A daughter of Samoa, who started her multi-million company in the U.S. with only USD$12, is organising a Pacific-focused fashion show in Las Vegas next year. 

But as a precursor to the inaugural Pacific Fashion Show 2024 in Las Vegas next year, a festival is being planned for Samoa on 20 December 2023.

Virginia Toalepai, who is the President and C.E.O. of World Wide Safety, told the Samoa Observer on Thursday that the festival in December this year will be of interest to local fashion enthusiasts and artists.

She said the festival is being organised by the Las Vegas Pacific Fashion Show (Samoa Division), which is an association made up of local designers, models and artists who wish to have their work displayed in Las Vegas next year. 

In an exclusive interview, Ms. Toalepai said those interested in being part of the inaugural Pacific Fashion Show in Las Vegas in April next year will first have to register and be a member of the Samoa Division Association of the Las Vegas Pacific Fashion Show. 

She said the aim is to prepare the local talents for the showcase next year, adding, "We will not call it a fashion show because it is not only about fashion.

"It will bring together a lot of local and international talents to showcase their work and help them prepare for the fashion show in Vegas next year. 

"There will be entertainment, dancing, music and showcasing of artistic work, and I will be bringing my production company and a band called Bonafide Band to perform here during the festival in December."

Asked about the inspiration behind both the festival and the fashion show, Ms. Toalepai said she has always had a passion for giving back to her people. 

And for someone who grew up in Samoa, and started her multi-million dollar company with just USD$12 over a decade ago, she believes that dreams do come true. 

Ms. Toalepai said she has always been inspired by the art and creativity of her people, despite not having the exposure they need for their businesses.

"When I first came back to Samoa after leaving the country for 20 years, I went to the flea market and saw the talent of our people. While I was amazed by their work and creativity, I felt sorry for them because I saw that there were not many opportunities available here for them to develop and grow their businesses. 

"Opportunities that are available to the people in America. I saw how our people struggle to sell the clothes and products they make and that the people here can't afford either. They don't have the exposure they need to get their work recognised. 

"So I figured that one of the things I would love to do for my people is to open up a platform, hence the show coming up in April giving the exposure our local artists need."

Acknowledging that there are already local businesses that today offer online shopping which include e-commerce portals like Samoa Market, the American businesswoman said these platforms have given locals the opportunity to sell to the Samoan diaspora living abroad.

She said together with the organisers of the fashion, they are also looking at setting up a similar online platform exclusively for art and clothing. Workshops will also be available for those in the arts to expand their knowledge on how to run a successful business, she added. 

"So along with this fashion show, we are also looking at having a similar platform just for art and clothes that can be an avenue for our local artists to get their work exposed and also earn from it. 

"Leading up to the fashion show we will also be helping those who will be part of the show next year and prepare them for when they come to America. 

"We will be providing some resources and will be doing workshops leading up to the fashion show so we can help the designers, models, and make-up artists to expand their knowledge and understanding of how to run a successful business and make good use of the different platforms available."

Ms. Toalepai confirmed that they have already received registration applications from designers and artists from across the Pacific, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and also from the United States of America. 

"But my focus is here in Samoa because this is home for me," she added. 

In a message for emerging artists and designers in Samoa, the American businesswoman urged them to dream big and not let the "limitation of resources" become an obstacle to them reaching their goals. 

"Never let what you think you know be in the way of you getting the opportunities out there to learn and grow your business. You know, growing up, I never thought I would end up being successful and be in a position where I would be able to give back to my community and my home country. 

"I had the same childhood dreams as most young Samoans who grew up in the pre-digital era where there was little exposure to what was out there for us. The dream was to become a doctor or a lawyer, but those fell through and while I knew all along that I would end up in America, I did not think I would become the person I am today. 

"When I got to America, I was exposed to so many other things and saw the many opportunities there, things that I knew were not offered here on our island. I came back and saw little kids on the streets selling packets of chips for a living and I was moved. They have no idea how the children in America have free education and live off welfare with so many opportunities for them. 

"I can tell this story over and over again, but 10 years ago, I was broke and one promise I made to our heavenly father was that if he gave me another chance to be able to stand on my own two feet to provide for my family, I will look back and pull the next person up and give back. 

"I'm so grateful and proud of the Samoan values instilled in me by my family and parents because it made me who I am today. A family-oriented and God-fearing woman. Samoa is everything that I am today."

According to the American business website Las Vegas Sun Incorporated, Ms. Toalepai's World Wide Safety is a construction consulting agency that identifies, evaluates, and resolves safety challenges at job sites.