Four Elements by Temesia.Co
Temesia Tuicaumia looks to four key elements of Fijian culture as inspiration for his WFJ21 collection. “This collection is coming out with four prints representing our environment in abstract form, from the vanua (land) to kama (fire) to bula (air) to our waitui (sea)” said Mr Tuicaumia.
He believes in being eco-conscious and has invested in sourcing ethical fabrics that are eco-friendly to the vanua.
“For my vanua print, I have tried to form lines representing the landscapes, valleys, and mountains of the islands in Fiji and the Pacific,” said Mr Tuicaumia.
Mr Tuicaumia who is a devout Christian said a particular Bible verse inspired his Kama print.
“This is why I remind you to fan into flame the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you, is written in 2 Timothy 1:6,” he said.
“The Kama print is inspired by my spiritual influence, the print is a tribute to individuals or warriors in modern-day spheres of market places, government ministries and non-governm ent organisacountry, to stay afloat despite COVID-19 ,” said Mr Tuicaumia
Mr Tuicaumia said the Bula print draws inspiration from life essence, the air and a quote by Zen Shin, “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms’’.
“It’s a the combination of flowers and air, that’s our life essence” said Mr Tuicaumia.
He said the Pacific was coming to be seen as large Ocean states, stewarts of the ocean capable of addressing the world with a voice weighed heavily in authority.
“Our ocean is home to the people living on small Pacific islands.
“They live, love and bring their children into the world, never far from the ocean, my Waitui prints celebrates that,” said Mr Tuicaumia
The Wearing Fiji Show will feature seven designers - Samson Lee, Natalia Larsen, Robert Verebasaga, Atelaite Daunibau, Andrew Powell, Temesia Tuicaumia and Hupfeld Hoerder..
There will also be a student designer capsule collection featuring 13 student designers.
The show will be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel on May 1. Tickets are available at the Wearing Fiji Boutique on Butt Street, Suva.