Designer Delilah making waves in clothes industry

By MAJELEEN YANEI
LOCAL designer and businesswoman Delilah Goni developed an early interest in clothes after watching her mother sew and weave.
“Growing up, my mother who does sewing and weaving always urges me to help her after school, sewing blouses to sell during the weekend.”
Today, she runs her own business – Delco Elegance Shop – which she registered with the Investment Promotion Authority in 2015.
Delilah, 33, the youngest in a family of five, comes from a mix parentage of Goroka and Chimbu. She however was brought up in Western Highlands.
She remembers the tough upbringing they had, and how they were taught by their parents to be self-dependent.
“I would carry packets of lollies to school to sell as there were many of us in the family. It helped pay for my school fees until I finished college. It has become part of me, as my parents trained my siblings and me to be independent, and not depending on them.”
She graduated with a Diploma in Human Resources at the International Training Institute and worked for various companies before setting up the business.
“I inherited the weaving skills from my mother. My passion grew and today I can weave anything using wool and other traditional ropes.”
She displayed her woven woolen dresses and other garments at the 2023 Paradise runway where she was declared the winner of the national designer award.
“I won K10,000 and a trophy as the first prize because I used my traditional-inspired designs to weave different dresses, coats, shirts, trousers and other garments. It is not about the money, but the exposure.”

“ I inherited the weaving skills from my mother. My passion grew and today I can weave anything using wool and other traditional ropes.”

She wants her products to attract local and international customers.
“Most of my inspiration comes from Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands and Chimbu, but this will change in the next runway when I will feature all provinces.”
Delilah does most of her garments and products herself. But she started hiring old and young people in the remote parts of Western Highlands to help her, providing them with a source of income.
She had started with false hair-braiding, then after seeing competition in hair-styling, she turned to face makeup. And when she saw that hair and makeup were important for people attending major events, she set up her Delco’s runway in Mt Hagen.
Local designers entered the runway to display the bilum they designed. The runway was also to let them know that they can produce more than just the bilum.
She also hopes that the Government can provide assistance to people who have a passion in art and craft to help boost the economy.
Delilah believes that local designers need support to display and sell their products here and overseas in support of the national economy.
“Government is focusing more on sports without investing in our natural skills. Anyone can be trained to play rugby, but you cannot train someone to have a passion in art.”
She plans to expand her business overseas and create an association to share her skills with local women.
“Most women know how to do things but lack exposure. We cannot sit and expect miracles, or blame the government. We have do come out of our comfort zone and make things happen ourselves.”
Delilah blames the high unemployment rate on people who are too lazy to look for things around them they can use or do to sustain their lives.
“My intention at the runway was not to win but to inspire young people – telling them that they can do anything if they set their minds to it.”