The guys over at Failed Paradise have ninja eyes like me 
They recently blogged about how the props department for Star Wars used wooden Fijian war clubs to make weapons for one of its characters.
Gaderffii or gaffi stick used by the Tusken Raider from Star Wars and a Fijian war club, ‘Totokia’
via Failed Paradise
who: Mario Basilio, Store Manager for Va Bene, an Italian wine and gourmet store in Suva
affiliations: Rotuma/Fiji
fan: Handmade woven dried coconut leaves fan by my mother is my identity accessory.
home decor: This art piece mirror by George Evans of Smashing Art Fiji was a house warming gift. I love the fact that he glues the broken mirror on the edges as deco. He never reveals to me the secret of how he does that. So it’s like a mystery mirror.
jewellery: I had my ear pierced in Sydney about four years ago and its one of those ear holes where you have to stretch so it took me awhile to get the size I wanted. The earring was a gift. The piece is a handmade black coral, oblong in shape with an open end.
clothes: I love bright and loud personality in clothes. The AX Armani Exchange pink cashmere sweater was a gift from Samson Lee to compliment my personality. The scarf was a thrift store find here in Suva – also by AX Armani Exchange. I love it because of the mixture of colours and print, and also the fine detailed ruffles on the edge.
Vale ni style means ‘house of style’ in Fijian. This Urban Viti column features stylish Pasifika guests who give us a glimpse into their closets and homes. Check out more vale ni style’s here.
I received my Darwin’s Pasifika 2012 Calendar in the mail last week from Julia and was going to post a photo of the calendar hanging on my wall at work on Urban Viti’s Facebook page. But after taking photos of the calendar and of my desk, I thought I’d devote a whole blog post about my colourful desk.
One wall is full of postcards and exhibition flyers, mostly thanks to Ema Tavola and Fresh Gallery Otara. Bottom L-R: Andy Warhol style photobooth photo of myself and postcard from Andy Warhol exhibition at GoMa; Close-up of Jumping Castle War Memorial by Brook Andrew; Close-up of Postcard of Unsettled Earth Pylon City (2006) by Ema Tavola; Fresh Gallery Otara exhibition flyer from 23 Jan- 14 Feb 2009.
Suva City till infinity! I made the Suva City canvas print from Chinese paper cut alphabets; Feathers – I collect them as I find them on my walks to and from work; I collected the elephants by chance. The silver one is a tea leaf strainer I bought, the littlel red one I found on the ground one morning on my way to work and the bigger Indian looking one I got from the Victoria Park Market in Auckland – one of the store holders gave it away for free; The Māori waka (canoe) I got from Auckland.
Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar | $AU29.99
February : “Skin deep – the marks of my identity run through to the womb”
who: Neisau Tuidraki, Freelance Communications Specialist/Blogger
affiliations: Fiji
clothes: Being plus size in Fiji makes it hard to shop but having said that Fiji is also the best place to get unique pieces done because there are tailors galore here. The trick is to find a tailor that actually knows how to sew. My husband is from the Cook Islands, so I get a steady supply of beautiful Cook Island prints. My latest piece is a versatile tube dress that can be worn as one – shouldered or off the shoulder. I incorporated some lovely blue Cook Island prints on the frills. It’s super comfy and I love the frills.
jewellery: I am an accessories person. Earrings and rings specifically, I have jewellery boxes full of the stuff. But my absolute favourite piece is my mother of pearl ring that was hand made by a French jeweller that was based here in Fiji some time ago. It was love at first sight for me, the odd shape and beautiful silver spoke to me. I bought it 10 years ago and I wear it with everything.
The blue swirl earrings I bought for $10 from the jewellery cart across from Vodafone at MHCC. As you can see, blue is my fave colour. I try to work it to my wardrobe somehow. A good pair of earrings is the easiest and cheapest way to glam an outfit, they’re a great way to spotlight my eyes and face. I love huge disc earrings, they are my signature style and when I saw this pair, I was hooked.
Vale ni style means ‘house of style’ in Fijian. This Urban Viti column features stylish Pasifika guests who give us a glimpse into their closets and homes. Check out more vale ni style’s here.
