Annie Pula

“Much like Ted Nightingale who developed Resene in his own backyard with Kiwi ingenuity, I took my inspiration from my own background with my Samoan identity. Teuila – both the national flower of Samoa and a common traditional name – is a woman of tradition but also a woman living in the modern world.

The inspiration for this garment was heavily influenced by femininity. Resene Princess is mixed from the red colour palette, bringing the passion and energy from red and mixing it with the purity from the tone of white.

Resene Princess brings tenderness and affection. It also translates to compassion, nurturing and love. My mood board tells a story of love; a journey of finding self-love and self-care, because as sung by Ms Lauryn Hill “how you gon’ win when you aren’t right within.’

This garment features an asymmetrical dress cut off at the knee. Her stance is unbalanced – teachings taught to her in the modern world clash with her traditional upbringing taught to her in the enclosed walls of her home. The exaggerated sleeve gives off the effect of it being weighted and heavy – much like she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Teuila is a young woman filled with pride about her upbringing and teaching, while also carrying the weight of the world’s hurt on her shoulders. She is a woman with a dream and determination, looking forward to the future, finding her strength from the village that raised her and seeing the possibilities by watching the women of the modern world bring possibility to the many young women.

This is the legacy of women. This is the future of today. This is Resene Princess.“

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2021

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