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 local talent.
“This concept, Pacifique Artisans Collective, is my mother’s concept, so it is a continuing legacy from grandmother to mother to daughter, and what we hope is that it will act as a business incubator for local creatives in all different industries and areas to encourage entrepreneurship as well as creativity and innovation at the grassroot level,” Mcdonald says.
With the legacy of strong women in her family, it is only fitting that the Makete show is to be held in Suva’s local creative hub and her grandmother’s baby, the Suva Flea Market, a place where some of Suva’s most talented and creative women swarm to sell their work.
“The Makete fashion show is on this Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and it’s basically a culmination of all the talent and creativity that are here in the Suva Flea Market, so we have over 40 small businesses and [have] involved 40 vendors.”
The fashion show will include ten popular brands, including Kuiviti, 8Mountains, Tuwisi, Laboriel, and Style Maya. The Makete Fashion Show will also showcase local jewellery makers, and there will be a pop-up market so guests to view and purchase at their will.
The layout of the Makete Fashion Show runway, which will wind through the container mall, means all guests will have a front-row seat. The ticket price includes drinks and kava, and money from every ticket purchase will be invested back into the local artisans.
“The ticket is going for $100; it gets you into the show, market space, local band Kuki playing at the after party, kava bar, drinks, local delicacies for food, a special menu with local fusion snacks, and as for the fashion show, people can expect things that they haven’t seen before,” Mcdonald says.
The night will also include the opening of a new visual art shop at the market, with Mcdonald saying: “You will see art that hasn’t been seen before by established and emerging artists.”
“It is basically a night to celebrate everything, that is locally made, locally inspired and to showcase the Makete side of the town, showing that we have all the talent, creativity right here on this side of town,” she said.
Venue: Suva Flea Market
Date: 15th July, 2023
Tickets Payment: $100 (available until 14th July)
In Store: EFTPOS and Cash available from Pacifique Artisans Collective, Shop 203, Suva Flea Market
TicketMax: MPaisa, Mastercard, Visa, and MyCash available.
