Navin’s dream from beach to fabric
AGAGGLE of children on the beach collecting shells is a common sight in many parts of
Fiji.
Most people have been there, sand between toes, pacing the line between land and sea looking for the prettiest cowrie shell.
Among a group of siblings on a beach in Uciwai in the 1990s, there was a boy who was unknowingly collecting not just shells but the inspirations for the art he would create years later.
Navin Raj, now a popular upand-coming local fashion designer, is known for his cowrie themed line.
When asked he said, “We, the people of the Pacific are able to relate ourselves to the kauri shells either as a kid or adult, and hence the kauri shells were showcased in my first collection.”
“I would say that the kauri print will be my signature style, and this will always occupy a special place in my art as I get recognized by this print and it has been widely accepted,” he added.
A beautiful sentiment, no doubt, but I wanted to know more about the young man’s inspirations, about his bond with nature’s little calcium carbonate works of art.
This is when he told me about those school holiday memories at his grandparents’ home in Uciwai.
“The beach was only a few minutes from my grandparents’ house. I would collect kauri shells to make artifacts that could be used to decorate the house and also just collect or play games with it,” he said.
Incentivising her little ones to be out in nature, Navin’s mother would set them up with little competitions.
“Whoever would collect the most shells will get to have chocolates when we could buy it,” Navin said.
“Mum decided on the chocolate. We siblings collected the shells and we had to ensure that we collected them in different types. I won the most times,” he reminisced.
A young Navin would admire the intricate patterns on the shells as the siblings played a game with their haul.
“It was a game where we would place about 6 shells in the hand, shake it, and all shells needed to fall flat on the floor with the top facing up.”
At the time, perhaps nobody, not even Navin himself could have guessed at how much these simple childhood memories would play into his life and future career’s trajectory.
As a young man seeking to make those decisions about his career, Navin was initially drawn to not pursuing fashion but business school.
Having attained an MBA and a Graduate Diploma in Business and Marketing, Navin began work and excel in the marketing field.
But the arts are a stubborn calling, and in 2022 Navin succumbed to his creative passions.
“My first design was completed in 2022,” he shared.
“I knew what I wanted but how to get this on a fabric and eventually get it made into a complete garment was a challenge.”
“The complete journey from design to getting it on the runaway is challenging because first it’s on paper, then it moves to the fabric and then it has to look good on people wearing it, and you have to consider every step of the way.”
His first design completed, he turned to fellow creative and already successful designer Moira Solvalu of 8 Mountains for help. Recognising his passion and knack for design, Moira helped Navin get his first big break, a Charity Fashion Show in Lautoka in aid of an Epilepsy Fundraiser.
“I had approached her to ask her if she was running any fashion show late last year,” Navin said.
“She invited me to her show, confirmed my application and guided me on how to prepare for the show. This included the fabric choices, looks, models and the number of pieces. She is one of the most
kind-hearted and helpful person I have met, my mentor, and I still ask her questions.”
Navin says his first show was a crazy, hectic experience, and ultimately everything he’d dreamed of. In the chaos of getting every one of his pieces perfected and every model doing his designs justice, Navin proved to himself that he could do this.
As of October 2023, Navin has been designing and feeding his creative urges on the side. His line is now called Pacific Aura and can be found on Facebook under this name.
“I would like to see myself and my brand available more widely in Fiji, around the Pacific and in the USA someday,” Navin shared.
Navin Raj’s mentor is currently helping him put through an application for a major Fashion Show in Fiji and Navin is keeping his fingers crossed that this leads to bigger gigs, more inspiration and exposure, and an endless flow of creative juices.