Common targets for young designers
THEY both debuted at Fiji Fashion Week during the most difficult times in the history of the 15-year event, but Cecilia Fong and Harsha Harsmeetal have a serious commitment in common.
Published in The Fiji Times April 19, 2022
THEY both debuted at Fiji Fashion Week during the most difficult times in the history of the 15-year event, but Cecilia Fong and Harsha Harsmeetal have a serious commitment in common.
Both single women are also hugely talented, and each knows that a focus on the business end of fashion will provide longevity in their creative arts career.
Sigatoka based Harsha is 28 and debuted at FJFW in its virtual show in 2021, so she is in a sense trying the runway for the first time.
With a business degree from the University of the South Pacific, experience working in finance and a recording music career under her belt, Harsha’s debut ‘Kalpanik’ line last year caught many an approving eye.
Even before FJFW x Palmolive 2021, Harsha’s work was attracting customers who needed evening wear or day wear for parties and events. Inspired by celebrity culture and other fashion shows, Harsha was intentional about producing stand out outfits for men and women above the age of 15.
She came into FJFW hoping the diverse talent pool and intern brand recognition would provide the launching pad she needed.
“I do this out of passion and a love for fashion. I love creating, I love runway shows and it is my dream job when I was in primary school. I love the diversity and mix of colours in every outfit,” she said.
While she retailed most of her work on her Facebook page the Sigatoka designer knows a physical show is a different ball game.
“No COVID restrictions is one of the best things so far, so there’s an expectation for a massive audience.”
Catch Harsha at the Resort Cruise show on Friday, May 27 of FJFWxPalmolive.
Cecilia Marian Fong is of Chinese and Oneata, Lau ancestry.
Trading as Portulina, Cecilia spent her childhood in American Samoa and so she is greatly inspired by Polynesian cultural art.
“Well, I’ve always loved Pacific fashion. When I was in college back in American Samoa, I would do design as a hobby for my friends and I. We would have little banquets at college, it was usually the perfect opportunity to design an outfit for my friends and I.”
After moving back to Fiji, Cecilia’s hobby became a viable business opportunity, as she is already attracting a following.
The value of social media and networking with influencers to get brand recognition is something else Cecilia has since placed priority on.
She’s realised that FJFW means going well beyond bringing out a product.
“I think marketing is one of the most important things when you’re an emerging designer and you are trying to get your brand out there to people. Whether you market it through another social media page or your friends do the marketing for you with a shoutout to your page, you must have a marketing strategy. I’m just slowly learning.”
Catch Cecilia at the Resort Cruise show on Friday, May 27 of FJFWx Palmolive 2022.
