PNG BILUM HEADWEAR FEATURES IN VOGUE AUSTRALIA May 10, 2016 09:41

 

Recently I have been been working with Bilum weaving communities in the Papua New Guinea highlands, developing handicraft products  for export, connecting regional co-operatives to international markets. 

 In remote Mt Hagen I collaborated with Bilum weavers to interpret traditional practices into contemporary pull-on headwear, beanies and berets. Reinterpreting skills that had been passed down and shared by generations of women before them, the small group of weavers spontaneously morphed two dimensional bag techniques into three dimensional hat forms before my very eyes.

 

Pictured with Miriam Joshua, making a Bilum beanie.

Coincidentally back in Australia, local fashion magazines were seeking beanies and berets for their upcoming editorial photo shoots.

The 2016 March issue of Vogue Australia featured the work of Barbra Pagasa from Mt Hagen, her bilum hat paired with a contemporary Chanel suit, modelled by French actress Mathilde Ollivier.

 

               

 While Australia and Papua New Guinea are geographically close, they are worlds apart. Bringing these two worlds together expresses an openness of spirit to fuse innovations from afar.

Thank you Vogue Australia for inviting PNG women into the Australian fashion conversation.

The black nylon beret pictured has a sleek texture and is ideal for day or evening wear for both men and women. PNG Bilum beanies and berets from Goroka and Mt Hagen are now on sale in my retail store on Saturdays 10am-5pm or by appointment.

 

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