Robert Kennedy, exclusive designer to Tappoo, is embarking on an international campaign to promote his label at two prestigious fashion events on both sides of the Pacific in October.
On Sunday October 11th, Kennedy will be presenting his Taralala Fashion Collection 2015 at Los Angeles Fashion Week. He will be part of 10 Fijian designers selected by Fiji Fashion Week to show there. LA Fashion Week is the time of year when a number of international fashion collections — many of them from the West Coast USA — are presented to buyers, media and the public. Shows are created and presented by various independent producers located throughout the city.
Tappoo have exclusively carried Robert Kennedy Fiji for more than seven years and have helped him become one of Fiji’s best-known designers. He has won many awards and accolades in his home country and now sees these exciting opportunities overseas as a chance to expand his label.
Kennedy is also being part-sponsored by the Fashion Council of Fiji on his trip to LA. In a statement, Kennedy said, “I would like to thank the FCF for sponsoring me in my efforts to go to LA Fashion Week in the United States. It is wonderful to be a member in a group of like-minded, passionate individuals who see the huge potential that the Fashion Industry has for Fiji. Being assisted by the FCF in going to LA Fashion Week with the Fiji Fashion Week team means that I have a rare opportunity to not only gain international exposure, but also promote the beauty and talents of Fiji.”
On Saturday October 17th Kennedy will be showing the same collection at the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival in Queensland, Australia. The SCFF is recognized as one of the most prestigious events on the Australian Fashion Calendar. In its 8th year, the SCFF show presents talented emerging and established local and national labels, and a host of international design talent. VIPs, celebrities, media and the public experience a glittering weekend of fashion, encompassing couture, ready to wear, swimwear and ethical design.
Kennedy says; “I am very excited about showing in Queensland as it was where I was partly educated and I am very familiar with the lifestyle there. I think the sub-tropical climate and Queenslander’s love of bright colours is a perfect match for my label. Tappoo also see the huge potential in Australia, as it is a market very familiar to us with the large amount of Australian tourists that buy my range in Fiji. I am extremely grateful to Tappoo for their consistent support and vision. I am very excited to be expanding my label with their full encouragement and partnership.”
Kennedy also says that he feels the timing of these shows couldn’t be more opportune as he now has most of his manufacturing done in Fiji. “Tappoo and I have been making a concerted effort these past two years to have my label 100% Fiji made. Whilst the printing of my fabrics can’t be done here to the standards I require, I have been working closely with a large garment manufacturer in Suva who has taken over all of my Mens collection production. They will also have taken over all of my women’s collection by 2016. I am also developing a Swim wear range here as that can be 100% Fiji made and printed.”
PRESS RELEASE