Page 11 - Fiji Traveller Issue 2

PACIFIQUE ARTISANS COLLECTIVE
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. The Market has recently undergone a
facelift and upgrade.
The PAC houses unique clothing lines such as KuiViti,
Karalina’s Boutique, 8Mountains and Laboriel and Creative Arts
Viti, as well as accessory makers Jekia Jewelry, Marleannas
Scrunchies, and Pawpaw Patch.
Other spaces are planned in the near future. “The next one will
be a culinary and homeware collective. And we also want to open
an artist space for visual arts, photographers and sculptors,” said
Macdonald.
The Suva Flea Market also hosts a monthly bazaar and
occasional craft events, such as masi making courses.
@suvafleamarket

CHASING
WATERFALLS
Taveuni’s beautiful
Tavoro Forest Park, home
to Bouma Falls, has
new facilities including
a boutique and dining
lounge. The new complex
was opened late 2022 and
was jointly funded by the
Fiji government and Tavoro
Forest Park Cooperative.
Young locals helped build
the new amenities.

NEW PROJECTS

The Projects Collective, has opened a new outlet on PATH OF THE SHADES
the road to Denarau. Waking up at the banks of Wai Ni Yalo as a
“We noticed the average traveller only comes to Fiji Shade, a young warrior must make his way to
for five days for their holiday. We want to make sure that the mountains of Nakauvadra, dwelling place
international customers are given an opportunity to see of the gods. There amongst the Kalou Yalo,
our brand and to showcase our artisans where it is a lot the spirits of his ancestors, the Shade will find
closer to where they are,” owner Laura Cahir explains. rest. The journey will not be easy.
The stores sell clothing, beauty and body products, Clarance Dass’ new comic book, ‘Path of
food, crafts, homewares and jewellery from local the Shades’ takes you on a journey with this
artisans, including Rise Beyond the Reef, Dilo Up, warrior. What started off as a research project
Hanaleia and South Seas Salt. Many of these suppliers into the traditional 100 nights mourning rituals
are women-led businesses. is now a beautifully illustrated publication,
The Projects Collective also has a thriving online whicn Dass describes as a “mainly wordless
store. Their original boutique and cafe/bar space is at narrative.”
the Fiji Beachouse on the Coral Coast. It is available at the USP bookshop on
theprojectsfiji.com Laucala campus and online.

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