Maketi Ples – from the Samoan word for ‘market’ and the Tokpisin word for ‘place’ – is an exhibition and marketplace featuring the fine works of Pacific Islands artists and artisans.
Hosted by Pacific Islands Trade & Invest, Maketi Ples opens 22 February at the Global Gallery in Paddington, Sydney (Australia).
The opening exhibition will feature contemporary Pacific islands fine art and artisan works in a variety of mediums from the Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.
Some of the artists featured:
Agnes Posanai-Tarebo from Papua New Guinea
with tapa Cloth and tapa products
Visual artist Kay George from the Cook Islands
Bilum weaver extraordinaire, Florence Jaukae Kamel from Papua New Guinea
Head over to the Maketi Ples website (http://www.maketiples.com/) and check out the other artists/artisans. They also have a Facebook Event Page here.
Open from 10am – 6pm.
Special Events :
Wednesday, 22 February 2012. 6 – 8 pm
Preview Event & Opening of Maketi Ples 2012
Thursday, 23 February 2012. 6 – 8 pm
Private Function – Women Chiefs of Enterprise International and launch of Statement Journeys
Saturday, 25 February 2012. 1pm– 4 pm
Artists Talks :
Kay George – Visual Artist, Cook Islands
John Maileseni – Weaver, Kingdom of Tonga
Tessa Miller – Visual Artist, Fiji Islands
Martin Morububuna – Visual Artist, Papua New Guinea (tbc)
Peter Leo Ella – Visual Artist, Papua New Guinea (tbc)
Festival of Pacific Arts – Solomon Islands artists (tbc)
Maketi Ples 2011Source and images via Maketi Ples
who: Andrew Douglas, Contributing writer for Macaulay & Maestro (www.macandmae.com); Studying Fashion Design at The Auckland University of Technology
affiliations: Papua New Guinea/New Zealand
bag: Being from Papua New Guinea, I have an affinity with bilums. Bilums are hand-made string bags from Papua New Guinea that have so many uses, from carrying babies to kumara and coconuts. This particular one was given to me as a gift from my bubu (grand-mother) and is quite modern with a much longer handle. It’s made from synthetic wool which is different to the traditional bilums. I really love the contrast between the grey marl and fluro green.
diy: One of the greatest joys in my life is attending music festivals and concerts. I also see it as an opportunity to get rather creative with my outfits. In 2011, M.I.A. was performing at Big Day Out and being such a huge fan I had to wear something that was inspired by her. She released the song XXXO that year which was how I came about with the design for this t-shirt. I wanted something bright and colorful that would stand out in the Boiler Room where she performed so I splattered fluro fabric paint on it, Jackson Pollock style.
shoes: My favourite shoes are definitely my black tobe high-tops which I have had for over three years. tobe is a New Zealand brand from Wellington and the shoes are hand-made from Whanganui leather. They’re so comfortable and versatile as they can be worn as high or low top shoes. I love wearing them with a great pair of skinnies either tucked into the shoes or over the tops.
Vale ni style means ‘house of style’ in Fijian. This Urban Viti column features stylish Pasifika guests who give us a glimpse into their closets and homes. Check out more vale ni style’s here.
Vale ni style means ‘house of style’ in Fijian.
Inspired by Oh Joy’s Closet & Casa column, this new Urban Viti post series will feature stylish Pasifika guests who will give us a glimpse into their closets and homes.
Stay tuned for the first vale ni style with a fashion design student who is also a contributing writer for a New Zealand online magazine.
In the meantime, have a look at my previous blog post Pasifika styles | Mustard + tapa, which features my tapa shoes and Hawaiian pua styled mustard skirt in the above photo.
I’m loving these hand-woven leather pillows from LanceWoven. Don’t they look like woven pandanus mats! Loving the colour combinations and names as well – the one above on the right is called British Invasion Pomegrante!
LanceWoven leather pillows : Hudson-Princess; Normandy-Tahiti; Watercolor-Sky; Bling bling-Bronze; The Hadley-Storm; Hudson-Luggage
In August 2011 performance artist Shigeyuki Kihara travelled to Germany with the support of the Visitor’s program from the Goethe-Institut to investigate museum archives held across Germany to research materials related to the German administration of Samoa from 1900 till 1914.
