Fiji Fashion Week 2018 - Resort Cruise Show

Let’s talk Fashion!

So every year I’m out here choosing my favorite three designers of the night. I talk about how great they were, how their collections were cohesive and functional etc. But not this year, I’m choosing my Top 5 FAVS followed by my LEAST FAV 3. I feel like the bar has been raised by the newbies and drastically dropped by the veterans of FJFW and I’m ready to serve you some tea and coffee freshly brewed out of ThreeGoodLanes kitchen. TOP 5 FAVS RASA by Rafa Ganilau Lee. Now let’s just take a minute to give this young talented designer a round of applause. I don’t know about you, but I’m here applauding his creativity, his choice of fabric and the fact that it was all carefully thought out and styled for the runway. Some pieces I thought he could have gone without but if you’re a fan of layering and mixing than this ones for you. Great job Rafa! Our future in Fashion is looking promising from where I’m sitting.

SEEWA by Seewa Seth Wakanda for Life! Well it kinda gives you that vibe doesn’t it? I’m a lover of all things safari and accessories and African fashion, but when all three looks come together you best believe I’m half way to Wakanda already. My blogger friends and I first came across Seewa Seth at FJFW 2015. She wasn’t able to attend that year but her designs showcased and we all fell in love. This years look was quite different though. She pulled out the khakis and safaris with her signature African inspired accessories; belts, head pieces and dramatic neckpieces. I felt it was styled perfectly for the runway. It wasn’t too much, it wasn’t too minimal. It was just right! Congratulations and job well done Seewa. See you in two weeks.

I.AM Design by Seci Burese First of all, shoutout to my girl from the ‘yasa’ for debuting his collection at this years Fashion Week. I first met Seci when he was a junior in high school. I was with Fashion Week at that time and he and his friends would rock up to the office with their story boards waiting to be seen by Ellen. They were student designers at that time and Seci just happened to be one of the best. He won the Student Designer Award that year. Fast track to Friday nights Resort Cruise Show where he launched I-AM Design. Honestly, it wasn’t all there for me booboo. But I could see where you were going with this one Seci and with just those few pieces, you took me on that journey with you. I loved the choice of fabric and the color swatches (blacks and blues). The prints were wearable and were not too bold. Your jackets, gawdddd give them all to me! Lol Playing it safe was smart for a debut, but I’m hoping to see something more ‘out of the box’ from you next year. All in all, great job Seci!

TURAGA FIJI Ok hold up, now who is this designer ? Where did he come from ? How long has he been designing for and what’s his story ? Somebody? Anybody ? I’ve honestly been waiting for some fashionable looks for men and I think TURAGA FIJI just dished out some for us with his collection. The last time I genuinely loved a full male collection was during Fashion Week 2013 when Donna Whippy released her range of male suits. This years Turaga Collection passed with flying colors for me. He made print-on-print look sexy and wearable. I loved his choice of fabric, prints and color and the smart looking apron-effect he made on the sulus. I’m not such a big fan of the cut on some of the shirts, but that’s excused! Amazing work Turaga Fiji. Looking forward to seeing more of you.

Professor Bin “Of course his clothing would be great. He’s a professor in Fashion at a University in China for crying out loud!” - says everyone else. I know, I know but come on guys, we must talk about his collection because in my head, I’m back at the MET Gala 2015 when the theme was “China Through The Looking Glass”. I’m in Professor Bins tassel blue, white and red dress with puffy sleeves walking up the stairs in between Rihanna and SJP. Lol But really, I thoroughly enjoyed his collection because as much as it was high fashion, it also had a theatrical aspect to it that I found very interesting. It almost reminded me of the Arts Museum I visited in Futian Shanzan China back in 2016. Art galore! Anyways, xiexie Mr Bin.

LEAST FAV 3 GUILTY by Samal Singh I kinda don’t get this collection to be honest. It’s everywhere for me. I see some smart looks mixed with some of that ‘skater boy’ swag and a bit of a office wear look too Id like to call it ? But personally, I feel like there’s no thought process put into this. I almost wanna say there’s no originality too, but that two-tonne zip in the middle of that tee, girlllll, ORIGINALL! I will give him credit for his props though.

MAUSIO by Michael Mausio Ok. What don’t I like about Michaels collection? Almost everything! Here’s why. So you prepare for Fashion Week months, if not a year, in advance. When the time comes to finally showcase your pieces to Fiji and the world and customers reach deep into their pockets to pay $150 to see some good shit, you get slapped right across the face and get served a slice of swimming togs for men that’s almost identical to PIA, a piece of head lei, a light garnish of shell necklace and a side of basic towels? That to me is a NO NO! I don’t see any effort put on styling the ensembles and that’s upsetting. Ok cool, you’re promoting your prints. But those are prints from two years ago! I’m honestly hoping for a better collection from Michael next year. Bring back the old Michael. But for now, it’s a no from me.

ROSAAC by Rosie Isaac The only reason why I put Rosie in my least favorite section is because her line wasn’t cohesive enough for me and I didn’t see a story. Technicality was on point. Her fabric choice was amazing. But it just wasn’t enough for me. Great direction Rosie and welcome back to the Fashion scene. Hoping for something better next year from you.