Makete Fashion Show lights up Suva Flea Market for third consecutive year

By Jernese Macanawai

What started as a modest fashion show three years ago has grown into a major platform for emerging local designers and artisans to showcase their work.

The Makete fashion show was created as the Suva Flea Market launched its Visual Arts store and Business Hub, initiatives designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Shakira Ah Koy MacDonald, the Makete Show’s co-creator, says from the get-go, Makete was about empowering different types of creative businesses that operate at the Suva Flea Market – artisans, visual artists, and tailors –  not just fashion designers.

“The idea was to build a platform that felt grounded in community, culture, and accessibility, where creativity in all its forms could be seen and celebrated,” she says, adding that previous Makete shows were mostly focused on launching a handful of new designers, artisans, and visual artists and supporting established ones.

In October 2025, the Makete fashion show featured over 40 MSMEs for the first time, supported by new and returning sponsors, like the Fijian vodka brand, TRIBE. 

Ah Koy MacDonald says this was a testament to trust, consistency, and community collaboration cultivated over time.

“Many of the participants have grown alongside the show, returning with stronger work and clearer identities, while new creatives continue to join because they see Makete as a platform that genuinely supports them.”

Growing the Makete fashion community

Luisa Qiolevu of Mami Loogie was a first-timer at Makete 2025. She debuted a collection inspired by her family and traditional Fijian culture.

“For me, preserving my culture is a source of inspiration for me and the other is family – I’m a family-oriented person,” she said.

Like the other designers at the show, her clothes are sold at the Pacific Artisans Collective fashion shop. Running a small fashion label, however, isn’t without its challenges.

“I’ve found it difficult getting customers to buy from me. Some people would rather critique my work than support my business. Others ask for lower prices, and it’s really hard to explain to them the difference between a registered local designer and a fabric seller,” says Qiolevu.

“But the people who know what fashion is all about and the quality of the designs we sell – they are the ones who buy.”

Taina Danford returned to the Makete Fashion Show as one of six designers and tailors who came together to produce a joint collection. The group has participated in the show since 2023, after being encouraged to design a clothing line for the show’s debut. Danford runs her eponymous fashion and handicraft label at Shop 1306 at the Suva Flea Market and has a fashion background from her days at the Australia Pacific Training Coalition.

“We love fashion, and participating in the show boosts our morale as designers,” she says.

“The money we make from the collection comes back to us, and we get exposure.

“We’ve done this as a team, but the plan is to do our own thing eventually.”

Public support for local designers seems promising, if the audience’s positive response to the collections is anything to go by.

Dr Penuel Emi, a first-time attendee, shared that by the end of the show, she was very impressed and wants to see small and emerging designers and accessory makers be given more chances to showcase their craft.

“I find that the smaller the boutique and designer, the more depth and quality there is,” she says.

“We should encourage micro and small enterprises because they make up the backbone of our economy.

“I would definitely support them and buy from them. And I would encourage the women and men of Fiji to check out our local designers.”

Ah Koy MacDonald believes the challenge now is ensuring the exposure these designers and artisans gain from Makete leads to more tangible opportunities for growth, development,  networking and income generation that could be sustained long-term.

Makete’s evolution in the years to come will be a key part of that process, she adds.

“I’m most proud of the sense of pride and confidence that’s grown over the years — seeing creatives and the brilliant Makete team return stronger, more assured, and more connected to the growing community that is the Makete Fashion Show.

“The aim is to grow Makete thoughtfully — while staying true to its roots in community, culture, creative empowerment, and entrepreneurship.”

Ah Koy MacDonald hopes to strengthen partnerships and continue working closely with the public and private sectors.