Kihara’s presentation accompanied by a power point presentation traces the historical footprints of several groups of Samoans including men, women and small children who travelled and toured extensively across cities in Germany including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne where they were exhibited in a zoo – a practise commonly known as ‘Völkerschau’ a popular form of exotic entertainment and colonial theatre at the time.
The title of the presentation Culture for Sale is the same title of a live public performance and multimedia installation conceived by Kihara staged during the Sydney Festival in January 2012. You can see photos from the performance here on the Edge of Elsewhere blog.
Conceptually informed by the Samoan participation in the ‘Völkerschauen’, Culture for Sale explores the close relationship between performance, identity, power and money.
The presentation will discuss how Samoan identity as ‘the other’ was contextualised under German colonialism, and whether the surrounding ideas of ‘the other’ continues to resonate in the daily lives of Samoan people in the so called ‘post-colonial’ era in the wake of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Samoa in June 2012.
When: Sunday 19 February, 2012. 2pm
Duration: 45 minute talk and 15 minute Q & A
Where: PATAKA Museum of Arts and Cultures
Cnr Parumoana & Norrie Street
Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
http://shigeyukikihara.wordpress.com/
Source and image: Pataka
South Auckland Poest Collective are a group Pacific Island and Maori poets, writers and performers from around South Auckland.
A spoken words event, The Anatomy of Poetry will explore gender and relationships as they discuss their experiences, opinions and questions on these topics.
All proceeds from this event will go towards the last 3 flights needed to realise their dream of attending The Brave New Voices Conference 2012 in San Francisco.
If you can’t attend, I’m sure they’ll be happy to receive a donation.
When: Thursday 23 February, 2011 | 7:30pm
Where: Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Corner Orly Ave and Bader Drive, Mangere Town Centre
Auckland, New Zealand
Tickets cost: $NZ15.00
For tickets contact:
Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Phone: 09 262 5789
Email: mangereartscentre@manukau.govt.nz
The Anatomy of Poetry is part of the Pacific Finge 2012.
South Auckland Poets Collective website: http://sapcnz.homestead.com
The Anatomy of Poetry Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/349939965025911/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SthAkPoetsCollective/feed
Email: sapc@hotmail.co.nz
Source and image via The Anatomy of Poetry Facebook Event Page
Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar | $AU29.99 (excludes postage)
Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of Darwin – with images crossing all cultures touched by PASIFIKA through dance.
The calendar was created by Julia Gray of Sunameke in collaboration with Hair by Renee Lalor and Lash to Lash.
Artistic grants are few and far between with very little funding for regional cultural dance. The sale of Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar is funding Sunameke’s little Sunameke Group to attend workshops in Tahiti, to learn traditional Tahitian dance.
Sunameke are a performance group based in Darwin that was formed in 1997 by two sets of Australian based Papua New Guinea sisters: Julia Mage’au Gray & Yolanda Gray and Katrina Sonter & Samantha Sonter.
Sunameke’s performances are a combination of traditional and contemporary that is distinctively Oceania.
“I can’t create any of my work unless I have a strong traditional grounding of whatever I’m using from that dance style. The PNG stuff, we were brought up with it. But I’ve always been attracted to ‘Ori Tahiti’ or Tahitian dancing and, you know, it’s the same with Samoa and all of those things, you have to go to the places, find out what the people are like. That will tell you why they move the way they move.” ~ Julia Gray [Interview with Mosca Media]
I interviewed the lovely Julia back in August last year for Urban Viti’s Talanoa column. Check out the interview here.
Photos by Julia Gray for Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar photo shoot
Darwin Pasifika on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarwinsPASIFIKAcalendar
Photos from Darwin’s PASIFIKA 2012 Calendar by Julia Gray on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunameke/sets/72157628774533843/with/6659143829/
Sunameke: www.sunameke.com
Sunameke on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/sunameke/82891718284
MoscaMedia Interview | Julia Gray of Sunameke Productions (Darwin): http://www.moscamedia.com.au/2012/01/04/moscamedia-interview-julia-gray-of-sunameke-productions-darwin/
Urban Viti Interview | Talanoa: Julia Mage’au Gray: http://urbanviti.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/talanoa-julia-mage%E2%80%99au-gray-sunameke/
If you recall, I had posted earlier last week my new mustard + tapa combo which featured this gorgeous Aysia-ley mustard skirt from Salt & Light Threads.
