FMF Hibiscus Festival iTaukei Night winner Suliana Latianara turned her victory into a celebration of heritage, carrying the stories of two ancestral homes onto the stage through her traditional attire.
For the Nacamaki, Koro lass who is sponsored by Fiji Rugby, the win was made even more meaningful by the story woven into the design.
“This traditional attire is more than a costume; it is a story of identity, ancestry and belonging,” she told the crowd.
The front design represented her koro ni vasu (maternal links), Baravi Navakasiga in Bua, featuring natural tones, woven details, floral adornments and traditional patterns reflecting her people and their connection to the land.
The back portrayed her paternal roots in Nacamaki, Koro, Lomaiviti.
“I am a young woman carrying two homes, two stories and generations of heritage with pride.”
