Bertha and her bilum dresses

By PHOEBE GWANGILO
SINGLE mother-of-two Bertha Andamali makes dresses using the same principle used by women who make bilum.
Bertha, 49, designs and weaves her bilum-wear dresses herself to promote local designs and fashion.
“I incorporate the idea of a fashionable outfit into bilum wear – dresses, tops, skirts, coats, hats and bags.
“A roll of wool costs me K2. To make a dress, I use more than 30 rolls depending on the size of the dress.”
She employs girls to help in inter-lacing the wool, while she does the weaving herself.
“To complete a dress can take me two to three months. Other items take less time.”
Bertha is originally from Kandep in Enga and today lives in Port Moresby.
Since dropping out of Grade Six, she had been selling second-hand clothing at various locations in Port Moresby.
When her husband left her with their two children 20 years ago, Bertha decided to find ways to survive and provide for them.
She counts herself lucky to have brothers who support her in the bringing up of her children who have now moved out to live on their own.
In 2016, Bertha decided to design and make bilum dresses. She was happy when her dresses were considered good enough to be used by fashion models on the runway in Port Moresby.
“At first, I tried out a dress for my niece (brother’s daughter). I then made one for myself to wear together with my niece during Independence Day.”
It immediately caught the attention of others.
“Other families showed interest in the dresses. So I had to make theirs too. That interest in my talent pushed me into developing this business.”
She registered her small-medium enterprise in 2018 as the “Bertha’s Bilum Wear”.
“Most of my sales are done at home. I make dresses according to what customers order.”
Bertha used an opportunity last week to market her dresses during the five-day Independence Day market event in Port Moresby.
The Small-Medium Enterprise Market started on Sunday and ended on Thursday, Independence Day. She joined on Monday, Sept 13.
“I’m pleased with the National Capital District Commission because we were not charged any registration fees. It was free.”
The event at Ella Beach in Port Moresby really helped her market her dresses because she normally operates from home at Gordon Flat B, and Section 212, Lot 3 Ugava Street.
She thanks City Hall for the opportunity to display and promote her bilum dresses and bags.
Because of the time and effort she puts into making one dress, she sets the price accordingly.
“The prices of my dresses and items range from K500 to K1,000 – depending on the size and fashion.”
She hopes more people will support locally-owned small businesses such as hers to promote local talent and initiative.
“The objective of my business is to ensure a traditional form of fashion is designed to maintain the cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea.”
Bertha sees a bright future ahead, and is not looking back.

“ I incorporate the idea of a fashionable outfit into bilum wear – dresses, tops, skirts, coats, hats and bags.”