PNG Fashion and Design Week

The UPNG Runway was a platform for university students who aspire in the fashion industry to showcase their passion and skills in art and design.

Thirty models and seven designers were selected to showcase their designs to the student body and in front of the PNGFNDW Judges. The three top designers; Susan Maiasa, Edith Tubal, and Zamma Eliakim along with the top ten models will take part in the main PNGFNDW Runway “Fashion for Peace” in August.

The fashion body introduced PNG's bilum meri, Florence Jaukae Kamel, to the Pacific Fashion International Runway last Saturday.

The JFK collection was the winner from the PNG Fashion and Design Week 2017 early this month.

In true PNG fashion, JFK showcased the bilum dresses on this platform.

"While everyone came with printed fabric and other styles, I brought PNG bilum, hand twisted and woven. This is another opportunity I'm proud of," she said.

8 of these designers have established brands such as the famous bilum meri – Florence Jaukae Kamel and Baiwa designer, Natasha Tamanabae.

Two others are emerging designers – Relvie Kalip and Heai Ugava.

Despite various background in the industry, each has a task to drive the message of climate change.

All designers will tell their story of climate change through their collections and what their people are doing to be resilient.

The “Fashion x Climate Change” fashion show is set to take place on October 7 at the Gateway Hotel and Apartments.

The event is set to take place at the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex at Waigani, Port Moresby.

The announcement also comes with some clarification of its transition this year.

The body was introduced last year as PNG Fashion Week and its first runway show hosted on August 20^th, 2016, showcasing 7 talented local designers under the theme Tribal Electic.

Founder and director Janet Sios said it has rebranded its image and will now be known as ‘PNG Fashion and Design Week’, a formally registered company under IPA.

This year, it’s a walk to talk climate change.

PNG Fashion and Design Week will be hosting its runway from the 5^th to 7^th October with the theme: Fashion x Climate Change.

Incoming CEO Christopher Lam said climate change is a pressing issue that needed to be further known, hence the theme.

He noted PNG, as an island nation, is facing the issue mostly through rising sea levels and unpredictable weather patterns.