Days are counting down for one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest fashion show, the annual NGCB Paradise Runway, which will take place on the 16th of September at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. This will be the sixth year that PNG Fashion Week is preparing for after launching this year’s theme, “Voyager”. According to PNG Fashion Week Director and Founder, Philma Kelegai, they chose this theme to signify storytelling told through the textiles and fashions and just like every other year, new and different designers come on board to showcase their talents. “This year we are excited to announce that we will be having a total of sixteen designers who will be showcasing their designs and talents. We have designers flying in from Lae, Popondetta, Mount Hagen and even Brisbane, so we are expecting new faces and new talents.” Kelegai also shared with PNGHAUSBUNG the excitement of seeing new designers along with new and exciting ideas about how Papua New Guinea (PNG) can be expressed though fashion. “We are definitely excited to create new opportunities for others to shine and that is what we are looking forward to the most come the 16th of September.” With the modelling auditions that took place last month (June) at the Hilton Hotel, a total of 65 models were selected to take part in the runway. “We have been rehearsing with our models at our venue partner, Hilton Port Moresby every weekend until show time.” Meanwhile, in its third year, SP Export has taken the naming rights of the PNG Fashion Awards. Kelegai said that it is important that they recognize and celebrate fashion designers and artists who create incredible works of art, and the partnership with SP Export allows them to give these fashion designers and artists that freedom. The prizes that will be awarded during the event will include a K10, 000 cash prize to the SP Export Designers of the Year, a K5, 000 cash prize to the SP Export Rising Star and so much more. Furthermore, Kelegai stated that the runway will be held on Independence Day because they believe there are many ways PNG can express its culture and one is through fashion.