INTERVIEW with Delilah Goni - Delco’s Art Work || Island Haus Runway 2026 Designer
SD: Hi, Delilah. For my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?
DG: Hello. My name is Delilah Goni. My brand name is “Delco's Art Work” and I create bilum fashions, and every day wear.
SD: What challenges did you face when you started your own label, and what advice would you give young aspiring designers?
DG: Growing up, it was a struggle for me. I’m from a Province that have no idea of what’s culture and fashion is. But I didn’t give up because I believe in changes and the development of my potential. In Papua New Guinea, everyone keeps on inspiring and motivating each other to utilise our gifts to create own employment and collaborate with the outside world while keeping up with today's fashion and technology.
SD: Does art in all its forms play a major part in your life?
DG: As Papua New Guineans, we are are natural blessed with skills that’s inherited from generation to generation and by learning through our parents. Art is our daily lifestyle, we eat and breathe art in Papua New Guinea and our focus on art plays a major role now in inspiring many entrepreneurs in Papua New Guinea - just like me, using art and passion to sustain my daily life.
SD: How do you select the materials that are used in the clothes?
DG: If you have a good taste in colours and fashion, it’s easy. Inline with that, now looking at the outside world, I have to study the taste and colours when building a garment. Most people now will like natural colours therefore our Papua New Guinea’s natural fibers are present when worn, gives a traditional highlight of Papua New Guinea.
SD: What are your plans for the future, and what can we expect in the coming years?
DG: My plan for the future is to inspire all Papua New Guineans to start utilising their skills and resources to create work and employment. We can be manufacturers and produce a lot of Papua New Guinea designers.
SD: Without giving too much detail away, what should we expect from your collection for Island Haus Runway?
DG: Expect to see white bilums in common blending in different colours, bush vines and traditionally inspired, “Bal”, and fine traditional bilums from my province, WHP (Western Highlands Province.
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Island Haus Runway:
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Delco’s Art Work:
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