Loo-paper maestro flush with success

BY TUREI MACKEY

Turning toilet paper into fashion has won a former Porirua resident entry to New Zealand Fashion Week.

Lua Talaoloa E'etau, 27, is one of three students from NZ Fashion Tech to earn a place at the Fashion Week in September, after creating a dress made entirely out of toilet paper.

The father of three, who once attended Porirua College but now lives in West Auckland, never expected to end up in the fashion industry.

The youngest of 10 children, Mr Talaoloa E'etau moved to New Zealand from Samoa in 1994 and says he preferred maths over art during his college days.

But after high school he enrolled in the New Zealand College of Performing Arts, and worked on the film set of King Kong before moving to Auckland about two years ago.

It was in Auckland, while looking through fashion magazines, that Mr Talaoloa E'etau's interest was ignited.

His parents were not too sure about his fashion design ambitions, wanting him to join the army instead.

"Being Samoan you are usually expected to play rugby and focus on other stuff, not fashion."

But his sister, Eseta, said mum and dad were proud of their youngest child and his success.

Family members from all over the world had been tracking his achievements ashe honed his creative talent.

Mr Talaoloa E'etau's advice to young people from Porirua is to dream big and aim high, which is what he plans to do.

His biggest dream is to make it in Hollywood as a fashion designer.

- © Fairfax NZ News