Bottega Gold Fijian Fashion Festival - Day 2

It’s the final day and probably the end of the Fashion season till Style Fiji, but I’m almost all ‘fashioned’ out. Honestly. It’s great that we have Fashion Shows happening one after another but it also gets tiring too. Perhaps a month apart from each other would be great ? Two days of shows for each event one week apart - like I’m sorry but not everybody ‘make money move’ that quick to afford $300 worth of tickets per show one week after another. And don’t even get me started with trying to get your outfits sorted for the four nights! Anywayysss, moving on. Here are my Top 5 picks for the night handed to you on a silver platter. I don’t have any Bottom 2 picks for Day 2 because I loved ALL the collections. So, good vibes only for this one ;). MOANA COLLECTION by Samson Lee If anything, I will say that Samson ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS nails it with his prints. He’s had several collections out in a short timespan and each time he comes out with a print I’m always on my phone saving pictures, double tapping on the gram to even taking screenshots. And no, this is not so that I can ask Samson to make me one. It’s really just to add to my wish list or like a ‘To Buy Before I’m 30” list. For those who know me will know that I’m not about the expensive stuff. And that’s really because I can’t afford it. But one day. ;) Samson’s designs to me is very luxe. I don’t own anything SL as much I’d love to, but I’ve purchased SL as gifts to close friends because I feel that SL caters to everyone and everyone I get SL for always comes back to me with a “OMG I love it!”. His collection spoke volumes of just how Samson’s grown over such a short time. It’s a brilliant idea that he’s partnered with those Senilolo accessories because on the catwalk the outfits looked stunning and he fancied headpieces and bold earings with them which I thought complimented his new prints very well. I’m definitely getting my SL soon. It’s about time. Congratulations Samson, you are the real Moana. :)

PATE by Alipate Sowane I was not surprised with Alipates collection at all. When I heard he was designing at the BGFFF, I already knew it was going to be a good one. If you see Alipate dress, he’s always in it to win it. He’s a stylish and petite young man who’s usually quiet when we meet. But silence is golden. His collection automatically had a spot n my Top 5 because of its cohesion, story, design and style. It wasn’t too much but at the same time it wasn’t too little either. You could easily tell that as much as Pate wanted to play safe, he was taking a bit of a risk there as well which I love. Matching purple lace with solid colored grey skirts, sheer fabric to leather crops and to that show stopping piece with pink flowers that model Christina Nagan wore. AMAZEEEEE! Great job Pate and looking forward to seeing more amazing stuff from you.

IKOU RUA by 8 Mountains They’ve done it again! Two times in a row. Once at Fashion Week and again during the Festival. Another wonderful collection by 8Mountains showcasing diversity in sizes and an array of prints and designs. My favorite piece would definitely be the white jacket that Ilai wore on the runway. It’s sleek, it’s white and it’s so me. “Moira darling, let me holla atchu for that white jacket booboo” lol . Great work Team 8Mountains. Super proud of you all.

ROWIE LAL - Bridal Collection Great collection Rowie but I was kinda on the fence with this one. I liked it more than I disliked it though and that’s why it made it to my top 5. Apart from Huppy’s Bridal Collection which I absolutely LOVE, this is the second one I’ve seen and liked so far. I get the idea behind most of the pieces and I commend you for your hard work, but there were two things I thought I’d write about from my observation. There was something wrong with the fit of the gowns on the models. Everything else was great except for the fit. It could have been a mess up with models backstage ? Maybe a different set of models allocated to you and a different set walked for you? Who knows. But to bring it in just a little bit more to create a more defined top-silhouette would be great. Also with styling. I mean, I’m all for the accessories and I know you are too, but we could have gone without the flower crowns I thought. It looked a bit tacky and the gowns alone would have been just right. But great job nonetheless and all the best for your next collection.

VONO by Tiana Vono “Shante, you stay!” And you are not going anywhere just yet until I’m done praising your work! Oh Tiana. It’s really about time that Fiji saw something different on the catwalk. I saw your collection at last years Pacific Runway and I was like ‘yasss mama, bring it all home’! And than I see this collection and I’m speechless. I think it really all comes down to your sense of style as the Tiana Vono I met in Sydney. Your personal style transcended into, what I remember you calling, - your soul on a canvas. Every single piece was thought-out and every piece of jewellery I could tell was specially curated for a certain look and vibe that you were going for. I didn’t just have one favourite piece, but instead I had 8 favourite pieces. Too bad none of them are my size because if they were I’d holla at you next week in Sydney for some of that VONO magic. SUPER proud of your achievements Tiana and I honestly cannot wait to see more of you.

So finally ! Last and final blog done for Fashion season and I’m so happy that I don’t get to write about Fashion again for a few months till the next Fashion event. Now it’s back to Travel Blogging and I’m excited to share my traveling experiences with you soon.

I hope you all enjoyed my coverage of both Fashion events and I appreciate all your feedback so far. A special shoutout to my photographer for the day, Ray Lochlan Campbell ( Instagram : @ray_lochlan or @raylochlan ) for covering the event for me and capturing these amazing photos. Can’t wait to work with you again on Pacific Runway in Sydney later this year. And also to Allan Stephen of Infinity Images Fiji ( Instagram : @infinityimagesfiji ) for allowing me to use your photos and reminding me to credit you. 😂 I can’t with you Sigatoka people! Till the next event, Thank you all so much. Penning out, David Solomone