Wantok Clothing

This will be the third year for business partners Henry Iyaro and Genevieve Igara – Faleva.

The duo won the Traditionally Inspired Dress (TID) category at the 2017 MPIP PNG project runway last night.  

Among 10 other creative designs, Wantok Clothing’s TID spoke wonders, amazing the crowd and blowing away the judge.

The TID design worn by model Sheilla Yama, was a representation of their name Wantok, which reflects on relationships.

Winning outfit

Winner of the inaugural Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year Award, Genevieve Igara-Falevai, the designer and founder of Wantok Clothing, showcased her label’s unique on 21 October.

An accidental fashion designer, Genevieve passed on a career in economics to follow her passion to create beautiful garments with a Papua New Guinean twist.

Starting her label in 2015, Genevieve has been awarded Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Project Runway 2015 and 2016; Stella Runway 2016 Designer of the Year; and dresser for Miss Papua New Guinea 2015 and 2016.

Henry Iyaro of Wantok Clothing said this when asked how he felt to be the stylist for Miss PNG entrant to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Samoa in December.

Henry is the design partner of Genevieve Igara - Faleva, of Wantok clothing.

It is a joint family business and 100 per cent PNG owned and operated.

Wantok Clothing was the stylist for Miss PNG entrant last year, who won the best sarong and went on to being crowned Miss Pacific Island.