The House of Mausio, a Hobby Turned into a Designer Fashion House in Fiji

In the House of Mausio's manufacturing shop in Suva, Fiji, two staff are busy printing fabric with orange and blue leaves on each side of the printing table, taking turns to firmly apply paint with a squeegee against a stencil-like design.

Behind this venture is Michael Mausio, a dynamic serial entrepreneur who knows how to spot and seize opportunities. The House of Mausio, which blends traditional methods with modern innovation, is one of his notable ventures.

Michael's journey began in his gap year working at an art gallery, where he learned sewing and block printing from a mentor. This work continued during his law studies at the University of the South Pacific, providing a creative outlet. His fashion and textiles expertise was later honed at Fujian University in China.

Revival of Fiji's Fashion Scene

The Fijian fashion industry was gaining momentum in 2008, marked by the inauguration of Fiji's first Fashion Week. Initially a model at the event, Michael quickly found his passion on the creative side of fashion.

In 2010, at the age of 19, he launched the House of Mausio, but "it was more of a hobby then," he said. It was not until 2017 that Michael transformed it into a business, gradually expanding his creations from women's to men's wear. The enterprise is a family affair; Michael's mother oversees operations and the shop, while approximately 15 staff handle printing and manufacturing."We are the only fashion house in Fiji that is locally owned, that designs, manufactures, and sells its creation in its outlet," Michael proudly states.

Tradition and Modernity

Pacific Island fashion is an evolving industry rooted in tradition, but Michael noticed evolving tastes. Gone is the time when customers were content to have the same designs for several years. There is now an acute demand for a couple of collections each year. "We use new patterns, colors, and prints to adapt to the latest trends in the market," he said.

According to Michael, styles are changing more rapidly than prints. "Customers want very modern style pieces, but with a touch of their Pacific heritage," he explains.

As a child and adolescent, Michael visited all the Pacific Islands with his grandparents, who ran Wabs Pacific, an engineering company in the oil industry. This travel allowed him to discover the whole range of the Pacific Islands' culture and continues to inspire him. "Culture, fauna, and flora are the three pillars of my inspiration," he says.

Seasonal Fashion Lines

Faithful to the Fijian culture, the House of Mausio also produces the cherished “kalavata”, a set of matching garments for the whole family. “It is a big thing here,” Michael explained. “In the Pacific, we don't have seasons, so we base our designs on colors for the different seasons, where each has a specific color." According to Michael, styles are changing more rapidly than prints. "Customers want very modern style pieces, but with a touch of their Pacific heritage," he explains.

Competitive Industry, Branding Essential

In the competitive world of fashion, safeguarding designs is challenging. The House of Mausio counters this by introducing new styles, prints, and designs twice a year.

However, Michael is now seeking to protect his brand and trademark its name so customers can immediately recognize his products and their quality.

WIPO experts visited the company and conducted speed mentoring, highlighting key IP elements in the business. The company will be invited to future mentoring sessions.

Expanding Market, Accessorizing

While the company primarily serves clients in Fiji and islanders living in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, Michael intends to bring House of Mausio's creations to the Japanese and European markets. As he fine-tunes regional operations to eventually hit the bigger international market, he plans to diversify into accessories and footwear.