A man of two worlds
TEMESIA Tuicaumia is a man of two worlds. From Matuku in Lau, with maternal links to Moala, Tuicaumia is an education specialist with Pacific Nations School. He is also an established fashion designer, inspired by his mum’s own stylistic creations. “Fashion has always been there for me,” said the 30-year-old. “My mum made all her clothes from as early as I can remember. In didn’t take too long before people started recognising Tuicaumia’s fashion sense. “When I was 13, my sketchbook got into the hands of BSP. They saw my sketches, and let me design for Miss BSP (during Hibiscus Festival).” Mr Tuicaumia said designing the wardrobe for the bank’s carnival queen got him recognised and became the launching pad for this career in fashion. By the time he was 18, he was already one of Fiji’s fashion industry designers. But while his career in fashion was well established, he decided he needed to go into mainstream education.
So he left Fiji for Hawaii where he studied at the University of the Nations. It was there that he obtained his bachelor’s degree, majoring in education with a minor in photography and fashion.
He graduated in 2015 and moved back to Fiji when he was only 21 and helped establish the Pacific Nations School in Suva.
“Now I’m 30, so it’s been 10 years since I started work at the school.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuicaumia decided to launch his brand Temesia.Co which features his custom-made men and women’s wear, mostly at the behest of his good friend Samson Lee, the owner of Samson Lee Fiji.
“I’m also with Wearing Fiji that’s been co-founded by Samson Fiji and Neisau Tuidraki.
“We educate the next generation of fashion designers, and this year was our first time to take them to New Zealand under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“Our program is every year. We have a cohort that takes three years. (to complete program).
“So, our students who joined last year, they all went to New Zealand for a week to further their training in fashion and work with the big fashion names in New Zealand.”
One of the challenges Tuicaumia faces is instilling a strong foundation among designers because the fashion industry can be a prideful industry.
He said because the industry required one’s image to be placed on photos, whether in fashion, music or any other creative art, you have to be aware of people observing you.
“Remain humble. I have a really strong faith, you know, for God covers me in situations like that.
“So, I think that I’ve really overcome that challenge, knowing that I’m not there for me but I’m there because God’s called me into fashion and called me into education or whatever platform I have.”
Tuicaumia’s advice to young people is to obtain an education and take opportunities in life when they present themselves.
“Your passion will not give you sustainability, it’s your education.”