HFM: A celebration of 'Fashion as Art' at HiSAM

 Nadine Kam photos
Models tread carefully on the wet glass tiles of the Hawaii State Art Museum's Sculpture Garden during a First Friday show of bridal and evening wear featuring the work of 15 local designers.

Adding a touch of glamour to First Friday festivities on Oct. 4 was the Hawai'i Fashion Month double bill of the HiSAM bridal and formal wear fashion show and "The Way We Wear" exhibition, which ran from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum.

The fashion show was free, one of the signature events of Hawai‘i Fashion Month, with designers showcasing evening and bridal gowns in the open air of the HiSAM sculpture garden, with a soundscape by DJ Teley Brandon. Featured designers were Nicole Vermillion, Lauren Tiburcio, Beverly Horton, Bernard Foong, Sarah Yama­shige, Randy A. Leano, Jaclyn Mae Santos, Chun Hui Chen, Sahra Indio, Feliz Salas, Ryan Hana­oka, Erin Midori Ludolph, Breanne Lee, Alegra Matsuo Mossman and Michele Y. Matsuo.

Attendees were encouraged to don black-tie and evening attire in keeping with the theme.

The evening started with a rain blessing, which ended with the start of the show, but started to come down hard, timed to the show's finale, which brought out either cheers or screams from fans. It was hard to tell which, but by show's end, visitors watching from the second-floor gallery had begun to scatter.


Non-flash video

All agreed the show was beautiful, though those of us who love fashion were saddened by the idea of the designers going home with gowns with wet hems. Maybe there's a good dry cleaner in town who is willing to offer their services.

The event also marked the opening of "The Way We Wear," an exhibit offering a glimpse into local culture through clothing from various times and places, with garments from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' Art in Public Places Program and on loan from the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Historic Costume Museum.

The free exhibition will continue through Jan. 18 in the Diamond Head Gallery. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, except state and federal holidays. The museum is also open for First Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. (galleries close at 8:30 p.m.) monthly.
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HiSAM is at 20 S. Hotel St. Call 586-0300.

At left, Corin Gentry stopped to pose after the show with designer Erin Ludolph, right, and her model Mahina Alexander, and Condesa-Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry.

Designer Beverly Horton was one of the few designers to go with print. Her dress flowed beautifully on the runway.

Designer Feliz Salas with her feathered creation.

 Designer Jaclyn Mae Santos with her model, whose gown is made with fabric that came courtesy of HFM supporter Surf Line Hawaii. The back of the gown featured Jams World's colorful custom buttons.

After the show, it was fun catching up with stylist Geremy Campos, artist Melissa Rivera and M33Ms jewelry designer Emiko Miyazawa. According to Melissa, we could all learn some great dance moves from Emiko.

The men in black at the door, from left, Thomas Jacobs, Desmond Centro and Nathan Nielson, were dressed in Celebrity Tuxedos formal wear. The former Sears shop has a new location at 1400 Kapiolani Boulevard, its first free-standing store. Other locations are at Sears Pearlridge and Sears Windward Mall. Desmond is also the model featured in a spread I styled for HI Luxury magazine's current issue.

Designer Maggie Coloumbe, right, came in from Maui to share her designs in the museum shop. She's with Julia Steele, a State Foundation on Culture and the Arts commissioner.

Model Sheronita was among those who attended the event.

A queen's holomu'u is one of the garments on display at the Hawai'i State Art Museum in conjunction with Hawai'i Fashion Month.

A mix of textiles and mixed media artwork help to tell the story of fashion in Hawaii in "The Way We Wear" exhibition.

The best art provokes a response. On our way out of the museum, Melissa Rivera, Emiko Miyazawa and George Quaiver pause to interact with a work by Jason Teraoka.

Fashion enthusiasts watched the fashion show from the museum's second-story balcony.