Page 31 - IB February 2025

Garment Industry Garment Industry

Pacific Island Arts (PIA) couture dresses, menswear, and wedding gowns that blend
PIA, a subsidiary of Tahiti Art, has made waves in Fiji—since modern fashion with cultural heritage, he incorporates natural
2010 where it now has its manufacturing plant and three materials like shells and feathers, creating breathtaking
outlets—but has been a beloved brand since 1958. With its cultural masterpieces that leave a lasting impression even
roots in French Polynesia, PIA is known for its bright, bold, after the shows.
and beautiful colours, including hand-printed sulus, shirts,
and dresses. PIA’s designs capture the essence of the Pacific— Laisiasa Davetawalu
waves, flora, and fauna—wrapped in vibrant colours. Founder of Elardi Fiji, Davetawalu is a trailblazer known for
intricate designs that fuse Fijian culture and techniques such
TAV Pacific as weaving with international fashion trends. As a Fashion
Ellena Tavioni of the Cook Islands is the artistic creator Design Studio graduate from Australia’s TAFE, he worked for
behind TAV. She brings her family’s artistic tradition into every a period with global Australian brand, Zimmerman. Having
handmade piece. Her process—block printing, painting, and studied and worked in Australia, he says he is glad to be
dip-dyeing—ensures that no two garments are alike. home where he can draw from his culture, ancestors and the
natural beauty of home. Davetawalu says he’s inspired by the
THE YOUNG GUNS mixing of feminine and masculine, and his artistry results in a
Temesia Tuicaumia modern, edgy aesthetic.
A multi-talented entrepreneur, teacher, singer, and
designer, Temesia Tuicaumia is redefining Pacific menswear. THE PATRIARCH
His brand, Temesia.Co, is known for custom suits and the ‘sulu Hupfeld Hoerder
vakataga,’ blending elegance with cultural pride With a career spanning 35 years, Hoerder remains a
cornerstone of Pacific fashion. Known for his signature swirling
William Mabas Bray prints and earthy tones, he creates garments that embody
Winner of PNG Fashion Week’s Designer of the Year, cultural heritage and tell of the wearer’s story. Now based in
William Mabas Bray is PNG’s rising star, a self-taught prodigy Australia where he is studying for his doctorate, Hoerder plans
who started sewing at age eight after being gifted a sewing to expand into Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands.
machine by his grandma. Renowned for his jaw-dropping

Islands Business, February 2025 31