Every Samoan wants to better themselves and contribute to their family. It’s probably the most common motivator in all that we do and the sole inspiration behind one of my favourite local designers. 

Le-Ata is a brand that started with this simple ingredient and she’s no stranger to the fashion industry. Leata Mailo McCarthy has showcased her beautiful collections in Tonga, New Zealand, American Samoa, Fiji and have been invited to showcase at London, Milan, Paris, Germany and Australia.

With close to 41,000 followers on social media, Le-Ata is well established and already a household name. Inspired by her love for design, fashion, family, culture and heritage, Leata Mailo McCarthy started her business fifteen years ago, in her garage when she had her first baby. 

Many of us mothers who are also business owners can resonate with this story. Leata wanted to still contribute, provide for her family, be financially independent and with flexible working time, she did just that.

From humble beginnings she expanded onto popular selling sites like Trade me New Zealand, well before social media. 

“As a business woman I feel I’ve come a long way, I started the brand off with zero in the bank account and I did not take out any loans to start this business. I’m so proud to have been able to do that. However, with Covid in the last couple of years, I’ve had to learn about wise investments. I feel blessed to have an amazing family and friends who supported me along the way. I always have to look on the bright side of life.

"Yes, there are times when I feel like giving up but the go getter in me which was instilled from such a young age by awesome parents, always gets the better of me”

If you’re attending a conference locally or overseas, take the warmth with you by getting one of her custom-made pieces. The corporate wear is a whole new level of colour and sass. Take a scarf or a blazer, then add a splash of bold, statement earrings. Shirts for the men and something unique for you. You can never go wrong with that. 

Le-Ata stocks self-designed bags, wallets, kids wear, women’s wear, men’s wear and so many beautiful accessories.

Fashion pieces like tattoos are conversation starters in any setting. McCarthy has high hopes for eco-friendly collections and hopes that people would have more appreciation for Pacific ethically handmade products. Ideal clients are the proud Pacific Islanders who appreciate art, design and culture with a modern twist.

“Some of the challenges include production in the islands with the standard and quality. It is hard to meet demand with limited skills locally available. Perhaps formal education and higher learning can introduce design and tailoring courses ? Hire more qualified and skilled tutors to teach them?” 

I echoed this sentiment in previous columns.

Future ventures include reviving a skin care product range she started in Tonga several years ago and her advice for others who want to start their own brand or business: “Just do it! Find your people that believe in your vision and keep them close and if you have people who doubt you, that’s ok too because you can always turn that around. Use it to your advantage. When they say you can’t, use that as a driving force to do it and believe in yourself, because you’ll learn very fast that if others won’t believe in you, you can teach yourself to be your own greatest cheerleader”.

A designer with a deep sense of gratitude and work that speaks for itself. Love can make you do many things and fashion is one of them! So enjoy the rest of the week and you can check out Leata’s store at Apia, Tamaligi Road, FeagaimaLeata Building right next to Greg Meredith’s Bakery. You can also follow-on IG and Facebook (Le-Ata) and order online via www.le-ata.net

Enjoy this visual therapy and get something special from Le-Ata, sass, bold and beautiful.