Lesieli Tonga

“Resene Teal Blue is a colour of calmness, peacefulness and it could also resemble growth as well as high elegance. Lockdown is a time that we all will not forget as we all have just experienced a worldwide pandemic.

To me I will definitely not forget lockdown where we were told to stay in our little bubbles and we were stripped of our hope of when we could get back to our normal day to day lives. During these times I remembered quite a few William Morris quotes with my favourite being “Have nothing in your house that you don’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”.

My top is a modern take on the traditional halter with tie fastening, the halter tie represents the law and the truth.  This means for me to follow the rules of Covid-19 and to keep your culture alive.  My skirt is an asymmetrical ruffle wrap mat skirt.  The wrap up layout on the flounce is a representation of me and my culture and it symbolises respect.  The flounce represents calmness, peacefulness and a new life.  First this shows that Tongan people, such as myself, are keeping our culture alive but in a much more modern tradition.  I chose to do this when I was a home in my very own bubble.  I was around family and had to be respectful and I wore my lavalava everyday.  The top of my design is a woven design and this to me symbolises me and my family getting and staying together during these dark times.

The colour Resene Teal Blue is calmness and peacefulness.  Karen Walker has been one of my big inspirations with my design as she is known to have such a soft spot for her home calling it her only happy place.  Her clothing line ‘hi there’ has also been one of my big inspirations with my design as the clothes not only look very stylish and fashionable but they are also comfortable day to day wear. 

My outfit is also inspired by the Tongan woven mats called the Fala.  Woven mats are commonly used on the floor or around the waist area during special occasions or just to church.  Feanu or the strands that are weaved to make the mat represent respect, family, honour and the country as we stand together as one with our traditions.  “Fofola ae fala kae talanoa ae kainga” is a well-known Tongan metaphor that means bring out the mats, so the family once again get together.  Mats that are worn are also passed down from generation to generation as they are a sacred piece of clothing. 

During lockdown my family and I had been through this stage every single day as we all came together and sat on our mat and made sure everyone felt safe.  This is a place of our prayer where we sing together and where we also share ideas on a better future or a new beginning.”

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2020

Find out more   Return to gallery