An amazing colourful fashion festival to celebrate 37th Independence and raise funds for children’s playground at the National Referral Hospital was successfully hosted at the Honiara Hotel last week.
The event also offered the opportunity for local fashion designers to showcase their dress designs which captured the attention of all those who turned up to witness the occasion.
Featured at the fashion festival were contemporary wear, beach wear, evening wear, national dress and uniforms.
It was fashion at its best as more than 40 gorgeous models did a catwalk showcasing the different categories of dress on the stage.
Adding more excitement to the colourful fashion festival was the backup show from Australian RnB/Soul artist Mike Champion.
Co-hosted by graphic designer Millicent Barty and back stage manager Frannie the fashion festival offered an amazing event for guests to celebrate independence and spend their money for good course.
Amongst the guests attending the fashion festival was Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Madam Sogavare.
Events manager Doreen Kuper said, as the country celebrates its 37th Independence anniversary it is time for Solomon Islands to create its own style of fashion.
“Fashion expressed our national identify, who we are and our values and what we want to be.”
She said Solomon Islands have talented local designers who are capable to produce uniforms, national dress and traditional dress that we should take pride of.
“I was blown away by the creativeness produced by the local designers especially those who do their own printing,” she said.
The local designers who engaged in the fashion festival are Lavalyn Grossmith, Frances Do’oro, Judy Barty, Stephanie Eta and Grace Kelesi.
Meanwhile Mrs Kuper said, from the event the committee is targeting to raise $100,000.
She believed that from the cooperate table, auctions and raffle tickets they already meet the target but the details will be produced later.
Already Kramer Ausenco has offered to design and construct the building.
She acknowledged the Prime Minister and the sponsors for supporting them towards building a playground for the children at the National Referral Hospital.
By CHARLES KADAMANA
