Online fashion fans in Suva raised more than $5000 for Fiji’s flood victims by auctioning nearly 25 designs yesterday afternoon.
Fiji Fashion Flood Appeal Programme event coordinator Nazia Ali said the whole event was decided after hearing about the survivors of the flash floods particularly in the Western and the Northern divisions.
“It was during the flooding that we friends started commenting on ‘Facebook’ (a social networking internet site) about the devastation in the affected areas,” Ali said.
“I had online friends who were designers so it is then when the scheme started. The event is completely sponsored by Rotaract Club of Suva and all the models and the helpers of this event are volunteers. The Fiji Arts Club also supported us enormously by giving us the Playhouse without charging a fee to hold the event here.”
“I also felt this responsibility to do something for the people after being crowned Miss India Fiji. I followed my instinct and I am glad to see it successful,” Ali said.
The fashion show, which had John Apted as the auctioneer, drew a crowd of a hundred who did not back down from a fair bid. Bids were as high as $210.
Dance groups also performed island dances and Chinese dances while Rachel Nath, the Miss Vodafone Hibiscus Princess 2008, also modeled and performed acts during the show.
Ali, who is a fashion designer, auctioned seven of her outfits she created with her colleague Aaliya Jaan.
Amongst the two were other designers such as Aisea Konrote, Rosie Semisi, Memsaab & Vaastra, Callie Roche, Shaziah Acramana & Sabrina Acramana, and Jessica Patterson.
Aisea Konrote, 46, originally from Rotuma auctioned three of his creations labeled ‘Hefrani’.
He had earlier participated in the Fiji Fashion Week where he presented 12 of his creations. Six of his 12 creations were presented yesterday.
He said it took him four weeks to prepare his designs but was happy to participate in the appeal to help the needy. Most of his designs resembled that of the Bollywood industry.
“I am fascinated by the designs the Indian actresses used to wear and you will notice that it would resemble that of the 80’s. The first dress, which looked like a sari was an idea from a Hindi movie I saw that starred Zeenat Aman,” said Konrote.
He will participate in the fashion show organized for Rotuma Day in May, where he is preparing to present 81 new designs.
Callie Roche, designer of contemporary fashion said her creations aimed to depict the beauty in every women and the beauty each has to offer.
“I do not have enough money but this is what I could do to help the survivors,” said Roche.
The fashion fans managed to auction 25 dresses to more than $1500, one surprise auction, which was a silky black dress from New Zealand for $210 and a dinner date with Miss India Fiji Nazia Ali at JJ’s on the Park for $140.
There were also raffle tickets to be drawn, silver ribbons as well as refreshments like hot-dogs and drinks for sale, all contributing towards the flood appeal.
The group also continues to receive donation from their online friends overseas, which Ali said they will be able to disclose the amount by the end of the week. They have also received clothes, beddings and food items which the group plans on distributing in the weekend to the Western Division.
Fijilive
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