Modern Masi/Tapa Wedding dresses

Some cultures have silk, Indians have saris but for Pacific Islanders we have Masi(Fijian) or the more renown name Tapa…..Made from the beaten Mulberry bark, this fabric not only clothed our ancestors it carry some of our rare
designs and it distinct each pacific Island countries. But nowadays masi are only use during a very important events like first born rituals or weddings and funerals. Now since you guys know how i am so into weddings and all its chiladas, i am going to talk touch on the different designs that has captured my attention.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa’s collections has this collection which is really lovely.

one thing I look for in an ideal wedding dress is the back of the gown, this is the part which will be in full glance by the audience…not that the front part is any less important…For this wedding gown, the flower and the magimagi (coconut husk fiber) is a nice touch

I went to the Fiji National Museum and i saw various collection of Masi wedding gown from Di Vuya Raratabu, she is one of the leading wedding gown designers in Fiji…. coming up with extraordinary designs….and her latest is the incorporation of the lace material into the gown, just remarkable….

and yes the back of the gown is anything but dull….The thing i love about Di Vuya designs is her famous magimagi and the shell binding…..its her signiture touch one can say….

yeah! right down to the last detail 🙂 although her rates are on the up side (according to the locals) but i am sure that it is most worth it……

Another local designer that is making it big is our favorite designer columnist Mrs. Rosie Semisi, one of her designs that really captured my attention is the inclusion of feathers in the gown….something  similar to the Polynesian origin.

the feathers add texture and i rockon it would become trendy with the future generation of trend setters……now, since Mrs. Semisi is Rotuman, we wold expect a more polynesian touch to her designs, but it equally delivers to her fans and clients.

But more and more designers are coming and they too will have their fareshare of modifying the masi material into something the local girls and some foreigners too….can wear and not lose track of the latest wedding designs, because after all,  thats what fashion is for…..turning a dull looking fabric into something that will turn heads…..it is more of a mutualistic relationship…..the tapa is not lost out through time, the bride celebrates her traditional wedding in style  while designers get filthy rich……. everyones happy! 🙂