Every one of us wants to follow our dream. To make a dream into reality one needs to work hard, plan and execute it well. Tia is a young energetic girl who has dream of becoming a model and a fashion designer. With her talent and perfect planning, she has already started working on her designer label. She is working hard to make her show “Island Runway” a success where she plans to model her own designs. We want to congratulate Tia for her determination and achievements.

How did you come up with the name for your designer label, “Island Gurl”?T: because I’m half Samoan and samoa is a island and I’m a Gurl.

What is the most exciting project you have done so far? Where do you usually get inspiration for your designs?T: Organising my Island runway night and working with a group of people who help me!!
I came up with my designs by seeing other cloth I liked and taking off what I don’t like also use ing material from Samoan my Island Gurl tee's was designed specially for me for a butterfly is a symbol for a deaf person.

What was the most challenging part of school? How did you handle these challenges?T: School was fun and also hard friends and other people can say nasty things, what I found hard was trying to explain at school what happened, but usually I’d talk it out with my Mum till we both got through it.

Who is your role model? Which quality of his/her has motivated/inspired you the most?T: My cousin Hoseah Partsch because he followed is dream !!

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friend?T: I like to go to the movies and I also like big family dinners with lots of Island food.

What are you other hobbies?T: I like to watch rugby on tv but I love playing basketball

Can you give tips/advice for those in our community who want to pursue their passion?T: to try as hard as you can and have the right people with you to help you succeed it will take time but you will get there and when you do the reword that self pride gives you is huge !!

Any special message for our community?T: Every day gets better your journey has just beginning you may make mistakes but that ok just try again, I do !!