I was so lucky because I also got the opportunity to photograph backstage at Fiji Fashion Week this year.
I spoke at Fiji National University, then at Tailevu North high school,
and then also on the catwalk at fashion week(!)...
It was crazy, but it was fantastic too.
Talking with the students at the school it came to me that there were quite a few of them who were keen on photography as a career (with the amount of weddings hosted in Fiji, the tourist industry, and the growing fashion industry I think it is a good option for some) though the teaching there is so limited for that. Since I got back I have been trying to organise some more equipment so I can go to Fiji again and give some lessons.
That is something that would really make me smile!
Aaaand, I wrote an article to accompany Sonny's photos in the Fiji Airways in-flight magazine.
My first in-flight magazine article, so I am pretty stoked!
So you don't have to grab a magnifying glass.....
"Fashion in Paradise.
Years ago, while flying Air Pacific (Fiji Airways previous incarnation) a mellifluous voice came over the intercom to welcome us aboard “the world’s friendliest airline”. My young daughter misheard and thought the stewardess said the “world’s trendiest airline”, and the name has stuck with us since. Even if the slogan has dropped from the current moniker, it still holds true - Fiji Airways is the world’s friendliest airline - and since it is jetting people to and fro for Fiji Fashion Week (and for the purposes of my story) it can be the trendiest too!
Now Fijians are fabulous with a sulu, but when talking about fashion capitals around the world, Suva doesn’t normally get a mention – just ask acclaimed fashion photographer Sonny Vandevelde, whose job it is to travel the world covering all the action backstage at shows like Chanel, Versace and Tom Ford, in places like Paris, Milan and New York.
That’s right. The poor guy gets paid to travel the world and take beautiful photos of beautiful people in beautiful fashion!
Sonny is famous for his backstage photography, which is quirky, colourful and fun, and last month, with Fiji Fashion Week in it’s 8th year, Sonny travelled to Suva accompanied by myself, and Nicholas Huxley (the esteemed, and very talented, Head of the Fashion Design Studio in Sydney) to see what “Fashion in Paradise” was all about.
After a smooth touchdown in Nadi, Nicholas flew ahead to Suva, while Sonny and I took the overland route – Fiji is one of our favourite holiday destinations but as we had never been to Suva before, we wanted to see the countryside. That, and the fact we just can’t go past a meal of mud crab from our favourite restaurant Tomlus in Cuvu, on the Coral Coast. Truly it is the best mud crab, and it takes a long time to eat, so our arrival in Suva that night was very late!
The light of the next day revealed a stunningly serene vista over Lami Bay and it’s small islands, from our balcony at the Novotel. I had no idea Suva would look like this! Breakfast was accompanied by the most delightful array of tropical fish swimming past our table, almost close enough to touch, which along with that view of the bay lent the whole scene a cool, James Bond kind of feel.
The first stop on our schedule was a visit to Fiji National University to talk with design students about fashion and its related avenues. The audience had some great questions, and the panel had insightful answers. Fiji’s manufacturing industry is already well-established and ready for more, so building the fashion industry through the university’s fashion and design school is key to expanding in a growing market. Director of Fiji Fashion Week, Ellen Whippy-Knight, speaks passionately about the industry in Fiji. Her enthusiasm is not just words - she is making things happen from the ground up, starting with the students.
That night there was a great energy at the Vodafone Arena and we got our first taste of the exciting looks from both local and international designers. My personal favourites from the show were the relaxed, slouchy wearability and tailoring of the local, Rako Designs, and Dena Burton’s nod to 70’s styling with her Jetsetter collection.
On our second morning we had the pleasure of visiting Tailevu North College and speaking with the high school students there. Some are budding fashion designers, and artists, while others are keen photographers, eager to learn. I spoke with them about how photography is an industry of real growth in Fiji, and as someone who teaches photography I have no doubt I will be back there soon, giving a few lessons!
That evening, backstage was filled with models having hair and make-up retouches, scrambling into their outfits, and lots more great Fiji colour and patterns. I really loved the funky looks and gorgeous florals of Ilai Jikoiono, and the FNU Students had a fabulous collection, too!
Day three began with a children’s show – not just clothes for children, but clothes designed by children as well!
I have two words. Cuteness. Overload!
Backstage was buzzing with excitement because next it was a chance for the high school students to show off their outstanding talent, and I have to say, I was absolutely impressed and inspired by the designs of these students! If this is the future of Fiji fashion then the outlook is very bright. So many great pieces from all of the schools involved, but I really loved the classic pink styling from LDS, and the navy blue strapless dresses from Tailevu North (I’d like to put my order in for one of each now, thank you!).
The evening, and the event wrapped up with the Couture Resort Evening and Bridal Show. What a way to end it too, with really stunning creations! My highlight was the incredible Fijian Tapa wedding dress by Epeli Tuibqa. But I also adored the colour and movement of Robert Kennedy’s dresses, the boho looks of Hani Haring, the beauty and design of Aza by Ali Zulfikar and Nicholas Donlen’s awesome peacock feather dress…. actually, there were so many great looks I can’t choose!
Our last day in Fiji and Sonny got to do the one thing he loves more than taking photos – go for a surf. With fellow surfer Ben, designer from Hani Haring, they took a boat to Frigates and spent the day on the waves.
I took the quieter approach and snorkelled off the beach at the Shangri-La (my favourite home away from home). As I explored the underwater worlds, the silence only broken by the blissful chatter of the reef, I had a chance to muse over the last few days. As the thousands of stunningly colourful and patterned fish swam around me, I was reminded of the colour and patterns I had seen backstage and it dawned on me…
With inspiration like that, it’s no wonder Fiji has a great future in fashion!
Special thanks to Fiji Airways, Ellen Whippy-Knight and all of the sponsors of Fiji Fashion Week 2015.
Jacqui Turner."
The most viewed blog post on my blog are about Tomlus. Every day I have hits to those posts and since I first wrote them, you now have to book or queue to eat there. I really hope I can still get a table after giving them a mention in Fiji Times!!
I do have a few more great things to share about my Fiji trip, but since it came after WA (like straight after, like the next morning), I will have a chat about WA first....
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