Cultural Heritage Shines

By June Ramli

I recently had the opportunity to review a cultural fashion show where talented designers gathered at the Fabrics of Modern Australia (FOMA) Exhibition and Runway Show at Ivy Showroom last Saturday.
The FOMA platform is supported by the Fiji Consulate General, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Powerhouse Museum.
This year’s event celebrated a First Nations theme, with the brand Buluuy Mirri bringing together various Aboriginal designers to showcase Australia’s First Nations people.
FOMA Ambassador and designer Colleen Tighe-Johnson is from Gomeroi land and has showcased her designs at international shows in Melbourne, New Zealand, Canada, and New York Fashion Week.
The fashion and textile industry plays a significant role in Australia’s economy, contributing over $27.2 billion and generating $7.2 billion in exports annually.
This industry also provides employment for more than 489,000 people, with 77 per cent of these jobs held by women.
The fashion show reminded me of the time when I was working in Malaysia and would go and cover the Batik fashion shows with the Malaysian tourism minister in attendance.
The FOMA fashion show had the same feel except that it had foreign dignitaries at the show and embassy people from various countries except for Malaysia.
I was made to understand that participating at the show was with a nominal fee, and guests interested in attending the show had to pay a fee in order to get in.
A seated ticket was priced higher than standing, and attendees were responsible for purchasing their own alcoholic beverages.
This stands in stark contrast to what is typically offered in Malaysia, where attendance at such shows is free and food and drinks are provided at no cost, though alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

The last Saturday show also featured entrepreneur Ajay Singh of Bula Premium Kava: A Leading Non-Alcoholic Beverage with Ancient Roots.
Singh, the director of Bula Premium Kava, is bringing a traditional beverage from the South Pacific to the mainstream market.
Kava, which has been consumed in Fiji and the broader South Pacific for over 3,000 years, is now gaining popularity globally, especially for its reported health benefits.
Known to help reduce anxiety and relieve stress, kava is becoming a preferred alternative to alcoholic beverages, with a strong appeal to those seeking natural and relaxing options.
“Kava has been deeply rooted in the cultural and traditional practices of the Pacific Islands. But now, people are recognising its health benefits, and it’s quickly becoming a popular non-alcoholic beverage,” says Singh.
The Bula Premium Kava product is pure, all-natural Fijian kava, harvested after four to five years.
The roots of the plant are processed into a powder in Fiji before being packaged and sold.
Singh’s passion for kava stems from his upbringing in Fiji, where he witnessed its significance in daily life. Although he has worked in technology for over 25 years, Singh saw an opportunity to introduce premium kava to Australia when the kava pilot program opened.
Since its introduction, Australia has imported over 380 tons of kava through the pilot program, with Singh’s company contributing significantly to the rising demand.
“The Australian market is still emerging for kava, but it’s growing fast. We’re proud to be one of the leading brands,” Singh adds.
The quality of Bula Premium Kava adheres to international food standards, and Singh collaborates with the Fijian Trade Commission to promote the product at expos such as the Naturally Good Expo.
Bula Premium Kava is easy to prepare, with 50 grams of powder making approximately 1.5 liters of the beverage.
Traditionally served at room temperature, consumers are now getting creative by mixing it with coconut water or juices to create mocktails.
However, regulations in Australia currently only allow it to be consumed with water.
For those interested in trying this unique beverage, Bula Premium Kava is available for purchase online at their official website, bulapremiumkava.com, and through various retailers across Australia, including Paul’s Liquor.
Singh continues to work closely with Fijian authorities to bring this cultural gem to a wider audience, ensuring that the product remains of the highest quality.
Though kava-infused products such as chocolates and desserts are emerging in other parts of the world, Singh emphasises that in Australia, kava can only be sold in its traditional form as a beverage.
The journey of Bula Premium Kava is just beginning, and Singh is confident that the product will continue to grow in popularity as more consumers discover its benefits.
Besides Ajay, I also had a chance to touch base with the Kosovo ambassador.

