Fashion industry needs support to grow: Sios

THE fledgling fashion design industry in Papua New Guinea needs to be supported for it to grow as it is a proven income earner, a businesswoman says.
PNG Fashion and Design Week (PFDW) founder Janet Sios said the positive socioeconomic impact of the budding fashion and design sector needed to be recognised by the Government and supported as a legitimate economic endeavour to support the growth of the clothing and apparel wear industry in PNG.
“Everybody wears clothing and in every family you find someone who can knit or sew, a person who can draw or sketch a design,” she said.
“Mother’s selling sewn garments on the streets, at markets or in front of their homes.
“Youths screen printing designs on fabric, shirts, laplaps, bags, you name it.
“We see the sector alive everywhere but more focus must be given by our leaders to allow for real industry growth.”
The New Ireland native said established designers continued to struggle to source manufacturers oversees to mass produce garments for sale; it is a timely and costly process, and small businesses are struggling.
“The market landscape is tough, coupled by the harsh economic climate and high cost of living and doing business in PNG,” she said.
“Most fashion designers are experiencing slow business growth despite high demand on their products.”
Sios said copyright issues were also a grave concern.