Underwater Fiji: A Journey of Colour Pattern and Form 

The vibrant underwater world of Fiji, with its world-renowned coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity, has long been a source of inspiration for artists, designers, and photographers. Known as the “soft coral capital of the world,” Fiji’s extensive coral reefs span over 10,000 square kilometers, making it a haven for both marine life and those seeking a vibrant connection to nature. From the sweeping stretches of the Great Sea Reef (Cakaulevu Reef) to the brilliant hues of Rainbow Reef and the Vatu-i-Ra Passage, Fiji offers a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and shapes that captivate the senses. For designers like John Herrera, who also educates at Fashion-Enter Ltd’s FTA, the ocean is not just a place of beauty, it’s an endless source of inspiration.

The Coral Reefs of Fiji

Fiji’s coral reefs are a living canvas, painted with over 333 species of hard corals and a myriad of soft corals in every imaginable colour. As scuba divers glide through these ecosystems, they encounter iridescent purples, electric blues, fiery oranges, and soft pinks. The reefs’ vibrant colours blend into intricate patterns, many of which shift with the light, mimicking the ocean’s movement. These natural phenomena are much more than visual brilliance they offer designers and artists an opportunity to explore the complexities of colour palettes and sculptural forms.

Key Colours from the Ocean to Fashion

Fashion designers are increasingly looking to nature for inspiration, particularly to the ocean, to create palettes that capture the fluidity, vibrancy, and contrast seen underwater. As we approach the key fashion colours for 2026 and 2027, many of these hues mirror the colours found in Fiji’s coral reefs:

• Coral Pink and Soft Peach: Drawing directly from the luminous soft corals found in the reefs, shades of coral pink and peach are set to dominate the fashion world in the coming seasons. These hues are delicate yet striking and bring warmth and vibrancy to collections.
• Deep Ocean Blues and Turquoise: The rich, intense blues of Fiji’s clear waters, combined with the greenish tints of tropical fish and sea plants, inspire deeper, cooler tones that are expected to lead fashion trends. Pantone Classic Blue, a serene yet bold blue, is already being heralded as a key shade for 2026.
• Emerald Greens and Lime Yellows: The abundance of life on the reefs, from the leafy green sea fans to the stunning yellow-tipped corals, provides the perfect contrast for designers seeking to incorporate shades of emerald green and lime yellow into their collections. These bright colours invoke freshness, energy, and optimism, which is reflected in key upcoming collections.
• Lavender and Lilac: These soft, pastel shades are making waves as designers experiment with the iridescence of the underwater world. The purple corals found in Fiji’s reefs offer an elegant twist on traditional floral palettes, bringing together both calm and vibrancy.

Designers Inspired by the Ocean

(Alexander McQueen SS10 Plato’s Atlantis design on display at the Fashioned From Nature exhibition at the V&A)

Alexander McQueen

McQueen’s fascination with the ocean is legendary. His SS10 “Plato’s Atlantis” collection remains one of the most iconic ocean-inspired fashion moments ever created.

• Inspiration: Evolution, climate change, marine life, and the future of humanity underwater
• Design language: Digitally printed scales, coral-like textures, and alien sea-creature silhouettes
• Key colours: Turquoise, aqua blues, coral pinks, acid yellows, and iridescent greens
  McQueen’s work shows how the ocean can inspire not just colour, but radical form and narrative, much like coral ecosystems themselves.

(Alexander McQueen SS10 “Plato’s Atlantis” on display at the V&A)

Iris van Herpen

No designer translates the movement and structure of water quite like Iris van Herpen.

• Inspiration: Fluidity, waves, marine biology, and underwater motion
• Design techniques: 3D printing, laser cutting, translucent layering
• Ocean connection: Dresses often resemble flowing water, sea anemones, or soft coral formations. Her work mirrors the sculptural complexity of coral reefs, making her a key reference for experimental fashion and future-facing design.

Issey Miyake

Miyake’s work frequently reflects the rhythm and flow of water rather than literal marine imagery.

• Inspiration: Natural movement, ripples, and organic forms
• Design approach: Innovative pleating that mimics waves and currents
• Colour palette: Deep blues, sea greens, pearl whites, and sunset corals. His designs feel weightless and fluid, perfect parallels to drifting underwater landscapes.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney draws from the ocean with a strong emphasis on environmental awareness and sustainability.

