8Mountains Goes Green
Designer label wear 8Mountains, of Lautoka, is going green by diversifying into manufacturing reusable items.
The contemporary local fashion label was established in 2009 by siblings Moira Solvalu, John and David Solvalu to showcase Polynesian and Fijian motifs.
Re-usable items
Designer Ms Solvalu said 8Mountains ventured into reusable items because it was affordable for women. “When coronavirus (COVID-19) hit Fiji, 8Mountains had begun the preparations of continuing business as usual despite the threat of slowing down business. “8Mountains decided to go ahead with the green sustainability programme. “COVID-19 has really opened many women’s eyes into looking at other alternatives which are more economically suitable for their budget,” Ms Solvalu said. The Lautoka-based manufacturing arm of 8Mountains makes reusable children and adult diapers, sanitary cloth pads and masks. “We have a group of women working for us who are from squatter settlements in and around the Lautoka area,” Ms Solvalu said.
8Mountains work force is female dominant, where two of its 13 employees are male, she said.
Smart choices
Earlier this year, 8Mountains was nominated a finalist of the 2019 Fiji Development Bank National Small and Medium Enterprise awards - Green catergory.
Through reusable items, 8Mountains is targeting all customers to create awareness on eco-friendly business management.
8Mountains wants customers to make better choices in the way they shop.
Ms Solvalu said the choice boiled down to the type of fabrics used in fashionable items.
“Before COVID-19, we tried to bring down our wastage to 10 centimetres only.
“During COVID-19, we were able to use all fabrics that were leftover to make masks.”
Through such measures, 8Mountains was able to meet its obligation in the green sustainability promise, she said.
Ms Solvalu said COVID-19 gave the business ample time to make reusable items.
Orders can be made on the 8Mountains Facebook page.