I have always loved fashion, but I never thought I’d be indirectly involved in its industry.  It wasn’t in my career plans after completing a Bachelor of Business degree at Bond University back in 2015.

However, I considered putting my own artistic flair to use for this much needed cause in society, which is to design fashion for the movement against gender-based domestic violence and against abuse on children.

Opportunity

I’ve been asked this question many times in the last couple of months:

“How did the House of Ratu come about?”

Well …  I saw an opportunity in the marketplace to design elegant sophisticated cocktail wear for the islander-city woman. 

I noticed a gap in the market that there were no designs targeted at the woman who may have been born in the Pacific Islands but grew up in cosmopolitan cities like Melbourne. So these ladies embody two contrasting cultures, which I display in my designs.

Purpose

More than seeing an opportunity in the marketplace is my answer to various why questions from family and friends such as:

“Why design?” 

My purpose is due to being part of the Pacific Fashion Festival, an all-female committee who are fervent about addressing the issues of domestic violence in our society.

‘My why is entrenched in designing fashion for a good cause.

The Pacific Fashion Festival held in September 2015 was privileged to have the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce, ex-Governor General of Australia, be special speaker at our event.

Dame Bryce is a passionate advocate against domestic violence and was recently appointed to lead the task-force that will implement recommendations to Queensland’s State Government to stop this epidemic.

She spoke of a coming together as one to stamp out the crimes committed against women and children. She expressed her outcry that domestic violence is a national disgrace.

63 women so far have died at the hands of their spouse or ex-partners through violence! This is a horrible predicament for our country to be in.

Cause

Therefore, I am proud to be involved in the fashion industry for this cause. Through the Pacific Fashion Festival, we are making a stand against atrocities that occur in our communities. We are utilising the power of the catwalk to raise our voices on the assaults against women and children.

Capturing an opportunity and advocating for the empowerment of women and children makes me proud to launch a fashion line for this cause.

“…it has become an urgent matter, an emergency, to get on with the job as fast as we can to do everything we can to ensure we eliminate family violence,” Dame Bryce.

Read more here.