Natasha Tamanabae

Returning from the Pacific International Runway in Sydney, the team is determined more than ever to take PNG fashion all the way to Milan and Paris next year.

PNG Fashion Week and Design is a platform promoting local designers.

Last year, Natasha Tamanabae was introduced as the PNG fashion week 2016 designer to Pacific International Runway.

This year, it has been bilum meri Florence Jaukae Kamel.

In a usual Baiwa fashion, Natasha Tamanabae surprised the crowd with a smooth contemporary song composed, specifically to accompany her latest collection.

Tamanabae’s song was to celebrate the lives of all women – perfectly accompanying her collection ‘Celebrations of a Woman’.

The Baiwa brand of Elite Fashion Club PNG showcased its latest collection at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) PNG project runway.

You get something hotter and trendier such as the BarataxBaiwa.

Barata Streetstuf, an apparel brand in PNG specialising in head gear, joined forces with Baiwa – PNG’s top fashion designers, to bring new look hats in town.

Barata Streetstuf introduced BarataxBaiwa last Friday as its first creative collection with Baiwa Designs.

Baiwa, created by Natasha Tamanabae, means “butterfly” in the Binandere language of Eraga, Oro Province, where the designs originate from.

This is the initiative of PNG Fashion and Design Week.

It will also include a fashion runway, according to director Janet Sios.

According to Sios, the night’s runway will feature Samoa Australian Sydney based international fashion designer Fey Penni, PNG’s very own Sarah Haoda Todd and emerging PNG young designer Natasha Tamanabae.

She says the three designers will be showcasing their labels in a mini-fashion show.

Small but significant, Sios says this event will lead to the main event to be held later in August of this year.

“We don’t really have a market anymore,” says Natasha Tamanabae, an emerging designer in the local scene.

Tamanbae’s Baiwa brand started off with her popular shoe range and has successfully matured into a fashion line including outfits.

But describing it from the designers view, the struggle is real.

Tamanabae says fabric is one of the most difficult things to find here in PNG.

“Major factor affecting our growth is because we cannot find the right material to use for our dresses so we have to order it overseas,” she says.

Last Saturday, BAIWA introduced a fresh look to PNG’s fashion industry, on the PNG Fashion Week Runway.

And it was indeed a secret worth waiting for, as owner and founder Natasha kept saying: “There will be a surprise.”

Moving outside the usual heavy traditional tapa design inspired pieces, the BAIWA on the Runway was more in-tune to the modern and young taste.

In collaboration with Anthony Wesley Evenett (Wesevo), the lass from Popondetta introduced funky-fresh outfits from bright, free hand-sprayed material.

Designers Natasha Tamanabae and Eva Pokawin, who attended the first day yesterday, have already expressed satisfaction.

Natasha of Elite Fashion Club said many designers, like herself, are very busy.

“I’m satisfied with what I’m seeing on the workshop.

“Having everyone here together in one place and telling us how they can support and help us, especially Small Medium Enterprise and National Development Bank, I really appreciate it,” she said.

Natasha also highlighted the importance to be educated on Intellectual Property, a topic that will be covered today.

Following from the Project Runway on July 30 that saw 10 local designers stage 71 outfits, the PNG Fashion week on August 20 will feature seven local designers.

From a designers view, these events are blessings as described by Natasha Tamanabae of Elite Fashion Club.

Tamanabae is an upcoming designer who has been making a name in the industry with her unique BAIWA brand and using these platforms to promote her brand.

“We need a platform, a place where we can sell our staff and also be recognised and also to promote PNG.