PNG tops NZ body art fashion awards

A PAPUA New Guinean design and body painter was awarded the 2009 New Zealand Westfield Pasifika Body Art Fashion prize.
William Jakk was one of the nine finalists who showcased their amazing and creative body art work at the Victor Arena in Auckland last weekend.
Jakk’s traditional body paint featured a huge ‘snake’ with various traditional artistic features from every province in PNG.
Unlike the other body art on show, PNG paints and costumes were traditionally flavoured, which captured the crowd’s imagination.
Jakk’s assistant designer, Lesley Bola, reported that the main arena went silent for a few seconds when the amazing and scary PNG ‘snake’ took to the stage.
The audience was stunned to see this unique creature parading along the runway with its very creative movement.
This year is the first time PNG has participated in the Westfield Style Pasifika Premier Fashion Award.