PNG Fashion week is hosting its 2024 Runway this evening on the eve of the country's 49th independence anniversary, to celebrate showcase the work of local designers. The fashion show, which is now in its seventh year, has progressed and developed immensely and now for this year’s show, has collaborated with a designer and two models from Fiji Fashion Week who have also travelled to join in on this occasion. According to Director of PNG Fashion Week, Philma Kelegai, the reason behind the collaboration with Fiji Fashion Week is to lift their game; bring in the expertise as the fashion industry can contribute significantly to the economy of the country. “Fashion is a billion-dollar industry globally and we should take advantage of that in terms of economy. Push our brand further! Collaboration helps boost this industry as well as help our people grow and will also strengthen tourism.” With the collaboration, this will also help both the PNG local models and designers with the Fijians to learn a lot from an international standard and progress further from there, This is the main aim in which Kelegai has elaborated on to push the local talented ones out from their comfort zones and try something new and exciting. In addition to this, Fiji Designer, Temesia Tuicaumia, shared excitement on coming to the country to showcase some of what he has produced and share with other talented designers as well, especially the local ones. Tuicaumia will be focusing and showcasing particularly men’s wear in which he has always been a men’s wear fashion influencer. “With PNG Independence which is just the next day after our fashion show, what a great way it will be to showcase PNG on the runway.” Moreover, with the event’s theme, ‘Ascension,’ Tuicaumia shared sentiments upon reflecting on the theme in which he stated that the word, ‘elevate,’ was the first word that came to mind when thinking about the theme. He further stated that from one Melanesian nation to another, this is a great way and experience to share the different cultures both have. The runway show will have a total of eleven local designers as well as two international designers from Fiji and New Zealand that will be showcasing their collections on the night. Out of the eleven designers, three are emerging designers who will also be taking part for the first time in such a big event. Fifty models, including two international models from Fiji, will also be walking the runway. In addition to this, adding to the runway event, Air Niugini will be showcasing their new uniform during the pre-show before the actual event starts. The event is to take place at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby with the show to start at 4.30PM. Limited tickets are still on sale at the Rangeview Plaza, which is K500 for VIP in Row One and includes own bar. K300 for Row Two, K200 for Row Three and K100 for Row Four. Prizes for the winners will also be announced and given based on best performance. The top prize is K10, 000 to be awarded to the best designer of the night, K5, 000 for emerging designer and K2, 000 for innovation award, K2, 000 for the textile wool and K2, 000 for the model of the year. Another prize which will be included on the night is Air Niugini’s Excellence award in which Air Niugini will judge and decide on the winner. Air Niugini will be adding two prizes to the prize pool; one to award a designer, which is the Air Niugini Excellence award in which that designer will fly to Fiji to participate in the Fiji Fashion Week 2025. The other is the Excellence award, which is for a model to take part in the same event next year.