Emerging fashion designer Rosie Isaac during the Financial Literacy workshop run by Westpac and facilitated by the Fashion Designers Alliance. Photo: RONALD KUMAR.
By ROSI DOVIVERATA
Rosie Isaac will be stamping her mark at this year’s Fiji Fashion Week show. Entering in the Emerging Designers catergory, she is determined to make every outfit count.
To help her and others’ way to the top, the Fashion Designers Alliance facilitated a Financial Literacy Workshop.
Held on Saturday at the Fiji Fashion Week office, the workshop was conducted by the Westpac Microfinance team.
“I’ve just learnt so much, especially on how to budget, costing and how much I would need to get my fabrics into the production line,” said Ms Isaac.
Competitive industry
Driven by a desire to be the best in a competitive industry, Ms Isaac draws inspiration from her young family and fashion-loving friends.
“This all started as a hobby and I’m hoping that one day it will be a profitable business.”
Last year, Ms Isaac was rated in the top ten of the Crest Sulu and Jaba competition.
Helping designers financially
General Secretary of the Fashion Designers Alliance, Jo Nacola said the workshop is to help emerging designers become financially competent.
“It is very easy for fashion designers to harness the artistic aspects of their work, but a lot of them have failed or just have not mastered the business arm of things,” said Mr Nacola.
Fiji Fashion Week Managing Director, Ellen Whippy-Knight said the workshop would equip young and new designers from the get-go.
“Most designers are not good at managing their finances. This workshop will help address that issue,” said Ms Knight.
Over ten designers took part in the workshop.
The workshop was made possible through the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) – a regional programme targeted to provide sustainable financial services to low income households.