Samoan kaftan designer Peter Tamasese revitalising an ‘ancient’ upeti artform

For over a decade, Peter Tamasese greeted passengers, conducted safety demonstrations and shuffled food and beverages down the aisles as a flight attendant in the skies above the Pacific.

But the fashion magazines onboard the flights piqued Mr Tamasese’s interest and turned his occupation into an opportunity to explore his passion for textile design.

“Because we were flying to these Pacific destinations, it was a classroom the minute I landed — I…