She Does it Like Mum

Anette White had eyes for details in fashion. Back in the days, in the 1950's to be exact , it was Annette who made Fiji Fashion visible in the eyes of many, and it was not only through local newspaper like the Fiji Times, her designs were on Australian Vogue - a whole spread on her designs, Dolly , Flair and Belle to name a few.
She was labeled by the Sydney Morning Herald as "Fiji's first fashion designer."
Anette had also designed for Peppers and many other big names in fashion during her time, and had her own shop "Nettie".
Daughter of Mark White of Korotogo, Anette had put Fiji on the map as far as fashion is concerned during the 1950's.
But her legacy still lives on?through her daughter, Samantha Farrugia, one of the designers that will be showcasing her designs in this year's Fiji Fashion Week show.
Samantha does have her mum's flair for good clothing and is someone to look out for in this year's fashion show.
area of fashion.
Samantha's childhood was spent assisting her mother Annette and never in her wildest dreamt she would fall into the same industry!
According to her Bio, she worked as Freelance Graphic Designer for over 12 years and studied graphic design and advertising graduating from Billy Blue Graphic Design and Advertising college, Sydney 1998.
During her years as a freelancer, Samantha ventured into other areas of her passions, dance and musical theatre and performed in a number of shows.
She also worked as a contemporary dance teacher and choreographed for music video producer/editor James Littlemore.
With her love for design, dance and style, Samantha decided to endeavor into the area of film and tv. Samantha completed her studies at Sydney Film School 2002 with an award for 'best production designer' for the winning short film' "Eleusinia". She also directed and produced a short documentary film "I am my own hero", focusing on street youths overcoming adversity and was awarded with 'best documentary' which toured Australia nationally with the Big Issue Film Festival.

However, through her journey as a designer and artist she felt she hadn't found her "perfect self expression" of colour and form. So in 2010 she took time out to 'play' with ideas. And with her love for sophisticated island living, Samantha decided there wasn't enough colour in the fashion world, or elegant clothing for women which made them feel beautiful, comfortable and goddess - like. So by using silk as her new canvas she began to design kaftan pieces that every woman could wear. "I like to think of my designs as inspirational art or 'pieces' rather than 'garments' or 'clothes'."
An important aspect of Samantha's life is her Fiji roots.

Samantha comes from Fijian heritage and was the first generation in her family born out of Fiji. She visits Savusavu Fiji regularly where her mother and family reside.

Savusavu has always been a source of inspiration for her designs. Her husband Nathan is a professional scuba diver and a fantastic support to her, and together with their two little dogs make up their small family.