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

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