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By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Traditional Fijian motifs and designs have long inspired local fabric and clothing designers, but few are working with these designs with as much elegance as Su Samuels of LavaLani Designs. Masi (tapa) designs are an important cultural form of expression, holding significant meanings that can be read and understood as stories. At […]

By Prerna Priyanka Arriving at the Nama Fiji warehouse in Nadi is like entering a sanctuary for the preservation of natural beauty and community wellbeing. The reception and shopping area is an open, airy space, thoughtfully designed to highlight the beauty and simplicity of Nama Fiji’s products. From cleansing gels to facial serums, all items […]

The Suva foreshore is abuzz with excitement as the site of the MSME Festive Market this week.  The three-day event is co-organised by the MSME Council, Knox Entertainment, and the ROC Market, with 76 local businesses participating.  Ellana Kalounisiga of Knox Entertainment, says the aim for the event is to “enable vendors to earn income […]

By Kite Pareti The familiar sight of bouncing castles, amusement rides, and mouthwatering barbeque drew hundreds of people to the Suva Foreshore this month as the long-awaited Miss Hibiscus Festival made a successful comeback after a hiatus of five years. Fijian Horticulturist, Viti Beaula, said this year’s festival was “the best”. Beaula and a few […]

Suva’s longest running business incubator is a fun day out By Samantha Magick Visit downtown Suva on the third Sunday of every month and you will find three vibrant streets full of local products, food and music. The ROC Market is an institution in the capital, growing from nine tents in Foster Street when it […]

Home to more than 600 waterfalls By Andhy Blake Ambrosial and beautiful, Taveuni has long been known as Fiji’s ‘Garden Island’. And it is true that Taveuni’s lush tropical flora is breathtaking and one of the first things you notice as you descend into Matei airport. But it is not until you finally land that […]

By Vittoria Pasca One of the highlights of a trip to Suva is the tour of its central market, where you’ll be able to enjoy some local goodies, have a chat with the vendors and get an authentic experience of everyday life in Fiji’s capital. The market is located a walking distance from Suva’s main […]

Hold this, roll this, sit here and blow slowly. If you are a fan of ‘Blown Away’, Netflix’s strangely compelling competitive glass blowing show, you may have thought, ‘That looks like fun, I’d like to try that.’ The onscreen glass artists, and the in-real-life glassblowers at Hot Glass Fiji in Korotogo make it look deceptively […]

By Kite Pareti Fijian warriors holding tiki torches and performing meke dances at night are some of Sandy Lyons’ best memories of the Arts Village. “I grew up in the Arts Village in its heyday, and there was such a good vibe. My parents had a shop here, and my primary school was located here […]

Surf’s UpThe elite World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is back in Fiji. The grand event will see the top surfers in the world return to Cloudbreak, a well-known spot for perfect waves near Tavarua Island. It will be the last event to help decide the WSL Final 5, ahead of the one-day WSL Finals […]

By Ben Wheeler Sitting in the darkness at the final night of the Fiji Fashion Week, having already seen several designers parade their collections up, down, and all around the catwalk, I take a moment… I am enjoying this far more than I thought I would. Perhaps I am now a Fashionista? It would certainly […]

The Rise Beyond the Reef story By Ariela Zibiah Salanieta Utobota, and her husband can plan for their children to attend boarding schools and complete university education confidently, while sitting in their Bukuya home in the highlands of western Viti Levu. That they are able to plan for all four children’s education without having to […]

By Samantha Magick As the daughter of an international public servant, Sonam Sapra has lived all over the world. That nomadic, rich lifestyle is reflected in her latest fabric collection, titled ‘Worldly’, which takes ornamentation from many of the countries she has lived in and reimagines them in a new way. “When you see it […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti During the hottest months in Fiji, sometimes all you want to eat is something cool and sweet. Tasty Island Treats Fiji can satisfy that craving and help you revisit the simple childhood joy of enjoying an iced popsicle. Tasty Island Treats Fiji was founded by Nakita Irvin, who was inspired by her […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Jack Isaac Junior’s woodcarving skill is an inherent talent that is shared by his clan, and their relationship with Jack’s of Fiji is an extraordinary one that has lasted generations.  “My grandfather and father used to sell their carvings at Jack’s Handicraft back when it was just a small shop,” Junior recalls.  […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Entering Sigavou Studios is a surprising experience. Located in a light industrial area in Nadi, a beautiful mural outside hints at what is to come. The steps you ascend relay a motivational message, and when you get to the top, you are greeted with an explosion of colours. The founder, Maria Rova, […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti The Makete Fashion Show promises to be a night filled with culture, art, and talent, showcasing the incredible local talent to be found in Suva. Creative coordinator and Assistant Director of the Pacifique Artisans Collective, Shakira Ah-Koy Mcdonald, is continuing the legacy of the women in her family by encouraging and promoting […]

By Kite Pareti An elegant masi wedding dress hangs high on a frangipani tree for visitors to see. The designer, Asinate Bale, who hails from Nabasovi village in Koro island, says she has been pursuing her passion for five years. “I usually purchase my masi from Suva and I make clothes out of it like […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Fashion designer and artist, Epeli Tuibeqa knows how to make an entrance. Before the start of his runway show, he performs an opening dance–the elegant flow of his hands mesmerising – before he takes a bow and gives a cheeky grin to the crowd, making way for his models. The KuiViti designer […]

The Pacifique Artisans Collective is Suva’s newest business incubator that “allows an equal playing field for emerging designers and accessory makers,” says Shakira Macdonald. It is located at the Suva Flea Market, a popular space for small businesses since 1995, which has recently undergone a facelift and upgrade. The PAC houses unique clothing lines such […]

By Kite Pareti The Projects Collective recently opened a new store on Narewa Road, on the way to Denarau. Joining the original outlet at The Beachouse on the Coral Coast, it’s a lovely cool space full of delicate jewellery by makers such as Fonu and Hanalei, the striking textiles of Rise Beyond the Reef, and […]

Fijian polyglot, Paea Nawaqatabu is looking to publish a new Japanese language book for Pacific Islanders. Learning a new language can be quite a task, so the 27-year-old college student wants to ease the load by making a short, introductory guide. “As an islander, I struggled learning (Japanese) the first time because I wasn’t a […]

The opening of Toorak Central in an historic part of Suva has bought fresh attention to the changing neighbourhood. Once known as the place to procure after-midnight longnecks and steak and egg (or curry and cassava) fry-ups from the infamous Sunia Cama’s, it is now attracting a new style of retailer. Bordered by the Colonial […]

A new market is operating in Taveuni, the Taveuni Dateline Handicraft Market. Established by Susanne Neli and her family, with support from the Taveuni Tourism Association (TTA), it is located at the International Dateline in Waiyevo. The new market will initially be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with plans to extend business hours in time. The […]