By Sharlyne Eri – EMTV News, Lae
About 100 participants of a fashion workshop in Morobe Province, graduated as emerging designers on Wednesday, April 10. The participants included mothers, youths and persons with disabilities. The workshop was organised by the PNG Fashion and Design Week in partnership with the Australian Government.
On Wednesday, inside the Resource Centre at Butibum Village, was a colorful display of garments portraying originality and creativity. The garments were the finished products of individuals who completed a two-week training in fashion and designing. Most of the participants had no background in sewing, but a desire to learn something new – this was a first for Morobe Province.
A mother from Butibum, Judith Lou, was one without any knowledge or background in sewing. But after graduating yesterday, Judith says her days of paying other women to sew her meri-blouses were now over.
Participants were privileged to have renowned PNG designers, Anna Amos and Tabu Pele as their trainers.
A member of the organising committee Sasha Pei-lovo, said the turnout was good despite the fact that Morobeans are so reserved when it come to fashion and design.
What made this two-week workshop more special was the fact that it was inclusive and gave people with special needs a chance to showcase their skills.
With the skills learnt, most of the participants say they will be venturing into SMEs like textile and screen printing. Others like young Peniel Numen, says he will be using what he learnt to contribute to a rugby union team that he plays for.
The graduates commenced with a business training workshop today, under the initiative of the same organising committee. This training will end next week. It is particularly for participants who are thinking of starting a business after the fashion workshop.
Similar workshops will be conducted in Rabaul from the 22nd of April to the 7th of May.
