Bilum and Bilas artisan weaving signature discs used in the jewellery collections

Our Story


OUR JEWELLERY & BILUM RANGE UNITES TRADITIONAL PNG CULTURE WITH DESIGNER AESTHETICS TO CREATE PIECES FOR A STAND-OUT STYLE WITH A MEANINGFUL STORY.

EACH PIECE IS HANDWOVEN BY PAPUA NEW GUINEAN FEMALE ARTISANS EMPLOYED FOR THEIR UNIQUE TRADITIONAL SKILLS, FOSTERING EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES. 

Our story starts in 2008 when founder, Jessica Cassell, moved to Papua New Guinea from the UK to volunteer on an HIV awareness project. She fell deeply in love with bilums (woven string bags) and the earthy, traditional jewellery (bilas) found there, yet the beauty of these works of arts stood in stark contrast to the daily struggles and poverty of the women that made them. 

Over years of living in Port Moresby, Jessica curated an impressive collection of bilums and baskets and got to know many of the makers and artisans. Getting to know these women, she saw first-hand how hard life was and always heard the same concern; “We need more sales”.

Jessica knew that she had the power to make a difference and in 2014 started an online bilum store to help bilum weavers and artisans generate a better income.

Through the bilum store she learnt what huge opportunity there was for the unique traditional skills of Papua New Guinean artisans and started to explore new designs and products.

Bilum weaver supplier to Bilum and Bilas in PNG

In the beginning, communication was challenging and it became obvious the only way to work was through close collaboration, side by side with weavers. As weavers lived a hand to mouth existence, they could not afford the time to sit and develop samples and engage in exploration in the hope that it may mean more orders and better sales in the future. They needed immediate income to support their families. 

Jessica knew then that a need existed for the women to receive pay in exchange for their time exploring and collaborating on designs and the idea of an employment model was born. 

WHAT IF WE BUILT A BRAND THAT EMPLOYED ARTISANS TO CREATE AMAZING PRODUCTS USING THEIR TRADITIONAL WEAVING SKILLS?

The intricate craftsmanship, traditional process and labour that goes into creating a bilum is what makes them unique, but also means they can’t be produced at a scale where artisans can be employed to make them from scratch.

The cost to produce them in this way would not be viable. Bilum & Bilas’ contemporary jewellery range was developed as a solution to this issue, becoming a complimentary product range in addition to bilums.

Creating intricate representations of bilum in jewellery streamlines the making process, enabling optimisation of production to create stable and secure jobs for Papua New Guinean women with these unique skills.

The result is a collection of tactile pieces inspired by the beauty and essence of the bilum whilst retaining the traditional weaving techniques and natural fibres, yet in micro form. 

Today, our range has grown to include lifestyle products and tells a story of purpose, elevation and refinement, reflected in the everyday style of the discerning women that wear Bilum & Bilas.

Bilum and Bilas artisans showing signature handwoven discs created for the jewellery collection