Tough love, Samson’s strength

LICE MOVONO

ENTREPRENEURSHIP came easy because as a child Samson Lee learned early that every part of the business process costs something.

While growing up in Nadi, Samson was the youngest of four children and so he was always trying new things and pushing boundaries but while his parents were very supportive, they charged him for everything of theirs the now leading fashion designer would use to earn money.

Now the owner of a highly successful boutique situated in Butt Street in Suva, frequented by some of the country’s leading men and women, Samson said tough love set him well for business success.

“They would charge me for using their gas when I would make chocolate chip cookies or charge me for the cost of fuel when taking me to the shop to buy ingredients. It was a hard lesson to learn as a teenager, but as an entrepreneur, those lessons have become invaluable,” Samson said.

“It was those early lessons that taught me how to budget and how to take everything into account when running a business.”

After leaving secondary school, Samson acquired a degree in social work at the Brigham Young University Hawaii and worked in that space for a few years before turning my attention to fashion.

“Fashion has always been an extension of my personality. Losing my sister to cancer was a pivotal moment in my life; it’s when I realized that life was too short and I should pursue my dreams.”

“I followed my passion and launched my fashion label “Samson Lee Fiji” in 2015. As an emerging designer, I harnessed the power of online advertising and social media to carve out a niche for myself on the Fiji fashion scene.”
Inspired by what he describes as the “rich melting pot of traditional motifs across the Fijian cultural landscape and endemic marine life,” Samson has since 2015 took the fashion world by storm creating a niche market in a sector of fashion that was already quite saturated and became a leader in the market.

“Since launching my brand 5 years ago, I am proud to boast a popular boutique in the heart of the Suva business district that compliments my online clientele and also allows other designers to promote their clothing range.”

What sets the Suva designer apart is his use of mixed media and the performance arts to push his brand. In a short five years, he has staged some of the most creative and well attended fashion events in the country, starting with intimate events within the Suva night scene.

The stand alone shows have somewhat kept attention on his garments during the COVID19 pandemic and downtime that many others have struggled with and in the process he has been able to maintain exports to Australia and New Zealand.

One such show was the Wearing Fiji Project, an event he staged with social media expert Neisau Tuidraki who looked after the Fiji Fashion Week brand for a couple of years.

“WF is a local initiative aimed at creating spaces to exchange fashion knowledge such as mentoring for emerging & student designers, and capacity building for established designers.”

Events like WF has kept the Samson Lee brand prominent in a customer base that is already quite wide.

“SL Fiji is a brand that caters to South Pacific women who come in all shapes and sizes. We are acutely aware that our women are not built the same way as women overseas; some may have wider hips, while others may have smaller waists.”

“Which is why my goal is to have a range that caters to all, while also providing tailor made clothes to my clients upon request. My collection is, and has always been, for everyone; I always strive to be inclusive.

Samson at Fiji Fashion Week

A first timer at Fiji Fashion Week, Samson Lee is excited about his own debut on the FJFW platform but his favourite part of this weekends FJFW Resort Luxe show is he said the emerging designers who have been upgraded to the show normally kept for established designers.

“Seeing emerging designers has always been my favorite part of FJFW! Seeing their different pieces and their fresh perspective always sets the bar for the rest of the fashion industry.”

So what does a leading designer, atelier to some of Fiji’s leading fashion forward women wear to stay relevant in fashion

“I think fashionable sunglasses and a light throw to cover a swimsuit never goes out of style. With that being said, I’ve seen the new round towels trending lately online. But this is Fiji, we tend to make our own trends.”

Watch Samson Lee Fiji at the FJFW Palmolive Resort Luxe Show at The Hilton Resort & Spa on Saturday November 28 at 5pm.