Breakfast with fashionista Anna Amos

Conversation: Breakfast with …

ANNA AMOS FASHION AND TEXTILE DESIGNER

BY MARY ASEARI | PHOTOGRAPH: GODFREEMAN KAPTIGAU

Why have you chosen this cafe for breakfast?

I chose the Port Moresby Nature Park cafe for breakfast because I don’t like modern structures. I love nature and my peace and quiet, and the cafe has an infusion of all these elements.

Do you usually eat breakfast?

I don’t usually eat breakfast. As a mum, most times I only prepare breakfast for my kids.

Tea or coffee?

I’m more of a coffee person.

What have you ordered today?

I ordered potato wedges and a doughnut – simple yet delicious. Also, as I mentioned I’m a coffee person, so I ordered a cup of coffee to go with my meal.

Your fashion label is called AA Tribal. Why is it called that? Well, ‘AA’ is for my name, ‘Anna Amos’, and because I am into textile, I really want to bring the Papua New Guinean tribal prints out into the international arena and world market.

What inspires your designs?

Unquestionably my place of origin is my biggest inspiration. I come from the district of Gumini, which is a remote area in Chimbu Province. My place is very remote and is full of natural designs. I’d say the second thing that inspires me is the reaction of the people that follow my work. When they admire my work and give me that ‘wow’ reaction it becomes the driving force and pushes me to create more quality and authentic PNG content.

Tell us a bit about your pathway into design.

My decision to be a designer was largely influenced by my place of origin and family. My brother graduated from the National Arts School, so he was part of the reason I decided to go to arts school. I got into textiles and graduated with a diploma. I went overseas and then worked with a few non-government organisations in PNG, before joining the University of PNG as a lecturer under the creative arts strand. It took me a while to develop my designing skills and to bring them out in full force for people to enjoy.

My place of origin is my biggest inspiration. I come from the district of Gumini. My place is very remote and is full of natural designs.

What are some of the highlights of your design career?

Every year I design for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG. I also take part in the South Pacific Festival of Arts. I have participated in several other international platforms, like the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show in New Zealand and the London Pacific Fashion Week in the UK.

Do you think the PNG fashion industry has potential to grow?

Yes, definitely. We might not be at the level where developed countries are at in terms of fashion, but if we (as a society)

can colour coordinate the design elements in our everyday wear, or match our accessories with our clothing, that is an indication that we are aware of and awake to the fashion trends that are available. I believe PNG has the potential to grow in the fashion industry and we are getting there, we just need to fine tune. When are you releasing your next collection and what might we expect? My next collection will appear at the Dubai World Expo (opening in October). You should expect to see more tribal patterns.

Anna Amos wants to introduce Papua New Guinean tribal prints to the world.