December 2012 35republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

Cultural stimulus for the curious mindEditor | Rajan Samisalon

Colour Story Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s 90s-era model-turned-photographer Sandhya

(Dusk) Nand in a series of high-octane self-portraits featuring colourful caftans by Zelda

Thomas, her one-time catwalk partner in crime. Shot on Denarau post Style Fiji (the

charity fashion benefit for Nadi Hospital) in early December. | Page 36

December 2012

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36 | Repúblika | republikamagazine.com December 2012

Seeing Double Zelda Thomas never met a sari she didn’t like. “I love

colour,” she professes, when talking about Exotica, her easy-going line of caftans and loungewear in saturated hues, made from traditional Indian and other outré fabrics. “If it looks

ethnic, exotic and unusual, then I like it,” says the one-time model turned designer, adding: “But I wear mostly

black myself.” n RS

December 2012 37republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

“One size fits a few.” Thomas first started (then shelved) Exotica some

10 years ago with sarongs and scarves made from saris for the tourism

market. “I wanted to show we have other cultures here in Fiji,” she says,

returning to the idea after working on the inaugural Style Fiji event in 2011. “I was interested in covering the tourist. They fiddle and fumble with the sulu and it’s always falling down; with the

caftan it’s easy.” And unlike many of the current generation of Fiji designers,

she sews the limited-edition line herself. “All the women in my family sew – my grandmother, my mother, my aunts,” she says. “I come from a

family where we sewed our own stuff.” Up next, Thomas is looking at textile

design, drawing inspiration from under the sea, saying: “It will make the line

more original.” n RS

n Pieces range from $25 to $300. available at Aladdin’s Cave in Suva. www.cavefiji.com