Fiji Fashion Week’s 2021 Auditions Finale
National auditions for fresh faces in Fiji’s model industry culminated in Suva yesterday, where 30 finalists will soon be selected to represent Fiji Fashion Week.
The audition finale followed two previous model cruitment shows in Suva and Vanua Levu.
“During the initial auditions in March, we learnt that some of them caught the boat from Labasa to be in time for the Suva event,” Fiji Fashion Week spokesperson Lice Movono said.
“That’s where it was decided that we take auditions to the North.
“It was also a means of reaching outside the mainland to give others a chance.
“From what we gathered, the eager finalists want to turn this platform into more than just a chance to model - they use this chance to build on their secondary careers.”
Stepping stone
Fiji Fashion Week said an influx of law students, medical practitioners, and employees of the tourism sector, tried out modelling to boost their self confidence.
“These are people who want to improve upon their personal and interpersonal presentation, and who are fully aware of the basic routine necessities to good hygiene, hydration, and comfort.
“They come prepared with their research on how to carry and cater to themselves. “That for us just cuts our job by half, because we wont have to spend so much time reminding them of what they should and should not do for the sake of their skin. “They are the ones that know smoking is not good for their skin, and drinking is bad for their eyes - which are among principles Fiji Fashion Week instills in their models.” Of the cumulative 200 individuals who turned up to try a hand at modelling, 50 will be selected to take to the runway when Fiji Fashion Week launches its new season at the end of May.
“This year, we kept a particular eye out for transgender and plus-sized models,” Ms Movono said.
“The response in Vanua Levu to either wasn’t as favourable as we anticipated, and perhaps that was owed to the fact that we had to compete with a rugby tournament in the vicinity at the same time.”
A new trend
According to Ms Movono, a new trend has emerged in the fashion industry since the COVID-19 crisis.
“Designers are now having their own standalone shows to make their money, as people are not going to shops anymore,” she said. “Others have inculcated a digital component to their shows where there is a virtual presentation in tandem with the live show.” Entry for designers of the 2021 Fiji Fashion Week season will close early April.
Three of the five shows planned for the weeklong Fiji Fashion Week annual calendars event, have been confirmed.
“Given the challenging year everyone suffered last year through the pandemic, designers will be stepping up this year, along with models of all-inclusive multi-ethnic backgrounds,” Ms Movono said.