MENA’s Talaleomalie collection showing at Pacific Runway 2018

04 October 2018, 12:00AM

The owners of MENA, Agnes, Jackie, Gina and Charlene Loheni, have been hard at work.

They have been preparing their next collection ‘Talaleomalie’ which they will launch at Pacific Runway on 26 October in Sydney. 

 “Talaleomalie is our mother Mena’s ‘taupou’ name,” Gina Loheni said, explaining the name of the collection.

“It loosely translates to ‘teller of good stories’. As young girls we grew up listening to mum tell captivating and enchanting stories of childhood in Samoa. Stories about strife and hardship. Stories about resilience and the strength of family. Stories about strong, wives, mothers and daughters. This collection is our tribute to all these stories.”

Jackie Loheni says taking this collection to Australia is timely. 

“Our online sales to Australia have really taken off over the past few of years and I believe we’re only just scratching the surface of opportunities. It makes sense to part of Pacific Runway so we can better connect face to face with our customers and introduce our brand to new Australian customers,” Jackie said. 

This will be the first time that MENA will showcase at Pacific Runway which was established in 2012 by founder Jannike Seiuli.  

Agnes Loheni is proud of MENA’s journey. 

“We’ve had a busy year couple of years with some changes and the big one was consolidating our retail and wholesale operation. After 16 years in this industry we’ve seen a steady progression of Pacific fashion designers enter the market. Some have lasted, and some haven’t – it’s a tough business that really requires grit and determination in those early years. Platforms like Pacific Fusion Fashion Show in Auckland and Pacific Runway in Sydney are really needed to help these designers get some exposure which is vital in the fashion game.”

MENA will be selling their ‘Talaleomalie’ collection at a pop-up stand on the night along with other designers and exhibitors. Pacific Runway 2018 is on the 26th October at Carriageworks, Sydney. Tickets available at pacificrunway.com.au.

04 October 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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