10 designers to showcase fashion on Project Runway

Ten local designers have been confirmed to showcase their designs at the Project Runway, tonight Saturday, July 30.

While a few of them have made names both locally and internationally, a few are fresh faces into the industry.

This response has overwhelmed the organising committee, who aims to identify from the runway, a fashion stylist for the Miss PNG entrant to the Miss Pacific Island Pageant.

Deputy Chairperson of the Miss Pacific Island Pageant (MPIP) PNG Molly O’Rourke said:

“This goes to show there is so much talent and potential in our arts and we, the Project Runway, are only gleaning the tip of the iceberg.”

Designers introduced are:

  1. Natasha Tamanabae of Elite Fashion Club PNG who specialises in tapa prints, including on shoes. Her brand is Baiwa inspired by the Baiwa-butterfly and Kumul (Bird of Paradise). She has two years of experience in the industry.
  2. Hazel Vaita Navuru of Creative Fashion PNG has six years of experience in the industry and inspired by God’s creation.
  3. Luania Temu and Railala Pepena of U’i-Tiki Fashion have had two years of experience and are inspired by the rich culture and heritage of PNG.
  4. Genevieve Igara- Faleva of Wantok Clothing operates in Port Moresby and has at least one year of formal experience. She is inspired by the “love for our country, our cultural heritage and the uniqueness of PNG prints”.
  5. Yanah Copland of Tetiyana Copland has been designing for two years. Her love for fashion and creating beautiful pieces of clothing is a big factor of inspiration to her.
  6. Miriam Xkenjik Siaguru has one year experience and is her first time to participate in such a big event.
  7. Tabu Pelei Warupi of Tabu has been designing for two years now. Her inspiration is drawn from her cultural heritage.
  8. A A’s Tribal Fashion has eight years of experience which has not been a waste. Designs from A A’s Tribal Fashion are worn all over the world in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and United States of America.
  9. Elizabeth Ruby Taurega Omeri of Denani Designs, 42 years old, has been designing since her early 20’s.
  10. Florence Jaukae Kamel also known as ‘Bilum meri’ is a billum fibre artist. She is the director of Jaukae Bilum Products as well as Bilum Festival in Goroka and a Bilum Trainer of Inernational Trade Center, Bilum Export Promotion Association.

There will be cash prizes for local designers and the overall winner will receive K10,000 plus travel to Samoa to dress Miss PNG at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in December this year.

Author: 
Gloria Bauai