A swimwear showcase and fundraiser held at Taumeasina Island Resort on the evening of Thursday 11 June, 2026 which introduced Samoa to AlofaLei Swimwear, a growing Pacific fashion brand founded by 21-year-old entrepreneur Leilani Tuimalatu.
Held at sunset at the Taumeasina Island Resort, the showcase marked the Samoa debut of the Australia-based brand and brought together fashion, culture and community for an evening celebrating Pacific creativity. Dedicated swimwear showcases remain a rarity in Samoa and, at just 21 years old, Leilani is among a new generation of young Samoan entrepreneurs carving out opportunities in industries where few have gone before.
The showcase was made possible through a collaboration with Lanuola Boutique, the exclusive Samoa stockist for AlofaLei Swimwear. The partnership brings together two young women entrepreneurs, Leilani Tuimalatu and Penina Kamu, with a shared passion for fashion, creativity and business.
Guests enjoyed a runway showcase featuring AlofaLei’s latest collections, alongside cultural performances by Siva Manana and the Taumeasina Island Resort dance group. The evening also raised funds for Lona Primary School in the village of Lona, Fagaloa.
Born and raised in Australia to a Samoan father and English mother, Leilani has built a loyal following in the Pacific market through designs that celebrate Polynesian culture and identity. While Australia is home, regular visits to her father’s village of Lona have strengthened her connection to Samoa and continue to inspire her work.
“I’ve been working my whole life with my family,” she says. “I started helping in the back of our catering business with my grandma, peeling bananas, scraping taro and making panikeke. As I got older, I worked my way through our family businesses before stepping away to focus on AlofaLei full-time.”
Growing up in a family of eight children taught her lessons that would later shape her business.
“I learnt that whatever you work hard for can succeed. I saw how much my parents risked to make their businesses successful. There was a lot of faith involved because if things didn’t work out, our whole family would feel the impact.”
Family remains closely involved in the business, with her father helping review cultural references and her mother often providing a second opinion on new collections.
AlofaLei currently offers sizes ranging from small to 3XL, with plans to expand further into plus-size and modest swimwear.
Bringing the brand to Samoa began with an unexpected connection. During a visit to Samoa, Leilani stopped by Lanuola Boutique after spotting a dress she admired and was surprised to discover co-owner Penina Kamu was a fellow young entrepreneur. The encounter sparked a conversation that eventually led to a partnership, with Lanuola Boutique becoming the exclusive Samoa stockist for AlofaLei Swimwear.
The collaboration highlights a growing generation of young Samoan women supporting one another as they build businesses and bring new ideas to market.
For Leilani, the showcase was also an opportunity to give back. A recent visit to Lona Primary School, where one of her aunts serves as principal, reinforced her desire to support the community and acknowledge the village connection that remains an important part of her family’s story.
“When I started thinking about bringing AlofaLei here, making money wasn’t my priority. I wanted to give back, support the people who have supported me and acknowledge where I come from. This showcase was my way of saying thank you and making my own contribution towards taking the 685 to the world.”
The evening also served as a fundraiser for Lona Primary School, reflecting the gratitude she feels towards the village and community that have helped strengthen her connection to Samoa.
About the Author
