Our Pacific Fashion Playground - Pacific Runway Fashion Show
I still can't get over the experience. 5 month later and I'm 'shittin priggs' about the Pacific Runway Fashion Show at Carriage Works. Held at the prestigious and world renown Carriage Works in Sydney, the Pacific Runway Fashion Show was my first ever international Fashion Show and it definitely won't be my last.
I entered the venue with butterflies in my tummy. Nervous and shy, I wasn't used to attending huge events anywhere else apart from Fiji. No face was a familiar face. It was awkward to me how I couldn't hobnob with Sydney's Pacific Islands glitterati. But it was a learning experience, so with all my years of networking at events, I had to put it to trial at the Pacific Runway Fashion Show 2016 with Sydney's Pacific elites .
People were all dressed to the nines and in their own version of a Pacific theme (which I thoroughly enjoyed). Faraz Ali (President of the Fiji Fashion Council) was there i(n his Robert Kennedy ensemble) with his Fashionista BFF Atong (who wore Zuber and slated). It was great meeting the talented and ever gorgeous Dusk Devi (Model Extraordinaire and Event Organiser). I then felt like I was home after meeting Fijis delegation.
From L to R: Dusk Devi, myself wearing a Kapui hand painted jacket, Faraz Ali wearing Robert Kennedy Fiji, Atong wearing ZUBER Fiji
I've blogged for Fiji Fashion Week for a number of years now and it felt so different blogging at PR2016. I could tell by the setup of the event that it took a lot of planning, brainstorming and creative juices to pull off a show as big as this, although I felt the venue was too big. The double-hulled canoe as a centre piece was the perfect idea. The seats were setup in a horse-shoe shape and the lighting in there was the best for any "Frower" wanting to take a selfie or a quick snap for Instagram. Now to the Fashion side of things.
There were close to 20 designers from all across the Pacific who showed on that night but I had my eyes on three of my favourites. Here's my pick for the top 3 designers at the Pacific Runway Fashion Show.
1. WANTOK CLOTHING - Papua New Guinea brought it ALL to the front at this years Pacific Runway Fashion Show. It was a plethora of colors with a perfect mash of indigenous prints significant to the PNG culture. I spotted more Maxis than Minis on the runway and I thought to myself "GREAT JOB". When the world reveals too much, let us be modest and trendy at the same time. Kudos WANTOK. 8/10.
2. BLACKMOB THE LABEL- This collection is my version of street-chic. Quirky and trendy, BLACKMOB played it safe using minimal colors and no accessories at all. In terms of international trends, this would totally fit in at Fashion Capital New York and a more quirky Tokyo and Beijing. However, I feel the collection wasn't Pacific enough for me. The designer probably envisioned this collection for the international market, but since it's the Pacific Runway show, it would be great to see a hint of flora or fauna or a more playful pacific themed color pallets. Overall, 8/10.
3. VEIKAULOA BY BAYVICK DESIGNS - Now this collection was a force to reckon with. This represented Fiji well at Pacific Runway 2016. Glamor Goddess meet Pacific Islander galore. Bayvick played it smart with the use of stretch cotton and a black theme. Sublimated onto the black fabric were green pandanus leaves incorporation the Urban Jungle theme similar to Cavallis 2015 Summer line. Designing also for our rubenesque, B launched a more 'drappy' and fitted like for her and an edgy sophisticated look for him. Great job Bay. 9/10 for me *Disclaimer - Bayvick and I are long time friends but credit has to be given where it's due and VeikauLoa deserves this place in my top three listing.*
So there you have it. Thank you to the organisers of PR2016 for extending the invitation. The Blogging community in Fiji is a growing one so we don't normally get invitations to fashion shows held in Sydney or anywhere (LOL). Thank you Dusk Devi, Jannike and the crew for putting on such a fabulous show and helping promote Pacific talent. Till October 27th 2017 (Pacific Runway 2017),
Signing out DKS xx
