In early March, Pacific entrepreneurs showcased their premium beauty products as part of a Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Europe and International Trade Centre (ITC) collaboration to host an IndoPacific Showcase stand at the Professional Beauty Expo 2023 in London. A leading trade exhibition for the beauty, spa and wellness industries, the event brought together professionals, exhibitors and industry experts from around the world to discover and discuss the latest trends, technologies and innovations.
Representing the unique beauty offerings from the Blue Pacific region, exhibitors included Loloma Fiji and Nama Skincare from Fiji; Feniu from Tonga; Oshin from PNG; and KUKI Skincare from Samoa. Among these exhibitors was Taulapapa Maria Leota, owner and founder of KUKI Skincare. Through the support of PTI Europe, Leota presented her brand’s all-natural range of products to buyers, distributors and promoters at the Expo. She shared her insights on the experience:
“As a new skincare company, attending the Professional Beauty Expo was both educational and inspiring! We gained new international customers from at least 12 different countries and customers’ reviews of my products confirmed how we can offer a unique Pacific product that is exciting and new. As a business, it also provided me with a good deal of invaluable data that I could use to improve all areas of my business.
“The event was a world-class network of the beauty industry, and it showcased the hottest trends in the business. As an attending business, [we were introduced to] networks of international contacts; and introductions with potential business partners, influencers, salon owners, beauty consultants, spa owners, international distributors and compliance companies. We are now holding discussions of further possible projects. This kind of exposure can be challenging to achieve from within Samoa and it increases the potential for Pacific companies to boost their exports. The increase in business will be positive for our local business community and local economy.” said Leota.
KUKI Skincare offers a range of sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products, focusing on using the natural resources of the Pacific region, with the Samoan collection including items such as organic facial serums, moisturisers and body scrubs – all of which are formulated using locally sourced ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and essential oils derived from Pacific Island plants.
Jodie Stewart, Trade Commissioner at PTI Europe, highlighted the significance of the event for Pacific businesses.
“Professional Beauty Expo 2023 provides a fantastic platform for Pacific entrepreneurs to increase their brand awareness and establish direct connections with buyers in the European market. By showcasing the diverse and premium beauty products from the Pacific, we hope to facilitate further expansion into international markets.”
The Professional Beauty Expo featured over 1,000 exhibitors from various countries, demonstrating a wide range of innovative products and services. Attendees also enjoyed live demonstrations, masterclasses and industry-recognised competitions, allowing them to gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving beauty industry.
This marks year the first that PTI Europe has attended the Professional Beauty Expo, with plans to extend and expand the Pacific presence in coming years.
Founded in 1979, the PTI Network is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. PTI Europe is funded by DFAT and works to promote trade and investment in the Pacific Islands, supporting the growth of local Pacific entrepreneurs and their expansion into international markets.
For more information regarding exports to the European market, reach out to our team here.
