Felt Salusalu (Garland) – Chocolate Rosi / Lime Leaves

Traditionally made from either vau (dried wild hibiscus fibre) and masi (barkcloth), or fragrant fresh flowers and foliage, Fijian salusalu (customary garlands) are made and gifted to mark achievements, social bonds and milestones. They adorn the chest and shoulders, circling the head – the most sacred part of the body – in decoration.

These felt salusalu were originally developed in May 2024 at Vunilagi Vou to use oddly shaped pieces of felt leftover from making the works for the exhibition, To Live Die in South Auckland. The construction draws on the classic salusalu design of layers of looped masi (barkcloth) or leaves, overlaid with rows of contrasting flowers or rosi (rose motifs) made from vau (dried hibiscus fibre). They use coloured ric-rac trim as a direct reference to nostalgic memories of Fijian quilting, school uniforms and home-made clothes.

Whilst these felt salusalu have a functional application and are made to be worn, gifted and adorned, they a.....