Designer Tracey Farrington showcased her latest fabrics collection during the Great White Sharks Swimming Club Fashion show at the Northern Club in Lautoka last weekend.
With more than 35 years of experience, Ms Farrington specialises in design, manufacture, wholesale and retail.
“My designs, textiles and fabrics are manufactured into resort collections by locally outsourced makers, creating local enterprise and employment for this small cottage industry. My designs are totally original and I’m very humbled and proud to be able to showcase it,” she said.
“Each year, I design around one to two new fabrics and patterns for my Tracey Farrington collections.”
She also designs resort wear to suit island Fiji style and what an average customer would wear to an event in Fiji.
“When I design my fabrics, I create the mood with bright and solid colours. I am not a soft pastel person, my colours are very vivid and creative. So, when I put a piece of fabric together, it has a real impact,” she said.
Ms Farrington first stamped her mark in the Australian fashion industry in the 80s and her first Australian fashion week was in the 90s.
“Starting out with my Australian career with my brand name Bondi Beach bag company, I supplied major department stores in Australia, Myers and David Jones for over 25 years,” she said.
She said she first came back to Fiji in 2010 and has since relaunched a new brand name, Tracy Ann Farrington, moving away from her Bondi Beach bag company brand. She now designs Fijian made garments.
“I’m really happy to align myself with Ellen Whippy and Fiji Fashion Week and I’m one of their devoted designers. So, I’m proud to be a Fijian Australian designer,” she said.
She said she constantly designs new fabrics however much of her previous collection sold out quickly after Fiji Fashion Week.
“I didn’t actually estimate that it would sell so quickly, so my boutique has been practically empty of stock in the last few weeks, however the new fabrics are arriving now for manufacturing over the next few months and then the release of my new collection in October,” she said.
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