In his interview with Voyage Utah, Afa shared his story, beginning with his birth and upbringing in the independent country of Samoa. He explained that he was adopted and raised by his maternal grandparents. Both of his parents were very creative; his dad was a musician and builder, and his mom was a weaver and seamstress. This creative environment led Afa to take sewing classes in high school, which sparked his interest in sewing. He continued to sew and taught himself everything he knows about fashion.
Years later, Afa showcased a collection during Fiji Fashion Week, where he was selected to become a designer for LA Fashion Week. From there, his success continued as he showcased in Utah, Washington, Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, London, and many other places. He was selected as the designer for Samoa to design for the Miss World Samoa contestant in the Miss World pageant in China. He received a special invitation from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to showcase his designs at Buckingham Palace alongside other Commonwealth designers. He also made history as the first and only Samoan designer to be cast on the reality TV hit show Project Runway.
Afa mentioned that he has co-founded two fashion events highlighting Pacific Island creatives and designers. One was last year’s Utah Pacific Fashion, and this year’s event is called Creative Pacific, which he co-founded with Benjamin Powell, a beauty and hair educator and stylist with over 30 years of industry experience.
Discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way, Afa acknowledged that nothing is ever “smooth sailing.” He faced struggles and bumps in his journey, particularly with self-doubt and believing that he was good enough to be in many spaces he found himself in. As a self-taught designer, he often felt inadequate around those who had been formally educated in the industry. He noted that artists often face critiques of both themselves and their work. Over the years, he learned to develop a thick skin and not let criticism affect him, understanding that fashion is subjective and not everyone will love or agree with his work.
Afa highlighted that he specialises in bridal and evening wear, incorporating his Samoan and Pacific Island roots and heritage into his work. He expressed pride in being Samoan and making an impact on people’s lives, whether big or small.
Lastly, Afa wanted to inform people about the upcoming Creative Pacific Week from September 23rd to 28th. He described Creative Pacific as a six-day celebration of culture, creativity, and innovation, showcasing the rich diversity of the Pacific Islands and beyond. The event brings together designers, artists, and industry professionals from various backgrounds. Creative Pacific is not just a fashion event but a platform fostering unity, creativity, and collaboration. It aims to create opportunities for community members to become successful entrepreneurs, guiding them in their career pursuits. Additionally, the event is committed to creating and promoting educational and economic opportunities, providing mentorship and scholarships for creatives across various cultural groups, fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
Afa invited everyone to join this incredible journey, where artistry meets culture, and creativity knows no bounds. More information about the event can be found on their website: www.creativepacific.org.
