Fashion label raises money for cyclone-hit Fiji

Transcript

Fashionistas have come together to help Fiji through a fashion show to support victims of Cyclone Winston.

At a preview of its winter collection in Auckland, the label MENA raised more than five thousand US dollars for Habitat for Humanity's work rebuilding homes in Fiji.

Designer Agnes Loheni explained to Jo O'Brien why they decided to support the charity 

AL: Because we're a Pacific label, and our label has actually originated in Samoa, and so we actually know, we deal with cyclones in Samoa quite regularly, as do other Pacific Islands. So generally Habitat, we just really support the work. Coz they did quite a bit of work in Samoa post our-cyclones, immediate relief and then also building cyclone-proof shelters. So when we saw the devastation in Fiji after Winston, we knew that that's where we wanted to put our proceeds towards, jut supporting the work they do across all of the South Pacific really. 

JB: Can you tell us about the fundraiser and how you went about raising money?

AL: Well we just had sort of a corporate seating fashion and entertainment night. We showed off our collections and we also had a collection from a Fijian designer called Hupfeld Hoerder, and so we also did that. And inbetween we had some vocalists, a trio band, some dancers and then we did some auction items as well throughout the night that also raised some money for this event.
 
JB: Would it be something else that you'd encourage other businesses, particularly those with Pacific roots, to get involved with?

AL: Oh absolutely, and we actually had a lot of Pacific businesses that actually donated items for our event. So they were businesses either based here in New Zealand, but also a couple of Pacific businesses from Australia, Tonga and Samoa, they were really generous in donating items. Either they were auction of part of the goodie bags that we had as part of our VIP tickets.

JB: Is there quite a feeling of solidarity amongst the Pasifika community here, to sort of help eachother out when there's these disasters back home?

AL: Yeah I there is and I think because we all get affected by them because we've all got family still living in the Pacific. Cyclone season, and it is a season - it will hit one Pacific Island or another every year - and so it's par for the course for us for people living in the Pacific. And of course, because many of our families live in quite basic homes, it's really about just having that quick rebuild and getting life back to normal as soon as possible.

JB: Can you tell us a bit more about you label?

AL: Well we've actually been around close to 15 years. We started our business in Samoa, just selling from home, and then we opened up another workroom and store here in Auckland 10 years ago. We largely serve the Pacific community, we wholesale to most of the Pacific Islands and we've got stockists in the United States and Japan and Hawaii. But a very steady progress for us as it is a small family business and we just wanted to give back.