Local Solomon Islands talent promoted at fashion show
The British High Commission in Solomon Islands hosted the fashion show to promote local talent in the Solomon Islands.
The group of young people who involved in the show as models. Courtesy of BHC.
As London Fashion Week got underway in the UK, the British High Commission in Solomon Islands hosted a fashion show to promote local talent in the Solomon Islands.
Held on Thursday 21 September, five designers took the opportunity to showcase their unique designs to the guests who attended the fashion show at the British High Commissioner’s residence.
First on the catwalk was a combined designers effort by Miss Celia of Orchid Souvenir Shop and Mrs Zanina Vave of Fujita crafts.
Their display included a variety of tie-dyed lava lavas with different ways to wear them in the islands.
Those were then accompanied by handmade bags, fans and hats topped with contemporary jewellery by Fujita crafts with the aim to customise audience taste the island way.
The second catwalk involved a collection of casual beach wear designed by Vae Taylors, owned by Elaine Maepio. She has been a seamstress for over 40 years and has represented Solomon Islands in the Pacific Runway in New Zealand in 2018.
Third on the show was also another collaboration work from Proton Creation and Jaz Jewels – a daughter’s collaboration by Jasmine and Ana together with their mother Frances Do’oro. All designs were produced right out of their Koloae home in Honiara.
Jasmine started her jewellery making recently and has been creating jewellery for all occasions. Frances has been a seamstress for decades and her label Proton creation has been joining the Solomon Fashion week since 2016 and represented Solomon Islands at the Fijian Fashion week twice and the London Fashion Week twice.
Their display included a range of casual, formal and evening wear, a traditional attire and body art.
There was also a special appearance by former Miss Solomon Islands Tema Wickham and the current reigning Miss Solomon Islands, Tiare Haro.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Ms Emma Davis said:
This is an opportunity to celebrate Solomon Islands designers in honour of London Fashion Week. London Fashion Week happens in June and September, both established designers and up and coming designers show their work and each time it is fresh and exciting.
I’m so pleased that we have had five Solomon Islands designers show casing their work and in fact one, Francis Do’oro has herself been involved twice in the London Fashion Week. This British High Commission Solomon Island Fashion Show is a platform of the wonderful work that Solomon Islands designers are doing and their talent and creativity which has wowed the audience. The British High Commission is delighted to host the show and thank you to Miss Solomon Islands and former Miss Solomon Islands for their participation.
Fashion is a global industry and is a representative of UK creativity, innovation, and design. The sector is worth £35bn to the UK and employs one million people.
The UK is the world leader in fashion education, and is home to six of the world’s 20 leading fashion universities, with over 1,500 international students enrolling on British fashion courses every year.
Notable British names globally recognised for their innovative designs included Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Victoria Beckham, Burberry and Stella McCartney.