florence skin pik bilum crossbody

AMONG EQUALS is a not-for-profit brand that merges art and fashion with the beauty of traditional Bilum weaving. We are dedicated to providing artisan weavers from Papua New Guinea with a platform to sell their Bilum globally. Our mission is to celebrate and amplify their craft by significantly expanding their market, bringing Bilum to the global fashion market. The Weaver, Florence, known as Bilum Meri. Florence has been vital to the success of Among Equals since its founding and is fiercely passionate about building a platform for the weavers. "I am strong for the weavers, I see them as sisters. These women now have the strength to stand up and be their own trader. It is a business for them, too, and that is very empowering."
The Skin Pik design is local to Goroka and symbolizes when when women came together to eat, those with higher status were treated to finer parts of the pig, the women of lower status were left to wait. The design speaks of independence and empowerment.
This Bilum is handwoven from acrylic and wool yarn as well as up-cycled knitwear using traditional weaving techniques.