Honolulu Fashion Week 2015: Kini Zamora presents Spring/Summer 2016 collection

Nadine Kam photos
Kini Zamora posed backstage after his fashion show at the Hawai’i Convention Center.

BY NADINE KAM

Kini Zamora has been one busy guy, traveling to Austin, Tex., in August for “Project Runway’s “Werk” fashion show, to Fashion Week Los Angeles in October, and opening his shop The Clique by KZ, last month.

And sending 40 looks down the runway during his Spring/Summer 2016 showcase at Honolulu Fashion Week on Friday.

Out went last year’s sportswear in favor of feminine dresses and jumpsuits. His color palette for women ranged from creme florals to a mix of muted and shiny metal for evening.

Most striking were dazzling evening gowns of feather-light, near transparent silver and orange metallics. There were also short, pleated metallic skirts that the bold-hearted can pull off by day.

 One of Kini's "Project Runway" pals, Sean Kelly, was there to show his support.


Non-flash video

More structured pieces showcased the technique that got him to the finale of “Project Runway.”

Interspersed with the women’s wear were casual pieces for men who have not advanced as far as women in the fashion realm. T-shirts and tank tops bore the word “Kane,” as if none of us could guess by eyeing the beefcake!

Back stage after the show, I spotted designer Sean Kelly, winner of Kini’s “Project Runway” Season 13. I tried to shoot the two from a low angle, which had Kelly saying, “I’m up here.” So funny because that’s the line one of my beautiful friends uses when men are talking to her boobs.

We had a nice chat about his own travels post-“Runway,” and how he has to balance design work/time with the demands of celebrity. He also spoke about growing up in New Zealand in a small place where he had nothing to do, so his creativity stems from having to entertain himself.

Chuching Yang back stage in one of Zamora’s designs.

Chuching Yang and Meg Akim in evening ensembles.

Zamora’s male and female models wore jewelry by Pharoah Beads, by local designers now based in Las Vegas.

Before the show, Kini's 40 ensembles lined up as dressers, below, study the looks to be created.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.