FIJI Fashion Week's 2012 designer of the year Hupfield Hoerder is looking at branching out into couture and wedding designing.
The 41-year-old Fijian designer who has ties to Rotuma and Germany showcased his latest Pacific wear collection on Thursday night in the Echoes of the Pacific category which featured 44 pieces he made within a month.
"My passion is really with couture fashion, that and wedding — I want to target the Fiji wedding market. I have done a lot of weddings in the past but I want to officially start collections for it," he said.
Mr Hoerder began designing 20 years ago while undertaking undergrad studies in economics, designing simple shift dresses.
Everything he learnt in designing, he learnt on his own, with the strong support of his family.
Surprisingly enough, his day job is lecturing in tourism and hospitality at the University of the South Pacific.
With such a hectic schedule at the university, he says he will always have time to design and never give up one for the other.
"Designing is where I unwind.
"I love lecturing but I also love designing and even though they're two totally different fields, they balance each other out and I like that.
"I certainly won't be giving either up in the future, I love what I do."
He dedicated his award to FFW director Ellen Whippy-Knight for her perseverance in maintaining and developing the fashion industry in Fiji.
But there was one other person he wished he could share the achievement with.
"I lost my older brother Wilson Hoerder last year.
"Wilson was so supportive of me.
"He was so proud of me and was always boasting to people about my achievements.
"Wilson handled the marketing side of things for my label and I really miss him.
"This award is especially dedicated to him."
Mr Hoerder last took part in the FFW in 2010.