"1st Utah Pacific Fashion Show Celebrates Exquisite Designs from Oceania and Beyond"
The First Utah Pacific Fashion Show Shines Spotlight on Pacific Islander Creatives
chandni
In a groundbreaking event at Fairpark, Salt Lake City, a magnificent tapa cloth provided the backdrop as more than 120 models graced the runway on Saturday night. The show, a sold-out affair, featured an array of striking designs created by 18 emerging and established designers hailing from Utah, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, and other Pacific regions. What made this event truly unique was that it was 100% produced by Pacific Islanders, aiming to bridge cultural connections for generations living away from their island roots.
Utah Pacific Fashion co-founder, Benjamin Powell, emphasized the need to showcase the immense talent of Pacific Islander creatives in the state. He saw the event as a way to raise cultural awareness and highlight the vibrant creative world within Pacific Islander culture, fostering the idea that art can be a sustainable career path.
One designer, Regan Pilimai, who has roots in Samoa and Hawaii, used her brand Ku'ulei Shop to blend her Polynesian heritage with her passion for fashion. She repurposed vintage tablecloths into traditional Hawaiian and Samoan silhouettes, aiming to bring a sense of connectedness to those who might feel disconnected from their roots while living in Utah.
The Utah Pacific Fashion Show also presented an excellent opportunity for international designers to enter the Utah and U.S. markets. For Agnes Loheni, co-owner of the fashion brand MENA, the event opened new doors to potential customers and wholesalers, signaling a promising market expansion. Similarly, Fijian designer Epeli Tuibeqa's brand KuiViti focused on climate change and the plight of Pacific Islanders. He saw the show as a platform to raise awareness and unite the Pacific community to work together for change.
While the future of Utah Pacific fashion remains uncertain, Benjamin Powell envisions the possibility of exploring various avenues beyond just fashion shows. Ideas of incorporating wellness, beauty, and personal development are being considered to take the initiative to greater heights. The event's success has sown the seeds for future growth and endeavors that can further uplift and promote Pacific Islander culture and creativity in Utah and beyond.
