One of three finalists shortlisted for Digicel Pacific’s recent Uniform Design Competition, 21 year old Sidhant Maharaj is in no doubt a contender to look out for at the Style Fiji charity fashion event on Saturday.
A second year student currently studying Medical Laboratory Science at the Fiji School of Medicine, Sidhant has a profound passion for fashion and design. He entered the Digicel Uniform Design competition solely for the opportunity to showcase his creativity and talent in fashion design.
Commenting on what inspired his participation and designs, Mr. Maharaj said, ‘’I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for the world with such a prestigious company like Digicel. My designs were inspired by modern fashion trends and depicts my vision of what would signify all Pacific islanders and at the same time give it a stylish and professional look.’’
Sidhant’s first accomplishment in fashion was when he won Style Magazines ‘Best Street Wear of The Year Award’ at the Project Jejemon Fashion and Design Awards earlier this year. Since then he has continued on his path in fashion and is currently designing for a client a 1960s themed outfit in addition to a wedding dress with a western traditional fusion theme. All while studying for his MLS at the Fiji School of Medicine.
Apart from his medical studies, Sidhant does voluntary work for Auztec medical laboratories and SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Some of his additional achievements would include, winning the 2013 National Finals of Climate Zone, a first Climate Change Awareness Educational Competition in the pacific coordinated by the University of The South Pacific and European Union, and also participated in the 2013 Climate Zone regional competition representing Fiji alongside other pacific island countries and emerging as the only undefeated team in the competition.
The competition was launched to offer the people of the Pacific the opportunity to help design the company’s new retail, corporate and casual uniforms. Sidhant’s designs are currently in production with internationally renowned textile company Total Uniform Solutions, and his designs will be showcased on the cat walk this weekend.
The winner of this competition will be presented with a prize of USD$2,000 plus the experience of managing the entire design project from start to finish with a select project team in Australia.
This year Style Fiji’s main objective is to raise funds for the St John Fiji Ambulance appeal project, which will enable the St John Association of Fiji to acquire two ambulances that have been donated by St John’s Hong Kong branch. Style Fiji aims to raise $US34,000 ($74,524.26) that is needed to have the two ambulances shipped to Fiji.