Miss Brown Top ($AU59) and Aysia-ley mustard skirt (AU$59) BOTH SOLD OUT | Salt & Light Threads
Brisbane based fashion stylist/designer Jancie Brown is the brains behind the fashion clothing label Salt & Light Threads, which was only launched last year here in Australia.
Of Samoan heritage, Janice is also the owner of Bejanjan Style and is involved in fashion styling/design, hair styling and creative directing services for magazine shoots, model portfolios, celebrity styling, music video clips, commercial advertising, product shoots and personal styling.
Her artistic flare is unique and is differentiated by her individuality, style and Pacific heritage.
I’m excited to talanoa with Janice about how she became a stylist and designer and how her Pacific hertiage influences her work. She also offers some advice for aspiring stylists and designers and gives us a sneak peak at her 2012 collection for Salt & Light Threads!
Pearlynesia Desert Shoot by Bejanjan Style | Creative Director/Head Designer: Janice Brown | Photographer: Jay Romero | Fashion Stylist: Bejanjan Style (Jancie Brown) | Assistant Stylist: Sophie Gilboy | Make Up/Hair: Clementine Designs | Model: La’tecia Thomas | 2011
Rechel Jungle Fever Mermaid gown | $Au400 | Salt & Light Threads
Tell us a little about yourself and how you became a stylist and designer?
I discovered my love for this industry at a very young age, when I had started in high school back in New Zealand it was a journey about identity really. I started to experiment with style and trends and always kept my eye out on what’s hot to trot, and eventually you start to evolve as a fashionista, but in my case I created a lot of my own style.
My mum would buy me clothes that I didn’t like (lol) but I never threw them away. I would look at them and picture in my head what I could do to the garment to add my personal touch to it and when my friends saw it they would say “that is sooo janjan”. Hence the creation of Bejanjan Style. My mum, however, was never impressed with my sudden urge to cut up my jeans and turn them into denim skirts, or recreating my church tops and skirts into a dress for my school discos.
I got into fashion retail at the age of 18 and started to build my experience in the industry, I started off as an in store fashion stylist and started to manage stores for fashion brands in New Zealand and Australia with the hope that one day I would build my own clothing label. I also got into finance and business because I needed the experience and knowledge on how to effectively manage and build my own brand.It’s not enough to just have a passion for your craft as many designers or stylists would assume.
If you want to cut down on your overheads when you are starting off, you not only need to have the creativity to produce the product but also know how to market your brand and product and maintain it. So I guess that’s what all those years working under the guidance of fashion business owners and finance whiz has prepared me for. It’s still early days for my label and still at baby steps,but I’m very optimistic about the future of Salt & Light Threads.
Turqua lace sleeve dress | $Au69 | SOLD OUT | Salt & Light Threads
Donna-K Paradise dress (yellow) | $AU280 ON SALE $AU150 | Salt & Light Threads
What challenges have you faced, and what advice would you have for aspiring Pacific designers?
As always when you venture out on your own especially in the fashion industry it’s always a high risk factor because you don’t know whether your new collection will take off as you project, or whether your target market will warm up to the idea of new styles that you have invested so much of your time and capital in.
So there were many challenges I have faced since the launch of my clothing line, but I fully embraced the difficulties because it really tested my endurance and patience in seeing through any circumstances and I learnt a vital lesson to ensure that my attitude controls my circumstances, because if it doesn’t, then my circumstance will well and truly destroy my attitude. I just really thank God every day for the wisdom; He gives me to persevere through anything.
My advice is, don’t be afraid to dream and to dream BIG!! To have a vision, and pursue it. And the best time to pursue it is NOW! Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity; you have to create your own opportunities. You are not defined by statistics assuming that because you come from a certain background or that your IQ level is below national average that you are voted most unlikely to succeed in life. Everyone has talents and crafts, but the only person that will stop you from developing them, is yourself.
Can you give us a little insight into your creative – how do you first approach a new project?
