It's official: October is Hawai'i Fashion Month

Travis K. Okimoto photo
Gov. Neil Abercrombie with some of the stylists, designers and faces of Hawaii's fashion future. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed October as Hawai'i Fashion Month during a preview event that took place Aug. 6 at The MODERN Honolulu.

As soon as I got there, people were asking, "Who are you wearing?" It turned out to be the question of the day, and the answer had better have been a local designer in keeping with the spirit of the day and October's big event, designed to put the spotlight on Hawaii as a destination for fashion travel, shopping, manufacturing and trade.

Signature events in October will include "OUTFIT: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market Oct. 2 and 3 at Ward Centers, a HiSAM Bridal and Formalwear Fashion Show and Exhibition Oct. 4, Fall Fashion Event Oct. 4 to 6 at Ala Moana Center, Hawaii Designer Fashion Show at Royal Hawaiian Center Oct. 24, and Governor's Fashion Awards Oct. 30 at the MODERN Honolulu. Visit www.hawaiifashionmonth.com for calendar and details.

The Guv was wearing an aloha shirt with a carp design by Hawaii Island's Sig Zane. At risk of offending other brand representatives in hand for the event, he explained that he "round robined" his wardrobe and that it was simply Sig's day, adding that with the growth in the industry, it's possible to wear a different local brand every day of the month.

Meanwhile, Sen. Will Espero, who made the opening remarks and introduced the governor, wore an 'Iolani shirt with a Ralph Lauren jacket, and mused that we need more local designers who could produce such jackets.

I'm wearing mostly local. As Gov. Neil Abercrombie pointed out, Hawaii fashion was once all about the exotic. Today, it's progressed to being everyday contemporary, and coincidentally, my story in the Aug. 8 issue of the Star-Advertiser is about summer whites and how Angels by the Sea designer Nina Thai tries to marry retro Hawaii ideas with contemporary pieces that would be at home anywhere in the world.

I agree. I have a fondness for structure. But, on this hot day, I happened to reach out for something cool and light and that happened to be a white, flowy dress by Angels by the Sea. I didn't plan on dressing local but it's easy to do in the summer because local designers do know a thing or two about warm-weather dressing and accessorizing. It turned out I was also wearing leather and suede floral slippers from Island Slipper, a headband by Florencia Arias, silver maile earrings by Renee Rokero, and rutilated quartz necklace by Kimberly Le. The non-natives were a white strawberry necklace from So Good Jewelry, bracelet from La Muse, Valentino Rockstud sunglasses from Nordstrom, and Valentino Nuage purse from Neiman Marcus. But, since those purchases came from local stores, not online, they still help support the local economy.

Before issuing his proclamation proclaiming October as Hawaii fashion month, Gov. Neil Abercrombie talked about his own relationship with fashion's players and Hawaii's fashion history over the past 50 years, including the vision of Hilo Hattie and energetic promotion of Hawaii by Surf Line Hawaii's founder Dave Rochlen, but said, "I'm looking at the future. I'm not looking backward."

Toward that end, Hawaii has secured a visa exception for visitors from Taiwan, and Abercrombie said he is working on getting a similar exception for travelers from China, exclusive to Hawaii for a trial period, and he believes shopping Hawaii's factories and manufacturing outlets is a natural selling point for visitors from Asia.

Nadine Kam photos
The Gov. (in Sig Zane) with a copy of the Hawai 'i Fashion Month proclamation. He's flanked by, from left, Sen. Will Espero (wearing Ralph Lauren with a Hilo Hattie aloha shirt), Hawaii Fashion Incubator co-founders Melissa White (in 'Iolani) and Toby Portner (in Manuheali'i).

Even if it's a niche market, he said, tours of Maui's lavender farm also started as a niche market that has grown into a big draw for tourists interested in the unique tour and attendant edibles and bath and body products.

With a certain amount of exclusivity and insider cachet built into such tours, travelers are certain to go home and tell all their friends about the unique designer finds they found in Hawaii.

With decades of experience in casual wear, Abercrombie said there's no reason Hawaii can't be a leader in producing swimwear, resort wear and hats, and become a leisure wear mecca for tourists.

Hifi co-founder Melissa White said, "We have the talent, the legacy, support and audience."

At the event, members of the fashion community were surrounded by displays depicting the diversity of the local industry. Featured here were aloha wear designs for the whole family, from Hawaiian Moon, part of the Hilo Hattie family.

Hats from Yellow Bird Bohemia.

Kidswear by Aloha Sand Co.

Dress and accessories by Beverly Horton, and separates by Allison Izu.

We know swimwear, of course.