Honolulu Fashion Week 2015: 'Get Out!'

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Keke Lindgard opened and closed the “Get Out!” fashion show during Honolulu Fashion Week 2015, in a Bliss Lau x Meleana Estes lei dress.

BY NADINE KAM

The “Get Out!” show of casual wear by local designers that took place Nov. 21 during Honolulu Fashion Week 2015 is one of the most fun for me, just because Don Sumada’s styling echoes my aesthetic of fun, comfort apparel with a touch of shine, metal and glitz. And because I’m short, things that move and flow, like fringe and billowy fabric.

So funny because I hate to be noticed or for people to look at me, yet I like some loud pieces that are confusing to my friends, who ask, “Then why do you carry a shiny purse?” Or, in the case of daytime sequins in the blazing Honolulu sun, “You’re blinding me!”

I think that for many who are afraid of mixing and matching disparate pieces of clothing, the showcase is an eye-opener in how to elevate casual pieces. Yes you can mix camouflage and sequins, yes joggers and swimwear can look glamorous at night. Most importantly, yes local style can travel to any destination in the world.


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While so new to this town, Honolulu Fashion Week is an important time for everyone in the industry and people were talking about how hectic the weekend was in taking in four to six shows over two days. In the big picture, that is a snail’s pace. The last time at New York Fashion Week, I went to four shows a day, about 28 shows in all when there are well over 100 official shows going on.

The finale look by Meleana Estes and Bliss Lau, known for her body jewelry was a show stopper, a two-piece, resort-white peasant top and skirt worn by Keke Lindgard and draped in body “chains” of hundreds of bozu flowers strung into lei. It provided a moment of drama every fashion show needs.

 Paulina in a Moon Collective safari camo jacket, sequin skirt and Zacarias cube bag.

Travis in Moom Collective safari jacket and Honolulu City T-shirt.


This time, Kini Zamora and Manuheali'i's Danene Lunn were the only designers who had their own shows, but as brands grow I can see a day when dozens of homegrown talents are also able to send 40 of their own looks down a runway.

And, it was exciting to have New York Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis in the house, as well as the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute curator in charge Harold Koda in town because I’m fascinated by costume and would have loved a peek behind the scenes at the museum collections. I feel lucky to have visited three of the Costume Institute shows during his tenure: “Chanel,” “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” and “Punk: Chaos to Couture.”

I had the opportunity to interview him between the local shows. He was so humble and interesting, we ended up talking for an hour and I missed dinner, so I was starving. But that’s typical of fashion week, when in New York during that time no one has time to eat.

My interview with Koda, who’s retiring at year’s end, will appear in Thursday’s paper.

The New Yorkers: Honolulu-born Lynne O’Neill, executive producer of Honolulu Fashion Week, with Harold Koda and Fern Mallis.

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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.