BY SHOREYANN RAGOSO
At just 26 years old, Mariamene Barton is turning a simple skill passed down from her mother into a growing business that celebrates Kiribati culture in the Solomon Islands.
Born and raised in Tarawa, Kiribati, Mariamene has a strong connection to the Solomon Islands through her father, who comes from Marovo in Western Province and Choiseul Province. Although Kiribati is her birthplace and home where she grew up, she now calls the Solomon Islands part of her journey.
Mariamene is the founder of Mauri Fashion, a small home-based tailoring business specialising in traditional Kiribati clothing, especially the famous Tibuta and other Mauri wear designs.
Her inspiration to start the business came from seeing the growing interest in Kiribati fashion among the large Gilbertese community in the Solomon Islands and women from different communities who admire the beauty of traditional clothing.
“There is a large Kiribati community here in the Solomon Islands, and I noticed the growing interest in Tibuta and Mauri wear, not only among Gilbertese people but also among many women across the country,” she said.
Mariamene’s sewing journey began at home with her mother, who taught her the skills of making traditional Kiribati blouses and dresses. At the time, she never imagined those lessons would one day become a source of income.
“At first I learned smocking and basic crocheting when I was 22 years old, and I never imagined turning those skills into a source of income because many Kiribati people were already making Tibuta for business,” she said.
In 2023, Mariamene moved to the Solomon Islands but continued learning from her mother while developing her sewing and crocheting skills. As her confidence grew, so did her passion for creating traditional garments.
“That was when I decided to create Mauri Fashion,” she said.
For Mariamene, focusing on Kiribati fashion is about more than making clothes. It is about protecting her identity, heritage, and the culture she was born and raised in.
She said she wanted Mauri Fashion to highlight the unique beauty of Kiribati traditional clothing instead of creating a general Pacific fashion brand.
“I wanted Mauri wear to showcase the distinct identity of Kiribati rather than creating a general Pacific fashion style,” she said.
Through Mauri Fashion, Mariamene hopes to keep traditional designs alive and encourage younger generations to value and appreciate their cultural heritage.
She is grateful that Kiribati fashion has gained appreciation beyond the Gilbertese community, with many Solomon Islands women supporting and wearing her handmade designs.
“This motivates me to continue sharing my culture through quality handmade garments,” she said.
For Mariamene, traditional clothing represents a deeper meaning.
“Mauri wear and traditional Kiribati fashion are more than just clothing. They represent our identity, heritage, and pride as Kiribati people,” she said.
In each design, she works carefully to maintain traditional elements, especially the unique style of Tibuta and Mauri wear. She also focuses on the detailed craftsmanship involved, including hand smocking, knitting, and crocheting techniques that make every piece special.
“I balance tradition with modern fashion by creating designs that are comfortable, stylish, and suitable for today’s women while still preserving the cultural meaning behind the clothing,” she said.
However, building Mauri Fashion has not always been easy. One of the biggest challenges has been helping people understand the amount of time and effort needed to create each garment.
Every Tibuta is handmade, from carefully preparing the fabric and creating each smocking detail to sewing and crocheting the final design. It is a long process that requires patience, dedication, and attention to detail.
“As a student, balancing my studies while running my Mauri Fashion brand is also challenging, but it has taught me the importance of time management, discipline, and perseverance,” Mariamene said.
Despite the challenges, the support from customers has encouraged her to continue. Her Gilbertese community in the Solomon Islands has especially appreciated her work because her designs help them stay connected to their culture while living away from Kiribati.
She is also thankful that women from different backgrounds in the Solomon Islands have embraced and supported Kiribati fashion.
Mariamene believes fashion has an important role in preserving culture.
“I believe fashion plays an important role in preserving and promoting Kiribati culture because it allows us to carry traditions forward and share them with others,” she said.
“Traditional clothing such as Tibuta and Mauri wear represents our identity, heritage, and the skills passed down from one generation to another.”
Looking ahead, Mariamene hopes Mauri Fashion will continue growing as a brand that represents and celebrates Kiribati culture through fashion.
“I hope to reach more people, improve my designs, and continue sharing the beauty of our traditional clothing with different communities,” she said.
The legacy she hopes to leave behind is one of culture, passion, and skills passed from one generation to another.
“I want people to remember that this business started with a skill my mother taught me, and that a simple skill can grow into something meaningful,” she said.
As a young entrepreneur, Mariamene hopes her story encourages others to use their own talents to create opportunities.
“I hope my journey inspires other young people to value and make use of the skills they have, whether it is sewing, carpentry, cooking, gardening, or any other skill, to create opportunities, earn income, and preserve culture,” she said.
