The APEC Haus lit up on Friday night for Papua New Guinea’s very first National Kolos Runway, proving local fashion was about a lot more than clothes.

Put together by PNG Fashion Week, the historic showcase put home-based tailors, community dressmakers, and small business owners front and center.

Most of these creators worked out of their own houses and local communities, balancing family life with keeping PNG heritage alive through needle and thread.

The goal was simple: show off local talent, put PNG-made work on the map, and help small businesses grow.

Five designers brought their best work to the stage.

Susan Kumulgo, 47, represented Simbu Province with Ruma Tailoring, showing the kind of steady, hard-earned skill coming out of the highlands.

48-year-old Judy Judah, from Morobe, who showed work from Kumul Fly and Ambai Spice, proving local makers often wore more than one creative hat.

At just 21, Rojenya Dorea from Madang Province showed why young people were changing the game with Simares Mer Tailoring.

Another 21-year-old rising star, Abigail Mark from Morobe Province, brought fresh energy and sharp cuts with Lenke Tamoi Tailoring.

Rounding out the first part of the program for the night was Shirley Awai, 52, who brought designs from Giftsilver Fashion Design, blending styles from Oro and Milne Bay.

Every ticket sold went straight back into supporting these women, building up local brands, and backing the future of PNG fashion.