From Fiji Village (24 November 2010)

Moira Solvalu Johns: Mountain 8 for all sizes

The difficulty to find clothes to fit everyone irrespective of their size is what inspired 30 year old Moira Solvalu Johns to enter the designing field.

Solvalu is one of the Category winners at the 2010 MHCC Fiji Fashion Week that was held last month and who is also one of the designers whose clothes will be showcased at the Sheraton Resort Fiji when the annual fashion show moves west next month.

She said growing up in a family of eight and also being the odd one out, it was hard to find clothes that could be worn during special occasions She said watching her mother sew from a young age motivated her to take up designing.

The mother of one, who works as a manager for a freight company during the weekdays said while she did not have any formal education, it was through the MHCC Fiji Fashion week and the contacts she established at the event that she has been able to sell her clothes overseas..

Solvalu's range of clothes "8 Mountain" draws it's inspiration from her Rotuman heritage and is mostly evening wear for Plus-Sized people.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala