With hopes of integrating Polynesian culture and western fashion, Tuitakau Funaki, a senior accounting and business management major from Tonga, and Amanda Funaki, his wife from California, have created Kie Fashion, a growing tie business.
Tuitakau said the business started in June, and purchases were only available through their website.
However, about a week ago, the BYU–Hawaii Bookstore has started selling the Funakis’ products, and they are hoping to expand their market to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Amanda shared, “We had been thinking of the idea for a while now. We wanted to bring in Tui’s culture.” She explained he has Tongan and Fijian heritage in him and he had served his mission in Samoa, all of which influenced the designs.
Tuitakau said, “Our ties don’t just focus on one specific island. We make sure that everyone is represented. We’ve made designs for Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, the Maori and Fijians.”
Amanda added, “If you look at a lot of Polynesia, they have a lot of tattoos, and so we took some of the tattoos that they’ve had that are important to their culture and we just put our twist on it. We combined designs from different cultures and made it our own.”
Tuitakau explained they pick the color and the Polynesian design as a way to emphasize Polynesia. “The designs are for authentic people who want to be recognized when they walk through a crowd,” said Tuitakau.
“We both design the ties. There are nights when we wake up at night and we say, ‘Got an idea!’ and then we draw it.”
Nhil Banda, a communications senior from the Philippines, who modeled for Kie Fashion’s online catalog, said, “When Tui approached me, he said aside from just selling ties they actually wanted to sell the Polynesian art, the culture itself. And so I think that’s what makes it special. They’re not just selling clothes or apparel. They want to share their culture and that’s wonderful. His designs are very handpicked just like the images. It will make you feel like it’s an authentic tie from the island.”
According to Tuitakau, the ties in the Bookstore now are their first and second editions and they are made of either polyester or polyester twill. The third and fourth editions are in the process of manufacturing and customers can expect them to be high-end silk ties with Polynesian designs.
He shared, “We are also going more into Polynesian-designed leggings. We start with ties, and then we’ll branch out. Leggings should start somewhere in January or February next year.”
Despite the busy schedule of a being parents, employees and for Tuitakau, a student, much of the success and creative process of the business is a team effort. “I am in charge of financial and supply chain issues, and my wife is my partner and takes care of the marketing and operating side of things.”
Tuitakau emphasizes that students should have hope. He said if students have ideas, right now is the time to do it because there is really nothing to lose. Students can be successful outside the classroom. “Follow your dreams. When people say no, don’t believe them. If you really love it, do it. There’s a way,” he said.
Amanda added, “It’s scary to do that first step. We were having our baby at the time, and we had this idea and wondered could we really do it? Most of the people we talked to said we should wait until after we’re done with school or that someone already has done this thing. But we loved what we had in mind and we just went for it and gave it all.”
Information about their business can be found on their website, kiefashion.squarespace.com.