FLIGHT attendant Maud Elbourne’s stylish outfit saw her walk away with the title of Designer of the Year at the Fiji Tourism Convention.
An article in The Fiji Times on July 1, 1984 reported Ms Elbourne wore a caftan-styled dress in a beige coloured silk and viscose linen with screen printed kimono sleeves and a wide tapa belt worn low over the hips. Ms Elbourne, was a flight attendant with Air Pacific and won a week-long trip to Sydney to tour Australia’s top fashion house, as the first prize.
She had been designing clothes as a hobby for seven years. The award was part of the activities organised for that year’s convention at the Regent of Fiji Hotel and was the first of its kind to be held in Fiji. A number of young Fiji designers entered the competition with creations that ranged from elegant evening garments to casual beach wear and day dresses.
Most of them displayed the Fiji theme, either with modern day variations of traditional Fijian styles such as the jaba and sulu outfit, or with simple touches of Fiji-styled belts and other accessories using masi, matting, and shells to highlight the outfits.
The second prize winner was Foxy Lady with a tiered look dress featuring a traditional Fijian theme in modern-day fabric. Japanese designer Kazuo Karan won the third prize. Sangeeta Maharaj of Lautoka and Iguana Fashion of Suva were also among the three who received special commendations from the judges.
- Compiled by: Elena Vucukula
