Chairman – Fashion Council of Fiji;
Members of the Fashion Council of Fiji;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula vinaka and a very good evening to you all.
I am delighted to be here at the National Designer Awards, the first ever of its kind in Fiji and the Pacific, and I must say, you all look wonderful.
I would like to begin by thanking the Fashion Council of Fiji for their invitation and extending me the opportunity to present the Awards to four hardworking, talented and deserving designers. I’m amazed to see how fashion and design has evolved over the years in Fiji and now play an equally important role as other artistic fields.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to commend the great work done by the Council thus far, in providing such platforms for our talented local established and aspiring designers, to showcase their God gifted talents. You not only market your own brands, but brand Fiji as well.
As a Fashion council and as designers, you also contribute to the development of Fiji’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), that constitute the fashion and broader creative industries. Such industries have stimulated and created employment to many Fijians and expanded the industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Apart from organising such events, the Fashion Council of Fiji is also tasked with the responsibility of developing the fashion industry through capacity building, providing marketing opportunities, and connecting its members to existing and future markets, locally and internationally.
To our talented designers, I am sure this journey has not been a walk in the park for you and despite all odds, you have continued to do what you do best – creating. And tonight’s exquisite event will highlight your successful journey, the best of what you have taken to arrive at where you are and what will be comparable in the international fora. So please ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause to our hard working local designers.
Fashion really is a form of universal language which allows constructing and deconstructing our identities, to play any role we want by shaping our look to show certain attitudes or values. I’ve always found it amazing how quickly a piece of clothing can change how I feel, how I hold myself, and even how I act. Fashion as a phenomenon, is something that is very dynamic and in constant change, especially in the globalised world we live in.
The theme for tonight’s Awards – Neon Dreams depicts just this, how fashion plays a significant role, how it has become a language in itself and how the Fijian fashion industry is starting to be a part of the conversation. In order for us to do that, it is important that we all start looking at evolving as an industry to remain globally competitive.
In Fiji, while we enjoy fashion, innovation, culture and creativity, we also enjoy a unique advantage. We have re-invented our textile and clothing industry, to produce niche, high-end and now designer garments, because we don’t mass produce like large Asian manufacturers.
And despite containing less than 0.012 per cent of the world’s population, Fiji has created a brand that is synonymous with quality, high standards, and exclusivity associated with our pristine environment – which definitely includes our fashion industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian fashion industry has huge potential to become a very successful industry. For this to happen, all stakeholders need to work together with a common objective and the Fijian Government will play its part by providing the necessary support to grown this industry.
Under the Government’s Fijian Made-Buy Fijian Campaign, we have a logo dedicated to our designers, Fijian Designed. The Fijian Made-Buy Fijian Campaign currently has a total of 627 licensed Fijian Made companies on board, with 3,439 diverse products and I am proud to announce that 7 companies have been awarded with the Fijian Designed emblem for 29 products. Some of the products include solar panel designing, software designing, canvas painting and textile designing to name a few. This is further complemented by our Fijian Sewn brand that also recognises garments sewn right here in Fiji.
Therefore, I am putting a challenge to all the designers here tonight to acquire the logo, to take ownership of the logo and make it grow. This is an opportunity be part of the “Fijian” brand, and to market and promote your designs and creations under the successful and recognised banner of “Fijian Designed”.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Government is targeting new markets in the Southeast Asia region – visitors from this region are both high spenders and interested particularly in high-end designer products.
We want tourists to Fiji to buy Fijian designs so the fashion industry needs to think big and make our Fijian designs better than well-known high street brands.
Furthermore, we have a growing cottage industry, as Fijians are creating their designs from their homes and selling on-line, at the same time supplying them to boutiques and department stores.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is encouraging to see that our students are actively participating in designing. This is truly encouraging and promising and who knows, one day, we might even have our very own Donatello Versace, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren.
To all those who are indirectly involved in today’s event, photographers, choreographers, event planners, IT and of course volunteers, you have all contributed to the success so please do give yourselves a round of applause.
I encourage you all to continue to showcase the ‘Best of Fiji’ internationally, in markets like Australia and elsewhere, as the fashion industry requires quick turnaround.
To the nominees of the four categories, congratulations on your great achievement, continue to challenge your selves and set the bar even higher. And if you’ve missed out on an Award, you are still winners because you have the dedication and will – the two qualities that will take you a long way.
I strongly believe that with the right attitude, right partnerships and the right drive, Fijian fashion will undoubtedly have a very sustainable and vibrant future.
With those words, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you well for the event and have an enjoyable evening.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Dhanyabaad. Thank You.