Emerging Tongan fashion designer, Mele Tamanilo (32) has transformed the traditional kiekie, normally made of plant fibres, into a sparkling warrior-princess-inspired accessory that Tongans worldwide are embracing with pride.

Inspired after watching a movie, Xena Warrior Princess, Mele knew she had to modernize the kiekie using materials such as rhinestones, studs, spikes, chains, feathers and colourful fabric.

The kiekie (a decorative girdle) is an essential part of a Tongan woman’s wardrobe and is worn to work, church, semi-formal and formal occasions and is the equivalent of wearing a suit or formal attire in western parts of the world.

Mele told Matangi Tonga she did not choose fashion as a career path and  currently works in IT in New Zealand, and her interest started as a hobby.

“I started taking up sewing classes after work a few years ago to try and learn the basics while praying at the same time for some inspiration on how I can do something unique with fashion.”

Her kiekie idea led to the launching of her fashion label ‘Kanumez’ last October and she has now expanded into designing clothes and modernizing the Tongan ta’olava.

“These new samples were all showcased in our first fashion show at the beginning of this month.”

She has been rather busy since the launch of Kanumez, especially around Christmas but with her family’s help, growing the label has been possible.

“We’ve had orders from around the world including Tonga [and] Australia, but most of them from USA.”

Kanumez Kiekie are handmade and standard orders take between four to six weeks.

“We can make items in a shorter time frame depending on the kiekie design and stock availability.”

“We have over 40 different [kiekie] samples to choose from. Our prices depend on each design as some require more work than others and some use more expensive materials than others. ”

Mele said the kiekie idea designs come “from a variety of things such as nature, buildings, patterns and shapes I come across and even things I come across online, especially Pinterest”.

She currently receives orders via email or facebook messaging while the Kanumez website is being worked on.

Kanumez will be heading over to Australia in October to take part in the Pacific Runway Fashion Show.

“This is a fashion show where Pacific designers from around the world come together to showcase their work in Sydney, Australia,” said Mele.

Background

Mele was born in Tonga to Keith and Siosina Moala and is from Tatakamotonga, Makave, Kolomotu’a and Tu’anuku. She is the oldest of her siblings, with a sister Ana and brother Siaosi.

Although she spent most of her childhood growing up overseas, Mele is grateful she spent time in Tonga attending Tonga Side School and one year at Queen Salote College.

“I have many fond memories of growing up in Tonga. For instance, the first time I met my husband was in Tonga. We both went to Tonga Side School together and we later studied the same degree in USP (Fiji).”

“Another fond memory was when I attended Queen Salote College for one year. I went there as reluctant as ever, but at the end of the year I didn't want to leave. I loved it there so much that I asked my parents to let me go to school there while they move to Fiji without me.”

Mele added that she learned so much about Tongan values and culture while at QSC.

“I admire the character that experience teaches you there, the many hymns we learnt by heart, learning the Tonga art of weaving and making awesome friends along the way, some who I still keep in contact with today. There’s just some things you learn in Tonga that you don’t learn anywhere else, and I'm grateful I got to experience that!” she said.