Single mother Heather Vakaosooso will now get to work with New Zealand international designer Karen Walker after winning the Wearing Fiji 2023 student designer award.
Walker has worked with many celebrities such as Maggie Gyllenhaal, Adele, Lorde, Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga.
Vakaosooso has dedicated the win to her 2-year-old daughter who inspires her to dream.
The single mother expressed her gratitude towards the Wearing Fiji team for their support towards her 12 weeks of programs in fashion designer.
She says she is looking forward to what Walker will teach her to up-skill her passion for design.
Walker says Wearing Fiji was fantastic and she enjoyed watching how designers are so creative and innovative.
She and her team in Auckland are looking forward to host Vakaosooso and show her what is fashion like in her company.
Wearing Fiji co-founder Naisa Tuidraki says three of their student designers showcased their collection and they were judged by Walker, renowned Fijian designer Hupfeld Hoerder and NZ stylist Makaira Lee.
She says the winner will be spending a week in New Zealand with Karen Walker as an intern and it will be a good time for her to learn more.
Tuidraki thanked the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their support for the project.
She adds Wearing Fiji is all about developing the next generation of fashion designers in Fiji.
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