And what a wonderful era we live in as we witness the evolution and growth of the local fashion industry giving us plenty to look forward to!! This issue pulls together contemporary Islanders who are proudly exhibiting their culture through fashion and design including Grace Lillian Lee from the Torres Straits, who’s skilfully incorporating weave and abalone with warrior prints and palm leaf – and don’t even get us started on her bodices. Meet Patricia Haroharo, one half of the Papua New Guinean sisters diving head first into their new fashion label Morie Siare and read about six scholarship winners under the Port Moresby Business and Professional Women’s Association scholarship program as we prepare a new fund with them for young women in arts and fashion. And you can’t miss the stunning collaboration between Kama Catch Me, Hair N Mkp Perfectionist and Torika Watters in Fiji. Speaking of Fiji, our guest artist is Vilikesa Rokosuka from Tailevu province. Also in this issue you can have a peek at Sokota, an arts project addressing non-communicable diseases in the Pacific, hear about Pauline’s personal decision to learn sign language to bridge gaps with the hearing impaired, and learn from Caroline Henao’s own experience with cervical cancer. We also explore the tourist attractions of New Zealand’s North Island, broach the topic of mixed heritage, and see how culture and economic growth go hand-in-hand in the islands.