By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti
In the heart of Suva, where tradition and modernity often meet, fashion designer Temesia Tuicaumia is on a mission: to help Fijian men rediscover the strength in their roots—and wear it with pride.
What began as an attempt to fill a gap in the local fashion market, quickly became a personal journey of identity and cultural revival. For Tuicaumia, fashion began as a hobby, but quickly became more than just about fabric and fit; it became a way to reclaim history, honour lineage, and challenge contemporary
norms about masculinity.
“I remember as a boy watching men like Roko Viliame [Vuetasau] dress with such elegance,” he says, recalling the crisp sulu vakataga, knee-length socks, and military sandals worn by the leader. “They had this commanding presence and an elegance that demands to be noticed without them trying, a true epitome of Fijian leader.”
That image stayed with him. Today, Tuicaumia’s wardrobe is filled with more sulus than pants—a conscious statement.
Through his designs, he pays homage to figures like Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara—men whose dignified presence shaped Fiji’s past and continue to influence its future.
But Tuicaumia isn’t simply replicating the past; he’s reshaping it. Drawing from pre-colonial Fijian fashion and infusing it with modern tailoring, his collections bring back the strength and confidence once embodied by iTaukei men. “We were warriors,” he says. “But somewhere along the way, we lost that confidence in our dress. I want to bring it back.”
In traditional attire like the salusalu worn across one shoulder, Tuicaumia sees a forgotten power. “Today, men only wear that style during performances,” he says. “But when worn with pride and intention, it’s incredibly masculine. My designs aim to revive that warrior spirit.”
His creative process is deeply introspective. Growing up, his parents often shielded him from cultural functions and solis, preferring to instill more western ideals. As he matured, Temesia had to learn how to navigate both worlds—honoring communal responsibilities without losing financial autonomy. “It’s about
balance,” he says. “Fashion helped me find that.”
Connecting with his roots became more than aesthetic—it was political, personal. “In Lau, many wear a mat around their waist. But in my village of Matuku, we don’t,” he explains. “I learned it’s because we weren’t conquered by Ma‘afu. That history gave me pride. I wear that knowledge like an armour.”
His name, too, carries weight. Temesia, a male version of Teresia, is a name bestowed by a specific group in Serua. “Names are powerful,” he says. “That’s why I tell emerging designers—make sure your brand represents you. Your identity is your brand.”
Representation, to him, isn’t optional—it’s essential. “We teach our kids about Western history and idioms like “Rome wasn’t built in one day,” he says with a smile, “but what does Rome have to do with us? We need to teach them about our own backyard.”
That philosophy threads through his collaborations and motifs. Working with Mawi Designs and developing his own abstract motifs, Temesia draws on generational symbols—dots for continuity, lines for lineage, and triangles for the mountains climbed by his ancestors. “These designs are not random. They’re stories in thread.”
Earlier in his career, his collections burst with vibrant colors and prints. But experience taught him context matters. “I wore a bula shirt to a conference once, and someone asked if I was on holiday,” he recalls. “That’s when I realised—how you present yourself matters.”
His aesthetic has since evolved: clean lines, solid colors, custom tailoring—sophisticated and purposeful. It aligns with the public and private sector clientele he now serves—ministers, business leaders, lawyers—even the President of Fiji. With garments starting at FJ$400, his pieces are investments. Still, he dreams of accessible fashion. “I envision in the future working on a ready-to-wear line—something beautiful, affordable, and still true to our roots.
“An outlet like when you go to Walmart, H&M, where everything is placed in the right season and accompanied by advice on appropriate styles that compliments the occasion,” Tuicaumia
said.
Beyond design, Tuicaumia is building the ecosystem that will sustain Pacific fashion. As a consultant, influencer, and educator, he’s helping bridge international fashion education with local institutions. He’s currently collaborating with Edessa Fashion School in the US to bring fashion design and garment production courses to the Fiji National University.
“This isn’t just about designers,” he says. “It’s about pattern makers, tailors, textile workers—everyone in the supply chain. We need a full industry, not just talent.”
His work has taken him to PNG Fashion Week and Russia Fashion Week, and his reputation as one of the Pacific’s most exciting menswear designers is spreading fast. But his mission remains rooted at home—redefining what it means to be a Fijian man in the 21st century.
“Fashion can be a tool for identity, for pride,” he says. “And if our men can wear that with confidence, then we’ve already won.”
Temesia will be showing at this weekend’s Fiji Fashion Week.