I do a lot of research. What the trends are, not only in Australia but abroad, things like what celebrities are wearing and what people love to buy from stores in some of my favourite brands, and then I go back to my roots and dig up what has shaped my style. I then start to create a look that separates me from what everyone else is pipelining but keeping in mind with the trends. What I cannot forget about what I do is that, it’s a business also, and the main aim for any business is to accumulate some sort of revenue, but why its more important to me, is because a lot of it I give and invest into others. So sticking to trends without being completely caught up in it, ensures that there’s a constant flow.
Tell us about some of your recent Bejanjan Style projects. What would have been your favourite?
I haven’t started any for 2012 however I had done a lot during 2011. My favorite would have to be the shoot in the Castle I did mid 2011 because I was able to create a unique look that contrasted from the location.
Most people would think princess and fairies when they think about a shoot at a castle, but I wanted to add a bit more edge to it. So I created 3 different looks. All the outfits and the accessories right up to the hair and the head pieces also the creative directing was all a Bejanjan Style idea that was bursting in my head so I had to put it to the lenses best way I could.
Castle Shoot | Creative Drector/Dress Designer: Janice Brown | Styling/ Hair Stylist: Bejanjan Style (Janice Brown) | Photographer: Jay Romero | Make Up Artist: The Beauty Mechanic (Alicia Lovich) | Models: Senita z, Vylita M and Kristi S | 2011
You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that your designs are influenced by your Pacific Island heritage. Tell us a little bit about that.
I was born in Samoa being under the influence of two very important women in my life, my grandmother in which I did not mention in my previous interview and my mother. They both influenced me in their own unique ways.
My grandmother Italia Meleisea Taouma was vibrant and full of life and culture, and taught me the importance of being a teine Samoa. From memory she would create my traditional costumes and head piece and taught me the siva Samoa (traditional Samoan dance) and would watch me perform at school back in Samoa. She was so graceful and elegant and it is because of her I could never forget my beloved Samoa and the strength and ability that a Samoan woman has.
My mother Seiafi Taouma Fatialofa is my rock. I don’t know any other woman like her. Like I always say, she’s my trail blazer in the sense that she really paved the way for me in all aspects of life. She taught me the importance of being a God fearing woman. Her style was quite the opposite of my grandmothers who was always decked out in colour and pattern, my mother kept it simple yet sophisticated and feminine. So they both played a vital role in my life growing up.
Bejanjan Style | Creative Director/Head Designer: Janice Brown | Photographer: Jay Romero | Fashion Stylist: Bejanjan Style (Jancie Brown) | Assistant Stylist: Sophie Gilboy | Hair Stylist: Clementine Designs | Make Up Artist: La’tecia Thomas | Model: Jewlz Holbeck | 2011
Do other art forms or artists in different disciplines inspire or have influenced you and how?
I actually have a love and appreciation of all art forms because I come from a long line of creative beings. My family consists of musicians, film producers/directors, dancers, actors and I guess I branched out into a different art form with fashion.
People who inspire me are the ones who use their art forms to give back where they can. Whether it be, through music, dance, production etc., if you can inspire others and bring hope into their lives through your craft, then you are on my highly favoured list.
Someone who tops this list at the moment and in whom I’ve always been inspired by is Film Producer/Director and Actor – Tyler Perry. Now there is a person who brings his life into his art in the hopes that people walk away from his shows and films feeling challenged and moved by the whole experience! Oh and you can’t forget the full abdominal workout- hysterical!.
If you could collaborate with another designer, stylist or creative person, who would you choose and why?
Oh I feel like a kid at a candy store just trying to narrow down my options of who to choose really. There are so many creative beings that I can only hope I would have the chance to work with.
Someone in the fashion industry I would love to work with is Tyra Banks-She’s ALL fierce and ALL fabulous and is a leading example of inspirational people who use their craft or talents to make a difference in others. She is the epitome of how “beautiful” should be perceived and I’m not just talking about the exterior.
But more on the home front at the moment I would love to collaborate with the Sass and Bide girls and Camilla – Australian Designers. I am loving the feel-good experience of colour dipped in tribal pattern and inspiration. The S&B girls and Camilla have surely come a long way on building their designs on a more international level.
