Fijian fashion and beauty innovators on our radar

Check out our spotlight in Ensemble Magazine, where our journey and contributions are portrayed. For an insightful look into what drives our mission, click here. Below is a brief overview of our story as shared;

"Shopping can be one of the true joys of travel; a chance to get a sense of somewhere new via local stores, brands or makers. Whether it’s a stall at a local market selling crafts, a small independent boutique or something cool uncovered in the often hit-and-miss resort store, local finds can become a special memento of a holiday. The best finds are usually unplanned – stumbled upon while you’re exploring – but sometimes, it pays to have a bit of guidance.

In Fiji, where the fashion and beauty scene may feel fledgling from the outside but is vibrant and diverse once you scratch beneath the surface, there is lots to discover. When I visited the islands recently, a few local fashion and beauty businesses caught my eye – and worth adding to your list when you head back to the islands.

Rise Beyond the Reef

You may already know of this non-profit from its collaborations with Karen Walker (in December they released a limited range of woven bags; now sold out), but its broader offering and kaupapa is worth supporting – and shopping.  Launched in 2014, Rise Beyond The Reef aims to offer a sustainable solution to Fiji’s poverty – more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line, and close to 80% of the country’s total population lives in rural and remote areas – while providing a pathway to sustainable work for locals.

They describe their goal as creating “meaningful women-led solutions to the climate crisis”, which, at its simplest, means working with rural indigenous women and their families to design and make handmade goods – using screen printing, weaving, carving, dyeing, masi (tapa) barkcloth and more. Whether it’s locally made homeware, fashion or travel accessories, the pieces are also incredibly cool – they have a well-stocked online store, plus a ‘Shed Shop’ that’s open on weekdays in Nadi."