The Gift Hutt is a Pacific business based in Fiji, that promotes Pacific culture by specializing in Hand Blocked Pacific fabrics called Elei - fabrics used in all of our apparel. Elei (pronounced ey-lay) is historic form of woodblock printing that’s still widely practiced in Samoa today. Traditional motifs such as those found on tapa barkcloth are painstakingly hand-carved by women and men onto wooden printing templates, which are used to transfer the island motifs onto fabric. Each step of the Elei process was — and still is — done by hand. At The Gift Hutt, we take this ancient technique and apply a modern twist by infusing it with motifs from other Pacific Island countries. Whilst the art form was born in Samoa, our fabrics are individually hand-blocked right here in Fiji, marrying the best of both cultures to produce one-of-a-kind pieces.

1. THE GIFT HUTT
Resort Wear
HANDCRAFTED &
MADE IN FIJI

2. The
Art
of
Elei
Elei (pronounced e-lay) is an
ancient form of woodblock
printing that’s still widely
practised in Samoa today.

3. Traditional motifs such as those found on
Tapa barkcloth are painstakingly handcarved onto wooden printing templates,
which are used to transfer the island motifs
onto fabric.
Each step of the Elei process was — and
still is — done by hand.
At The Gift Hutt, we take this historic
technique and apply a modern twist by
infusing it with motifs from other Pacific
Island countries.
Whilst the art form was born in Samoa,
our fabrics are individually hand-blocked
right here in Fiji, marrying the best of both
cultures to produce one-of-a-kind pieces.
1

4. The Gift Hutt creations are a reflection
of the founder of the company. Sukhia
Tuimaleali’ifano-Go was born in Fiji of a
Samoan father and a Fiji-Samoan mother.
On trips to Samoa, where she learned
about her heritage, Sukhia discovered
more about the art form of elei.
Of particular appeal was the knowledge
that many of the motifs used in elei
represent historical facts and stories of the
past.
2

5. Says Sukhia:
“Producing Elei is not
only an extension of
my identity, it is
also an opportunity to
share our culture
& traditions
with the rest of the
world.”
Malu
A traditional Samoan tattoo worn by women, the malu is
great significance in the Samoan culture: each stroke and
line tells a story.
The same motifs have made their way onto our fabrics.
3

6. 1
Full Length Stretch
Caftan. Print: “La”
Siapo. Colours: Pink
and red
Wholesale: $56
RRP: $92
2
4
Midi Stretch Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Light and
dark green
Wholesale: $43
RRP: $80

7. 3
Full Length Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Light and
dark blue
Wholesale: $55
RRP: $90
5

8. 6

9. “La” Siapo
“La” in the Samoan language means
the Sun and this Siapo or traditional
barkcloth motif is a representation of
the sun.

10. 5
4
8
Venus Midi Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Brown
and black
Wholesale: $45
RRP: $85
Venus Midi Caftan (Chiffon)
Print: Pua (Frangipani)
Colours: Black on red chiffon
Wholesale: $58
RRP: $95

11. 6
Midi Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Purple and dark
blue on pink mull
Wholesale: $42
RRP: $79
9

12. 7
Venus Midi Caftan
with Side Tie
Prints: Almas Siapo
Colours: Dark blue
on fuschia mull
Wholesale: $47
RRP: $89
8
10
Venus Midi Caftan
with Side Tie
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Light blue
and purple
Wholesale: $47
RRP: $89

13. 10
9
Midi V-Neck
Prints: Almas Siapo
Colours: Dark blue
on fuschia mull
Wholesale: $42.50
RRP: $79.50
Mini Stretch
Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Citrus
combination
Wholesale: $37
RRP: $60
11

14. 11
Midi V-Neck
Caftan with open
sleeves
Prints: “La” Siapo
Colours: Dark
green and purple
Wholesale: $42.50
RRP: $79.50
12
13
12
Midi Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Lollypop
combination
Wholesale: $42
RRP: $79
Full Length Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Dark blue
and purple
Wholesale: $55
RRP: $90

15. Almas Siapo
One of the very first prints to come out of
The Gift Hutt, this siapo print is named after
its designer Almas, a talented local artist.

16. 14
14
Mini Butterfly Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Orange
and black
Wholesale: $36
RRP: $59

17. 15
Stretch Full
Length Caftan
Print: “La” Siapo
Colours: Dark
blue and purple
on fuschia mull
Wholesale: $56
RRP: $92
15

18. 17
Midi V-Neck Caftan
(With open sleeve)
Prints: “La” Siapo
Colours: Brown and black
Wholesale: $42.50
RRP: $79.50
16
Stretch Butterfly Caftan
Prints: “La” Siapo
Colours: Dark blue and
purple on fuschia mull
Wholesale: $37
RRP: $60
16

19. 19
18
Midi Butterfly Caftan
Prints: “La” Siapo
Colours: Brown
and black
Wholesale: $42
RRP: $79
Mini Butterfly
Caftan
Prints: “La” Siapo
Colours: Purple
and light blue
Wholesale: $36
RRP: $59
17

20. M: +679 9232391
P: +679 3322 677
E: sukhia@thegifthutt.com
The Gift Hutt, Vunakece Rd, Suva, Fiji
For wholesale orders, minimum quantity is 20 pieces and come in
assorted colours and sizes.
Beachwear reflecting selected fabric design, the full range of fabric
designs and colours available on website at www.thegifthutt.com.
The Gift Hutt would like to thank the great team behind
this catalogue Hair & Make Up: Francis and Gen of Total Looks Hair Salon
Photography: Jason Chute of Lumen Films (chute.jason@gmail.com)
Copywriting: Rajan Sami (communiquefiji@gmail.com)
Art Direction & Creative Design & Layout:
Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi of The Greenhouse Studio
(ronna@greenhousefiji.com)
Models: Genevieve Lord, Karen Mapusua & Jillian Ash
Location: Intercontinental Fiji Resort and Spa