Papua New Guinea’s celebrated designer and cultural advocate, Florence Jaukae Kamel—widely known as the “Bilum Meri”—has been officially announced as the headlining designer for PNG Fashion Week 2025. In a further affirmation of her influence, Kamel will also represent Papua New Guinea at Fiji Fashion Week, stepping in for fellow designer William Maba Bray under the official banner of PNG Fashion Week.
A passionate voice for cultural preservation and women’s empowerment, Kamel has consistently pushed the boundaries of Indigenous textile art through her mastery of bilum weaving. Her upcoming headline runway show in Port Moresby will debut a new couture collection, positioning bilum as a dynamic force in contemporary fashion. The collection is expected to highlight a fusion of ancestral weaving techniques with modern design elements, all crafted with natural fibers and traditional methods passed down through generations of Papua New Guinean women.
From her early days weaving in Goroka to exhibiting internationally in institutions such as the Australian Museum, Auckland Museum, and Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, Kamel’s journey exemplifies the global potential of PNG’s cultural heritage. Her career has not only spotlighted bilum as a fashion statement but also elevated it as a medium of identity and empowerment.
“Bilum is more than fashion—it’s identity, it’s womanhood, and it’s power,” Kamel said. “To headline PNG Fashion Week and represent our country in Fiji is both an honor and a responsibility I carry on behalf of all our women.”
Beyond artistic significance, Kamel’s headlining show will serve a greater cause. It will act as a fundraising platform for the newly formed PNG Fashion Designers Association (PNG FDA), a collective designed to unite and empower local designers, raise industry standards, and support professional development across the country.
“This is not just a runway show—it’s a movement,” said Philma Kelegai, Managing Director of PNG Fashion Week. “Florence’s collection will help lay the foundation for the PNG Fashion Designers Association, which is critical to shaping a more sustainable and collaborative future for our national fashion industry.”
Kamel’s selection to represent PNG at Fiji Fashion Week comes as a result of William Maba Bray’s unavailability to travel due to personal reasons. However, Bray will debut a new exclusive collection later this year at the Bilum Festival in Goroka, ensuring his creative presence remains active within the national scene.
Kamel will present her collection in Suva, Fiji, as part of a broader regional fashion exchange initiative. Her participation not only raises PNG’s profile on the international fashion stage but also strengthens creative and diplomatic bonds within the Pacific region.
“Florence is a natural choice,” said Ms. Kelegai. “She is one of the most respected voices in Pacific fashion. Her work embodies culture, craftsmanship, and social purpose. We are honoured to have her represent PNG in Fiji.”
As the founder of Jaukae Bilum Products, Kamel has built a nationwide network of women artisans across Goroka, Madang, Lae, Chimbu, and Mount Hagen. These women craft bilum works for both fashion and practical use, contributing meaningfully to the economic empowerment of women—especially single mothers and those living in rural communities.
“I started weaving out of necessity—to provide for my children,” Kamel shared. “Now, I do it to uplift others. Bilum has become a tool not just for survival, but for transformation and dignity.”
Florence Jaukae Kamel is scheduled to travel to Fiji for the 2025 Fashion Week, where she will once again elevate the voices of Papua New Guinean women and artisans on the international runway. Following her showcase abroad, her headlining runway show at PNG Fashion Week will take place on Friday, September 19, at APEC Haus.
This highly anticipated event promises to be a defining moment in PNG’s fashion calendar—a celebration of tradition (kastom), creativity, and purpose. Proceeds will directly benefit the PNG Fashion Designers Association, supporting the development of industry infrastructure, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy efforts nationwide.
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