It may be something too often people disregard, but Papua New Guineans acquired sewing and fashion from fellow Pacific Islanders.
Reigning Miss Pacific Island and Miss PNG, Abigail Havora, highlighted this important factor when acknowledging the three international judges at the project runway last night.
She noted that early missionaries who came into PNG were from Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands, where judges Epeli Rakai Tuibeqa, Sione Liafail Maileseni and Ellena Maineteremoana Tavioni are respectively from.
"These missionaries’ wives taught our women to sew, make handicrafts from pandanus and coconut leaves.
"These skills are still being practiced by homes right across PNG."
She thanked the judges for their participation in the project runway.
Fijian judge, Epeli also entertained the crowd with two traditional contemporary dances from Fiji.
(The three judges: [L-R] Epeli Rakai Tuibeqa of KuiViti designs, Ellena Maineteremoana Tavioni designer of TAV brand and Sione Liafail Maileseni of Coco Craftique.)