PASIFIKA DESIGNER PICKS

We've put together our picks on some great Pasifika designers from kids to casual to evening wear from all over the Pacific!

Check them out below & for more Pasifika formal/ball & evening wear designers check out our list here

MISSING POLYNESIA

Designer: Meilin Vitale-Vae

A family owned & operated company based in Honolulu, Missing Polynesia is a stylish reminder of South Pacific culture with a unique take on Polynesian clothing as well as other products like jewellery, hats & home decor items. They also love to create custom designs for customers.

Missing Polynesia website: https://www.missingpolynesia.com/

ISLAND PEPE - PASIFIKA BABY APPAREL

Designers: Masoe & Valikoula families

Modern, trendy and Pasifika-inspired baby apparel which are truly one-of-a-kind and perfect for your little ones! Their goal is to help inspire our children, and parents alike, to preserve the language/culture of our ancestors and share it with the world!

Website: https://www.islandpepe.com/

Island Pepe toddler tees with island phrases

KUIVITI

Designer: Epeli Tuibeqa

KuiViti strives to give you Pacific Fashion inspired by the iTaukei culture of the people of the Fiji Islands. We do outfits for His and Hers be it Ready to Wear, Made To Measure and Masi Bridal.

Authentic Pacific flavour on contemporary international designs

Website: https://kuivitipr.wixsite.com/kuiviti

SUP2 CLOTHING

Designer: Uncle Wax

Your favourite NZ athletes favourite NZ clothing line offering t.shirts, aloha shirts, tank tops & cut off tees for men, women, kids & babies.

You can now walk into the store located on 54 Ponsonby Road.

Sup2 website: https://sup2clothing.com/

FENUA by Freddy

Designer: Freddy Mou

From TAHITI with Love #IAORANA — stylish clothes for VAHINES & TANES who love polynesian/tropical/Tribal patterns [est. 2012]

Facebook: FENUA by Freddy

Instagram: @Fenuabyfreddy

MENA

Designer: Agnes, Jackie, Gina & Charlene Loheni

The four sisters each have their own individual styles that they bring to their collections, but something that they all agree on is that fashion should be 'adventurous, fun and feminine'.

Their vision is to take their slice of paradise to the rest of the world.

Polynesian inspired, contemporary designer wear; Evening dresses, cocktail dresses, Separates, Resort wear.

Mena Website: https://www.menashop.com/

TWINNIES BRAND CLOTHING

The Twinnies Brand Apparel is an extension of the Twinnies Brand's Writing and Books.

"Write the Word, Wear the Word, Be the Word"

All their collections are inspired by words of inspiration encouraging those who wear the Twinnies Apparel to instill and reflect these words in thoughts and in actions.

The 'Faith & Hard Work" Collection are 2 words of inspiration inspired by Osea Kolinisau, the Fijian 7s Olympic Gold Medal Captain.

The Twinnies Apparel endeavours to keep all their collections: inspiring, fun, practical and be shared amongst all family members.

Website: www.twinniesbooksandgoods.com

TAV PACIFIC

Designer: Elena Tavioni

All garments are locally handpainted and handblock printed in Rarotonga Cook Islands.

TAV specialises in Resort wear / Ready-to-wear with an emphasis on prints and designs derived from the natural environment and Polynesian traditions. TAV also tailors swimwear.

Tav Pacific Website: https://thecookislands.com.au/shop/tav-pacific/

EVENI PACIFIC

Carruthers family

One of the leading retailers of fabrics, uniforms, sporting goods and Polynesian inspired apparel. The blending of Polynesian and Samoan motifs under the following brands which are inspired by the expanded family history of the Carruthers family in Samoa.

Eveni Pacific website https://www.evenipacific.com/collections/new-arrivals

SAMSON LEE FIJI

Designer: Samson Lee

The brand hit the market in 2015, concentrating on their online diaspora market and it’s grown from strength to strength. Two years on Lee who has been touted as the new kid on the ‘fashion’ block to watch, has made a splash in the industry with his bold masi motif prints and vivid colour combinations.

Samson Lee Fiji Website: https://www.samsonleefiji.com/

AFA AH LOO

Designer: Afa Ah Loo

A self-taught, self-made fashion designer, originally from Samoa and now based in the USA.

His aesthetic is mostly women’s evening wear and bridal but he also designs resort, urban street wear, and men’s wear.

Facebook: AFA AH LOO

Instagram: @afa.ahloo

FRANCMARIE

Designer: Frankie Lolohea

"Learning to be your true, authentic self in a world where conformity is the mode of acceptance. Be you, Be Brave."

FrancMarie was founded on the talents and dreams of its’ Head Designer Frankie Lolohea, a burgeoning Tongan designer with an eye for design and a desire to introduce a new aesthetic to the world of fashion.

TANOA Clothing Co.

With a variety of clothes made and inspired by our Polynesian people, Tanoa have something for everyone. From casual street wear to formal wedding attire - the range caters to a wide selection of styles for our Pacific communities.

Click here for more details on their Auckland store

MANAOLA HAWAI'I

Designer: Manaola Yap

Inspired by his cultural upbringing as a native Hawaiian hula practitioner, self-taught fashion designer Manaola Yap translates Hawaiian spirituality and Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty into prints that embody repetitious patterns found in nature.

Manaola Website: https://www.manaolahawaii.com/

UP & Coming

LAYPLAN are only on Instagram ( a collaborative project between Lavinia Ilolahia and Talia Betham) and hand make to order if you hit them up on the Gram. They also have pop up stalls now and then at different markets.

Edimo Label is a new swimwear label co-founded by Samoan Eden Vawdrey & Imogen Peek-Swaney - they give you the option to pay in full or up to 6 weekly payments on their website.