FIJI is the only country in the Pacific which has a viable textile fashion industry that is cutting edge, says Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes. Mr Feakes highlighted this during the Australia-Pacific Technical College fashion show held at his residence in Tamavua yesterday.
The show included the designs of 17 students from this year’s certificate III in applied fashion design and technology course and five students from last year’s certificate IV in fashion design and merchandising course.
Fashion trainer Karlene Dangerfield said the fashion show had a message on recycle, reuse and to use natural fibres.
“The reason being for our certificate III APTC fashion class it’s the second last week before the end of the semester and we’re finalising assessment on five units it’s all about working in a team, sustainability and making whole complex garment,” Ms Dangerfield said.
She said the 22-week course helped students create quality high standard designs.
“So we can see what they are learning and how they progress, it’s very gratifying for me to see that they are using what we teach them staying with the quality, quality is international standards and Australian standards and they’re learning a lot and staying with that high quality,” she said.
Mr Feakes said after the completion of this course the students would be equipped with the necessary skills to join the workforce.
“The course these students have completed will provide them with skills necessary to enter the workforce and to grow the textile and fashion industry in Fiji,” he said.
“The qualifications they will receive from APTC are recognised in Australia and New Zealand so we hope through our support that we contribute in a small way to the continued growth of this industry and the Fiji economy.”
