A fashion incubation centre was recently opened at the Fiji National University (FNU) in Nabua. FNU’s National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) consulted Fiji’s fashion industry stakeholders last year to explore ways to respond to the production needs of fashion graduates from FNU and APTC.

Both parties agreed to collaborate to reactivate the FNU Garment Factory to support FNU and APTC graduates as well as emerging designers and small business entrepreneurs.

The centre will enable production runs of up to 100 items, ideal for small business entrepreneurs who are unable to place orders through established garment factories due to their small quantity.

The centre’s programmes are designed to support young designers and fashion start-ups, enabling them to develop and contribute to new entrepreneurial initiatives locally, according to an FNU press release.