pacifikmarket

Coming from New Caledonia, a French territory renowned for its Melanesian cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, Christiane Waneissi is an emerging kanak designer with a passion for

fashion and a vision for change.

As a tech entrepreneur, Christiane set up her e-commerce platform Pacifikmarket.nc in 2020, allowing women from remote islands and rural areas to reach global markets by selling their handicrafts online from New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. Her commitment to women economic empowerment in New Caledonia has been recognized at the national level as she is the first winner of the French Tech Award in 2020 for her startup Pacifikmarket.nc. She also received the Innovation Award from the Women Business Owners’ Association of France in 2021 in the Overseas category.

Her experience of indigenous brands dates back to 2019 when she was working as a consultant for designers from the Pacific region. This led her to found her own fashion brand “Chateaubriand”, named after her place of birth in the Loyalty Islands. Christiane has carved a niche for herself in the competitive world of fashion and accessories. With garments and bags inspired by her kanak heritage and infused with modern flair, Christiane’s creations have garnered international acclaim, captivating audiences far beyond the shores of her home island, Lifou.

Her professional journey is inspired by her traditional “mission dress”, that she brings up to date with new fabric materials and upcycling. Christiane speaks five languages and her designs reflect her bold personality. By promoting cultural diversity in the tech industry as she propelled the Mission dress in the digital space thanks to her kanak storytelling.

By participating in major runways in NZ, Fiji, she gained confidence and experience alongside Pasifika established designers. Thus, Christiane started shaping her pathway in the Melanesian Pacific fashion showcasing her kanak and French brand Chateaubriand.