Thirty-five contestants gracefully showcased ‘missionary’ and ‘pareu’ designed dresses for the Aitutaki Bi-centennial Mu’umu’u Pageant that was held on Thursday, October 28.

Selina Napa elegantly wore the winning ‘missionary’ mu’umu’u that was sewn by talented Aitutaki seamstress and tivaivai expert Tangi Oariki.

“All credit goes to Tangi, I just displayed the dress,” said Napa who purchased the dress some weeks ago.

“Tangi created a beautiful, elegant, fully covered mu’umu’u – her vision of what the missionary women would have worn back then 200 years ago, I felt very proud for her.

“I just love it, its free flowing and I love the design.”

Napa, the Member of Parliament for Titikaveka, attended the 200-year celebrations with the Titikaveka Oire from Rarotonga who were hosted by the Vaipae Oire of Aitutaki.

Initially Napa had no intention of participating in the pageant, however, when she showed the mamas in Vaipae her dress, they became excited and convinced her to join in to represent them.

“It was a great evening seeing all the women take part and enjoy themselves, and the Vaipae Mama’s were happy,” added Napa.

Tereapii Nolan, one of the judges for the evening, said: “The event was amazing, and the mu’umu’u designs were stunning. And there were some creative wonderful designs of the gowns.”

“What stood out for the garment Selina wore was the work that had gone into it, the colour and the ‘missionary’ dress (fully covered from neck to toes) that Mama Tangi Oariki designed … it was very elegant.”

There are very talented dress makers here, all stunning and unique in their own designs, Nolan added.

The judges for the mu’umu’u evening were: Tereapii Nolan, Mii Upu, Tanya Savage and Regina Potini.

The results for the Pareu mu’umu’u category are: 1^st Mama Orometua Marian Daniel, 2^nd Rongo Preston, 3^rd Joanne Stephens. In the Missionary mu’umu’u category: 1^st Selena Napa, 2^nd Mama Orometua Marian Daniel, 3^rd Mama Rouru Newton.