• Inspiration: Marine ecosystems, conservation, and the fragility of the ocean
• Design elements: Ocean photography prints, recycled materials, flowing silhouettes
• Key colours: Seafoam green, ocean blue, sandy neutrals, soft pinks. Her work highlights how ocean-inspired fashion can also be a call to protect marine life.

Vin + Omi

British design duo Vin + Omi are known for their deeply experimental, nature-led approach to fashion, often drawing inspiration directly from the natural world—including the ocean and marine ecosystems.

• Inspiration: Ocean life, marine pollution, sustainability, and environmental storytelling
• Design language: Sculptural silhouettes, dramatic textures, unconventional materials
• Ocean connection: Vin + Omi have famously incorporated marine waste, recycled plastics, and sea-inspired forms into their collections, transforming environmental issues into bold visual statements
• Key colours: Acid blues, sea greens, coral pinks, algae yellows, and inky ocean blacks

(Vin + Omi – images by Chris Daw)

Hussein Chalayan

Chalayan often explores themes of transformation and nature, including water and submersion.

• Inspiration: Water as both life-giving and destructive
• Design approach: Conceptual garments that morph and evolve
• Ocean influence: Flowing forms, liquid-like materials, architectural silhouettes.
  His work reflects the constant movement and adaptability of ocean ecosystems.

Why the Ocean Continues to Inspire Fashion Designers

The ocean offers designers:

• Infinite colour palettes – from neon coral and tropical blues to muted seabed tones
• Natural structure – coral, shells, and sea life inspire sculptural and 3D forms
• Movement – water currents inform draping, pleating, and fluid silhouettes
• Sustainability narratives – a growing focus on ocean conservation and ethical design

As we move toward 2026–2027, designers continue to revisit marine inspiration, particularly soft coral pinks, digital blues, sea greens, and luminous yellows, aligning perfectly with trend forecasts and the growing desire for nature-led creativity.

Mary Lundin: Capturing the Beauty of Fiji’s Underwater World

For those who have yet to experience the wonder of Fiji’s coral reefs, Mary Lundin’s work offers a visual entry into this breathtaking underwater landscape. A photographer with more than 40 years of experience, Lundin is known for her exceptional underwater photography, particularly her stunning images of Fiji’s coral reefs. After becoming a certified diver in 1985, Lundin began capturing the luminous world beneath the waves. Her book, “The World Down Under”, features a breathtaking collection of images that showcase the true beauty of Fiji’s underwater ecosystems.

Lundin’s photographs highlight the rich textures and vibrant colours that are so difficult to replicate above water. Her images are not just about capturing a moment but about expressing the very soul of the coral reefs—showcasing the interplay of light, form, and colour in ways that speak directly to the fashion and design world.

The macro and wide-angle lenses she uses highlight the intricate textures of corals, marine life, and the fluidity of water. Through her lens, Lundin captures not only the beauty but also the movement and grace of the ocean, qualities that resonate deeply with designers.

Her works have been featured in publications like National Geographic and Sierra Club, and continue to inspire designers to experiment with prints, textures, and colour combinations that evoke the ocean’s brilliance.

Fashion Designers Drawing from Underwater Worlds

Designers are increasingly looking to the ocean not just for colour, but for form. The natural world, particularly coral reefs, offers endless inspiration for sculptural designs and organic shapes. The intricate, twisting forms of coral can be translated into fabric manipulation techniques such as pleating, draping, and embellishments.

As fashion evolves, we see designers incorporate marine life-inspired textures into their collections, such as:

• Lace and mesh fabrics resembling the delicate structures of coral formations.
• Fluid, draped silhouettes mimicking the movement of underwater currents.
• 3D prints that capture the texture and vibrancy of coral reefs.

The ocean also influences fabric choices. The softness of satin and silk reflects the smoothness of water, while textured fabrics such as embossed organza evoke the tactile nature of underwater life.

The Future of Fashion and Coral-Inspired Design

As we look ahead to the key colours for 2026 and 2027, the influence of the ocean will continue to be a central theme. From the deep blues of the ocean to the fiery oranges and pinks of coral, the colour inspiration found in Fiji’s reefs will undoubtedly shape the way designers approach future collections.

Fiji’s coral reefs provide an infinite source of creativity, colour, and form, and as designers continue to draw from this living masterpiece, they will bring the brilliance of the ocean to life on the runway. Whether you’re creating a mood board, selecting pantone shades, or developing prints, the underwater world of Fiji offers endless inspiration for those looking to explore the beauty of the ocean in fashion.

All underwater images courtesy of Mary Lundin

Intro image Vin + Omi fashion with Mary Lundin background