A daughter is someone you dream with, says Tina Vavari, a 52-year-old mother of six beautiful girls.
This week, Vavari’s fifth daughter, 18-year-old Natasha, will be participating as a model in the PNG Fashion Week runway, showcasing designs from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand.
Vavari, from Kapari in Central Province’s Abau District, said raising six girls inspired her to empower them to follow their dreams.
“I am thrilled that my daughter is part of the fashion industry. As any mother, I love seeing my child be confident and flourish in the path they choose,” she said.
“The fashion industry has helped my daughter grow into a confident young lady, and as long as she is passionate, I will continue to support herm.
“There have been challenges, as the fashion industry is fairly new, but my husband Jeffrey and I believe in our daughters. Their dreams are our dreams, and we continue to overcome these challenges to ensure they achieve the goals they set for themselves.”
Vavari often faced questions about why she supports her daughter’s pursuit of fashion, a young and emerging industry.
“Why wouldn’t I?” She explains, “Natasha is passionate about modelling, and I want to see her succeed in it. I hope that one day she will achieve her dream of becoming the best in the industry, to rise to the top, and to bring the industry to the next stage.”
She encouraged other parents who may be sceptical about their children pursuing a career in fashion to be supportive and guide them in whatever path they choose.
“The fashion industry may be new and young in our country, but it can take your child places and open many doors. You just have to believe in them and let them spread their wings,” Vavari advises.
“It’s not always easy to let them go, especially into an industry that’s still finding its footing here, but trust is mutual. Our children trust us to catch them when they fall, and we have to trust that they can and will make it on their own.”
Natasha will be one of the models walking the runway at the prestigious PNG Fashion Week this Saturday at APEC House, where designers from across the country, along with international designers from New Zealand and Fiji, will showcase their work.
