Exclusive By Off the Rock a local clothing line featuring traditional elei motifs will be strutting their stuff at the Pacific International Runway Fashion Show to be held in Sydney Australia October 21st.
Pacific International Runway is a prestigious fashion parade featuring top of the line Pacific designers.
Off the Rock is run by the husband and wife team of Leuila and Joseph Ioane and their shop is based in Avau.
Leuila said she was in shock when she got the invite to PIR2017 but added she was
super grateful for the opportunity especially because she wasn’t expecting a major overseas event like PIR to take notice of us in American Samoa.
She believes the 2 Samoas Fashion show held in 2014 was the gateway which exposed their designs to the world.
Leuila says My Original Red Dress that went viral through the magical eye of local photographer and close friend Ammon Fepuleai owner of “Exposed Photography” lit a fire under my skin as a designer to create modern contemporary dresses with traditional motifs.
At the 2Samoa Fashion House owner Cecilia Keil of Cecilia Fashions recognized my line and was totally intrigued and interested in what we had to offer-something new, fresh and different.
Mrs Keil then connected with her friend Taaloga Drabble, who carries Cecilia Fashions at Sadies by the Sea, and found Leuila on Face book.
Leuila credits Mrs Taaloga Drabble as one of her biggest supporters and a big influence in helping Off the Rock get to Australia by helping pay for some expenses and costs. She is now one of two main sponsors for their foray onto the Australia runway.
For the show in Sydney, Leuila and Joseph are featuring a lot of hand painted designs all custom made and originals.
Leuila said, “I’m definitely thinking outside of the box on these 12 pieces, mostly related to our culture and modern designs-short dresses, long dresses and even men’s shirts.”
It’s an expensive undertaking and the couple and supporters have a GoFundme account and holding car washes to help defray expenses.
All total, the bill is $9,000 and the couple hopes to raise at least $5000. So far they’ve collected just under $2,000.
Leuila and Joseph are grateful to everyone for their help and especially Taaloga Drabble of Sadie’s and Kennedy Nofoagatotoa of Island Business Center who are the main sponsors of their trip
If you want to help go to GoFundme.com/exclusivetoAustralia.com or look out for their car washes.