Soli Rainforest Evening Gown | $Au400 | Salt & Light Threads
The Internet has seemingly made it easier for artists, designers, writers and musicians to share their work with the world. You yourself have your own website and fan page on Facebook – do you think the Internet has created possibilities for Pacific artists and should they take advantage of it?
We live in a world that is ever changing and constantly evolving so we need to move with the times. We absolutely need to take advantage of the Internet and utilize the availability that is made to us. I took advantage of the fact that people are frequently taking the comfort of their homes to shop with the ease of letting the fingers do it all.
My product is more available to a wider world when it is online as oppose to it only being limited to where you are physically based and network. I had people on my Facebook page checking out my website from America and UK. So definitely make use of technology to get your art form out there.
What are you currently working on and future goals?
As of late, I have been working on revamping the style of Salt & Light Threads, so I am not releasing anything new until April which will be the one year anniversary since the launch. It will be a lot more refined in terms of design and style. So I’m just reshuffling at the moment. Also a men’s collection towards the end of 2012 in New Zealand, hopefully that all falls into place by September- October.
In the long run I’d like to eventually open up shop fronts and build the brand on a more international level and expand into children’s wear, accessories and shoes, but that’s something I’m looking at from a distance,for now its one step at a time. So in saying that I’m currently completing my degree in business to help me reach these goals, along with a whole lot of faith and like-minded people.It’s going to be a busy year-watch this space!
What’s your fashion tip for 2012?
CONFIDENCE is a must have accessory!! Every season will have different trends- it’s HOW you wear those trends that really separates the failures from the FABULOUS!! Style is not just about the material things you slap on; it’s how you carry yourself within them.
Sneak Peek: Exclusive to Urban Viti. Salt & Light Threads Unreleased design , a hibiscus lei inspired dress with a modern twist to the design and keeping with the trend of colour blocking with the royal blue and red. Cut-out on both sides and one sleeve arm maxi dress. Will be released in April 2012
Janice with her team. Left to right: Models- Vylita M, Jewlz H, Mark Antony Howe, Janice Brown, Model- La’tecia Thomas, A/stylist-Sophie Gilboy
{Salt & Light Threads website is currently being revamped with new designs to be added later on in the year. So do check out the fabulous pieces on sale from the Salt & Light Threads 2011 colleciton. For purchase inquires please email sales@saltandlightthreads.com.au}
Vinaka Janice! Can’t wait to see more of your new collection for 2012.
Salt & Light Thread: http://www.saltandlightthreads.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SALTANDLIGHT.THREADS
Email: sales@saltandlightthreads.com.au
Urban Viti Blog post | Pasifika Styles: mustard + tapa: http://urbanviti.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/pasifika-styles-mustard-tapa/
Interview conducted via email January, 2011. All images courtesy of Janice Brown.
Miss Brown Top and Aysia-ley mustard skirt from Salt & Light Threads
I’m a big fan of mustard, so I almost died and went to heaven when I came across this Hawaiian pua styled mustard skirt…and then died again when I saw the top with its delicate raffle made with Samoan siapo (tapa).
This ensemble is designed by Samoan Brisbane based stylist and designer, Janice Brown. I’m excited to say that Janice will be Urban Viti’s first Talanoa/Interview for 2012!
Check out Salt & Light Threads online here or on Facebook here and do keep an eye out for Janice and I’s talanoa session later next week.
I loved this ensemble so much…that of cause I had to get both.
Skirt: Aysia-ley mustard skirt from Salt & Light Threads Originally $AU59, bought on sale for $AU20. Out of stock | Shoes: Marau from Dahia Shoes $FJD130 | Flax bag from New Zealand | Necklace: Can’t remember where I got it from
Since it’s still summer here in Australia, I teamed up my mustard skirt with a plain black top with short lace sleeves, my lovely tapa shoes from Fiji, brown and black necklace that kind of reminds me of Fijian pottery and a flax bag…oh and not forgetting a red hibiscus in my hair.
My bestie Johanna bought the tapa shoes for me while we were in Fiji last month. The tapa shoes are made in Fiji by Dahia Shoes (#sidenote: I had put up my posters for Diasporadic679 in it’s sister shop, Ronnie’s Shoe Store in Otahuhu). Read about their new Pacific range here and check out their Facebook page here for more styles.
