Designers showcase talents via fashion show

A FASHION show recently held in Kokopo, East New Britain, proved a success with a number of local designers able to showcase their designs and market their services to the public.
Joies Tailoring Fashion Roadshow, which attracted entrants from around Kokopo and ENB technical vocational education training (Tvet) school, was initiated by PNG Fashion and Design founder and director Janet Sios.
Sios said the lucrative industry had picked up since its establishment a couple years ago.
She said the introduction of fashion and design training conducted in Kokopo last year saw potential designers, particularly women, attend the course. They produced new designs and fashion wear.
“The fabric designs workshop that was conducted here has already started the momentum with designers coming up with various traditional designs from their own area which were showcased,” Sios said.
She said ENB was one of Papua New Guinea’s tourist attractions and while visitors came to see and experience the historical and geographical sites, the people and culture were big draw cards and the local fashion industry would add to that appeal.
Sios said it would allow local fashion and the country to be promoted to international visitors.
“The respective district development authorities need to support this lucrative industry which will really promote our culture abroad as we have seen through our tabu or Tolai shell money is known internationally while our meri blouses are famous,” she said.
Sios said other notable PNG designers in Annette Sete and Anna Emos had gotten their starts from such trainings.