The Best Traditional Inspired Attire captured the audience and judging panel at the crowning of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG in Port Moresby last night, mostly inspired by the Motuan culture.
The attire captures the history of the famous Hiri Trade, designed by Tabu Warupi from Central Province and worn by newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands PNG Abigail Havora.
The audience cheered in awe as the outfit was modeled by Miss Havora.
The two piece outfit (pictured) consists of a blue dress and a cloak made up of mini Lagatoi sails cut from coconut fiber, the same material used to make the sail of an actual Lagatoi.
Warupi said the frills are from the Motuan grass skirt worn by women to welcome the Lagatoi with singing and dancing.
The white shells represent the beach where the women gathered.
The Motuan tattoo known as neneva painted along the neckline symbolizes the warriors’ spirit in the men that embarked on the voyage.
The colored blue dress represents the ocean and the black beaded necklace is attached to the kina and together with the toea shells hanging from the belt symbolizes wealth.
The black patterns around the kina are Motuan tattoos worn by women.
These patterns were woven with black and white beads. The same tattoos are printed on the lower part of the dress.
The belt is woven from pandanas leaves, traditionally used by the Gulf people to make mats.
The clay pot printed on the lower frill of the dress signifies the main commodity of trade by the Motuan people.
The back of the dress show the sail made from coconut fibre and represents the Lagatoi returning home from its maiden voyage.
The head piece is Gulf inspired and made from the feathers of a cassowary.
Miss Havora thanked the designer for the opportunity to wear the beautiful outfit.