Kosovo’s Ancient Bridal Tradition Showcased at Sydney Exhibition

In a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage, the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Canberra proudly showcased a centuries-old bridal tradition at a special exhibition in Sydney.
Ambassador Jetmira Berdynaj Shala introduced the exhibit, which featured a model displaying the intricate face painting and bridal decoration from a specific region in Kosovo, home to the Bosnian community.
This community has preserved the ancient custom, deeply rooted in the country’s pagan past.
The exhibition highlighted the unique tradition of face painting for brides, a ritual believed to protect the bride from the “evil eye” and symbolize the family’s wishes for her future, such as fertility, health, wealth, and a prosperous life.
The painted designs, often taking up to six hours to complete, carry deep meaning and reflect the community’s values and hopes for the bride’s new phase of life.

“This tradition has been maintained through generations, and we are working to promote it, making it more appealing for younger generations by incorporating it into contemporary fashion and art,” said Ambassador Shala.
The exhibit aimed to blend the old and the new, transforming these historic elements into modern expressions of cultural identity.
Despite modernisation, this tradition remains alive in the Bosnian community, with some families still choosing to honor it during the wedding season.
In recent years, the practice has seen a resurgence, with an increase in weddings featuring this custom. “In 2024, we had seven weddings that embraced this traditional face painting, compared to just two or three a few years ago,” added a representative of the ambassador.
The symbolism of the face painting is profound.
On the day of her wedding, the bride is adorned in a special costume, her face painted with symbols representing family blessings and protection from ill will.
As part of the ritual, the village gathers to witness and comment on the bride’s appearance.
“It’s a way to shield her from negative comments about her beauty,” the rep explained further.
The tradition also includes a ritual for the groom, who, after their wedding, must remove the intricate makeup as part of the couple’s first night together.
In the past, this process was laborious, as water could not be used, but modern methods have simplified it.
While fewer couples opt for this elaborate custom today, the recent increase in interest among younger generations suggests a revival.
The exhibition was a powerful reminder of Kosovo’s rich cultural tapestry and its efforts to preserve and promote ancient traditions in the modern world.

Watch the interview here:

Finally, it was India, where I met Niyati Mehta, the director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Sydney, the Consulate General of India.

India’s Cultural Heritage Shines at Sydney’s FOMA Event

India’s rich cultural heritage, especially its vibrant textiles, was showcased at the FOMA event in Sydney, highlighting the country’s diversity and its ability to modernize traditional fashion for global audiences.
Niyati Mehta, the director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Consulate General of India in Sydney, explained the significance of India’s participation at FOMA.
“India is extremely rich in culture, and with it, we are incredibly rich in textiles. FOMA is a fantastic platform, considering it stands for fabrics and Australia. We thought it would be a great way of showing our rich cultural heritage,” she said.
The event featured saris and textiles from various regions across India, showcasing the distinct weaving styles and colors from the North, South, East, and West.
“In every single state, the saris are worn differently, the weaves are different, the colors are different. And with Australia being multicultural, it’s a great way for us to show the connection we have with this country,” Mehta added.
As Indian fashion evolves, designers have found ways to adapt traditional attire to modern trends, both in India and among the Indian diaspora around the world.
“In India, and now within the diaspora, they have been able to adapt Indian traditional fashion. We have kurtis, we have lehengas, which are like trousers. There are different ways to wear saris, and the blouses, the styles, and the cuts are constantly being adapted and modernized,” Mehta explained.
The timeless nature of Indian textiles, known for their sustainable fabrics and natural dyes, has attracted attention even in the Western fashion world.
“Indian textiles have been around for decades, and sustainability has always been a part of our heritage. The natural dyes and fabrics we use have now been adopted by Western fashion because India has always had a sense of sustainability.”
Mehta also shared her own experience with wearing traditional Indian attire at the event.
“My sari is a traditional Banarasi weave, but I believe that taking on board different design elements and mixing materials can help make it more appealing to younger generations as well.”
As Indian fashion continues to evolve, it remains rooted in its traditional values while embracing modern adaptations.
“Our textiles can move with the times, and that’s evident with accessories like bindis, earrings, and bangles, which are constantly changing with fashion trends,” Mehta noted.
India’s participation at FOMA is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and its ability to blend tradition with modernity, making it accessible and appealing to a global audience.

Watch the interview here: