Fashion designers go into textile industry

TWO fashion designers have joined hands in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the fast-growing fashion industry in Papua New Guinea.
Lavagirl, the Kokopo-based fashion brand and maker of Lavagirl jewelry, has signed in with Ui Tiki Fashion, PNG’s first online fashion retailer to customise earrings for its “Aneru” collection.
Ui Tiki’s Aneru collection focuses on resort wear that is inspired by traditional tattoos of the people of the Aroma coast in the Abau district of Central. It is owned and managed by Luania Temu based in Port Moresby.
“Aneru translates to Angel and what started out as a tribute to our grandmother has become a statement line that pays homage to the strength and wisdom of our people and culture,” Temu said.
The collaboration will see Lavagirl customising a range of earrings for the Ui Tiki Fashion.
“We are selling our pieces to a growing number of retailers. But this is the first time we are customising a range for another designer and fashion retailer” said Annette Sete, founder of the Lavagirl brand and Maku Gifts.
“It’s exciting really.”
“As well as working with another PNG sister in this industry, it’s that attitude to want help other start-ups that’s inspiring and motivating.”
The first lots of earrings were presented to Ui Tiki Fashion last week.
“We are absolutely honoured to partner with Maku Gifts to create such amazing pieces of jewellery that are unique to our Aneru brand and culture,” Temu said.
“To know that the pieces are handmade in Papua New Guinea by locals in Kokopo reiterates
the importance of how collaborating with our own artisans and artists is so important to the development and progress of our SME sector.”