Wari: Preserve Culture through Fashion

Designer, shop owner and second-time PNG Fashion Week runway participant Bathsheba Wari from Central is amongst other designers to take on the runway in the 2024 PNG FW this September in Port Moresby.

Ms Wari will be showcasing her collection named “Bird of Paradise. The collection is inspired by the striking beautiful bird of Paradise, celebrated for its vibrant plumage and graceful movement.

Her collection also showcases bold colors integrated with her mother’s tattoo designs capturing the bird’s exotic charm.

The collection aims to focus on elegance and dramatic flair, each piece embodies the spirit of the Bird of Paradise, offering a unique blend of nature-inspired beauty and high fashion.

There’s story behind everything so as the Ms Wari design.

When Bethsheba was just a little girl her mother used to tell her stories about her youth days in the village, the rituals and stages towards womanhood and culture practice of tattooing for young girls in the community.

It’s fascinating to heard about these stories and not seeing it practiced often in the community to this error.

“I preserve my mother’s tattoos on clothing that I design.

“My goal is to Preserve my culture through fashion. Display traditional art (of where I come from) on clothing, accessories which are wearable and trendy.

“My current collection for this Runway will consist of motifs of traditional tattoos.

The run way is in a month time but that does not stop Bethsheba to prepare her design clothes in advance for the event.

Ms Wari will be showcasing Seven Male and Seven Female garments of formal wear with Aroma Tattoo motifs and a TID.

The interest of designing began when Ms War was in university who began to do sketches in her note book.

“Gained interest in designing during my university studies where my major was involved with the study of Culture. I found it fascinating to learn about different cultures around the world and I developed interest preserving culture through fashion”  she added.

In 2023, her the designs found in the pages slowly turned into fabric and with no further wait, Ms Wari opened her shop in Port Moresby at Garden City and selling her products.

She is currently selling on of her recent Island collection in her shop.

“My brand name is Charms BW, where you can follow on Facebook. I have a number of new collections but are still in my sketch books as I am busy with my full-time job.

Miss Wari is grateful for the opportunity to displays her work to everyone not just in PNG but around the world.

Like everyone who have bigger dream and for Bethsheba she hopes to become an international designer specialized in Haute Couture integrated with PNG art.

“I want to encourage and inspire local people to participate in the Garment and Fashion industry as these are money making industries where they can make a living.