My ninja eyes spotted this framed Fijian tapa in the March/April 2011 issue of Inside Out magazine.
March/April 2011 issue of Inside Out magazine. Image via Table Tonic
I love how the framed tapa complements the 60′s sideboard.
However, Inside Out’s choice of words leaves a bad taste in my mouth - “…while framed tapa clothes add a tribal element…”.
Can we please lose the tribal label already.
Here’s another framed Fijian tapa, which goes well with the stricking tyn (juju hat) from Camaroon. Although I’d lose the wire basket.
Image via Table Tonic
I especially love this Tongan framed tapa. I love how it looks creased and incomplete…cut and torn…it tells a story.
Tongan tapa in white frame. Image via Design Sponge
It’s not hard to miss this huge tapa at the appropriately named Tapa Room at The Providores resturant in London. Note: if you’re in London, don’t rush out now to the Tapa Room…they sadly don’t have a Pacific menu.
Image via Chow and The City
They mistakenly call it a “Rarotongan Tapa”. It looks like Tongan tapa to me. Tapa making in the Cook Islands stopped in the early 1900s, however the last few years have seen a small scale revival.
How do you display your tapa?
This Papua New Guinean blogger from Sea, Sand and Shells framed these beautiful PNG tapas. She currently lives in Kazakhstan, so hanging them on her wall reminds her of home.
The tapa is from her husbands clan. In PNG, each clan/family have their own designs and motifs.
Image via Sea, Sand and Shells
A family friend gave me this Fijian tapa that’s framed on canvas frames. It currently leans against a wall my the sitting room.
I’ve been meaning to hang it above my bed but three years later I still haven’t hang it…and I’m moving soon. So hopefully I’ll get to hang it up in my new place.
Photo by Dulcie Stewart
Self-portraits in front of my framed tapa.
Speaking of displaying tapa, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMa) here in Brisbane recently blogged about the installation of the beautiful Tongan tapa, Ngatu tā’uli, which is part of the Threads: Contemporary Textiles and the Social Fabric exhibition.
The Kulupu Falehanga ‘i Teleiloa – a New Zealand Tonga art based group, made the 22 metre long Tongan ngatu tā’uli which was commisioned by GoMa. I posted photos by Sangeeta Singh, from the handing over ceremony in Auckland here.
Read GoMa’s blog post about the conservation treatment of the ngatu tā’uli here and installation here.
Kulupu Falehanga ‘i Teleiloa | New Zealand/Tonga; est. 2010 | Ngatu tā’uli 2011 | Barkcloth: hiapo (paper mulberry) with koka pigment and black synthetic polymer paint | Commissioned 2011. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery. Photo by Dulcie Stewart.
The Threads: Contemporary Textiles and the Social Fabric exhibition ends 5 February, 2012 and also includes works by artists from Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
I took photos last November at the exhibition and will post them here soon.
I’d love to hear how you display/keep your tapa. Please comment here or send me an email (with photos) to urbanviti@gmail.com
I was browsing the internet and I came across these Pacific influenced covers for iPhones and iPads over at Zazzle. Zazzle is one of those online retailer stores that allows users to upload images and create their own merchandise to sell like clothing, posters etc.
This Samoan tapa iPhone case looks like the real thing…although what’s up with the product name “Samoan tapa surfboard”…
Samoan Tapa Surfboard iPhone 4 Cases $AU54.85. Created by DriveIndustries
Loving this Fijian tapa case. I dream of tapa pin-wheels everyday.
Tapa Case: iPhone $AU49.95. Created by NoKaOiClothingCoDj
Woven mat iPad cover. Again looks so real.
Lauhala Case: ipad $AU59.95. Created by NoKaOiClothingCoDj
And this Samoan influenced iPad cover.
Samoan Tapa Surfboard iPad 1 Cases$AU54.85 Created by DriveIndustries
You can browse through Zazzle to find other Pacific influenced products, just enter words “Fiji”, “Samoa”, “island”, “tapa” etc in the search bar to find them. A lot are a bit hit and miss but these products above are a gem. Happy searching!
Click on the product names below the images (in pink) to view the iPhone and iPad cases on Zazzle.
Talanoa