“Be bold and be brave,” were the words of encouragement echoed to the guests and participants during the Pacific Balance Fund-sponsored Project Runway on Saturday evening.
Hosted by the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Papua New Guinea, guests were treated to amazing and spectacular outfits created by 11 local fashion designers at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby.
MPIP PNG patron Lynda Babao-O’Neill said that it was a “privilege to again bear witness to the extraordinary talent of our Papua New Guinean designers”.
“I am proud to be associated with the Pacific Balanced Fund Project Runway, for it gives the opportunity for our designers to showcase their collections, not only here in Papua New Guinea but throughout the Pacific, particularly at the regional Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, which will be held this year in Fiji.”
She acknowledge support from sponsors and guests who attended the event, as well as visiting designers from the Pacific, who took the time to come out and participate and be judges in Project Runway.
The judges for the event include Bou Fonua from Tonga, Cecelia Keil from Samoa and Dr Katherine Lepani, the wife of former high commission to Australia Sir Charles Lepani.
“The Miss Pacific Islands PNG makes every effort to assist the designers collaborate with each other, and our brothers and sisters in the Pacific to establish the best that they can be. I truly believe that it is only through collaboration we can make PNG’s fashion industry sustainable,” she said.