standing partnership with the project co-founder, Samson Lee.
“Today we are on board with a shared passion for supporting Fijian Made and encouraging the younger generation to pursue their fashion interest.
“Through the provision of funds, trade tools, and skill learning, we actively empower our youth through many of our initiatives across the country.”
Wearing Fiji spokesperson Temesia Tuicaumia said: “The vision behind the establishment of Wearing Fiji by the co-founders Samson Lee and Neisau Tuidraki is to empower and encourage the creative minds and provide a pathway to support the aspiring Fijian designers through the three-month mentorship program”.
Speaking at the event were two students who have now become established designers in the Fijian fashion industry.
Sharing their success stories were Maureen Angelee Mortel and Shane Pickering.
Ms Mortel who runs the label ‘MAAM’, acknowledged the work of the mentors in transforming her interest in fashion design to that of a fully-fledged fashion designer.
Mr Pickering also thanked the Wearing Fiji team for transforming his fashion career into now designing exquisite attires for influential clients through his designer label ‘Laboriel’, retailing from a shop at the Suva Flea Market.
Wearing Fiji focuses on mentoring by connecting student designers with established designers.
The project, now in its third year, has seen 18 student designers from various backgrounds and communities in Fiji go through the mentoring program.
Co-Founder Samson Lee confirms the theme for this year’s project is “Sauloa” under the mentorship of established designers, such as Hupfeld Hoerder, Robert Verebasaga, Andrew Powell, Natalia Larsen, Temesia Tuicaumia and Samson Lee himself.
