FIJI Fashion Week (FJFW) has practically made the dreams of a young, capable and creative designer come true.
Anton Wye, 23, told this newspaper last Saturday that he never imagined he would be where he was today.
Mr Wye had much appreciation for what FJFW taught him over the past few months.
"Honestly, I have learnt so much, accomplished so much and taken risks that I don't regret, it really was an amazing time," he said.
Mr Wye, who graduated from the Fiji National University (FNU) with a degree in graphic design in 2010, said it was indeed hard work and "I hardly got any sleep".
"I recall putting my pieces together for my line two weeks before the show began, which is not good but it was only because I had a few financial issues at first.
"I was sponsored by Mark Halabe of Mark One Apparel, and the weeks that followed were all a learning experience," he added.
Mr Wye said his final garment was completed at 6am when it was expected to be showing that same day at 10am.
"That was just one of the experiences. I remember only getting two hours sleep that morning, then getting ready at around 8.30am and heading straight to the show," he said in relief.
Much of his inspirations come from the tribal roots that exist within the Pacific Islands.
"I was going for a tribal look so I merged together designs from Rotuman, Tongan and Maori cultures, just to get that blend."
What also made his designs different was the fact that he made the tribal prints himself, each his own unique work of art.
"When I create or design, it just comes to my hands. I honestly don't know how else to describe it. It's one of those things that can't really be explained."
Mr Wye joined FJFW this year as a first-time competitor, entering himself into the Emerging Designers Category and even scoring some positive feedback from people overseas via emails and the popular social media network, Facebook.
"I was so shocked when I would get calls and emails from people wanting to buy some of my clothes from overseas. Some even made orders and asked me to make them.
"There was also this one woman who asked if I made wedding dresses," he explained in disbelief.
Throughout the show, he saw the two largest barriers being money and time, saying that it was a passion that was both expensive and time consuming.
Mr Wye has impressed the public so much with his creative designs that he has already secured a sponsor for next year's FJFW.
"If fashion is truly your passion, just go after it.
"It's hard and it's tiring but it is really worth it," he said as a side-note to all budding designers out there who share the same dream.