UH designers celebrate 'Roots'

Nadine Kam photos
Moses Gouveia was one of two senior designers showing their collections at the 50th annual University of Hawaii at Manoa fashion show, themed "Roots." His collection is entitled "Lush Hawaiian Garden."

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Fashion Design and Merchandising Department marks its 50th anniversary this year, and it's annual fashion show on May 1 celebrated both up-and-coming designers, as well as returning alumni. The event, "ROOTS: The 50th annual UHM Fashion Show," took place May 1 at Kennedy Theater.

The show opened with returning alumni presenting a group collection. They were Terrilyn Okumura (Class of 1982), Matt Bruening (2009), Erin Rudolph (2009), Jennifer Fukino (2010), Joelle Perry (2011), Kristen Domingcil (2011), Kathryn Stringer (2012), Cole Lida (2013), Bejan Moers (2013), Chyloe Guerrero (2014), Tori Speere (2014) and Sarah Yamashige (2014).

Graduating senior Kari Begay paid homage to biker/Bond girl chic with her "X's & O's" collection.

Following a showcase by junior designers Angela Huber, Cheryl Ishii, Von Kaanaana, Yuyu Liu, Breanne McCleary, Darcy Shindo, Carly Tanimoto and Lily G.B. Zheng, was a presentation of a special collection of jewelry-inspired designs by Liu, Zheng and Yuanting Wu, and neoprene designs by Moses Gouveia.

Closing the show were collections by seniors Kari Begay and Moses Gouveia.

Gouveia's collection was inspired by Manoa valley and the fragrance of the awapuhi flower. His nine-piece collection featured swimwear, day wear, cocktail looks and an evening gown.

He initially earned his AAS degree in fashion technology at Honolulu Community College in 2013, before continuing his education at UH. After graduating, he aims to start his own women’s resortwear line.

Begay's collection reflected her love of motor culture, and her biker black pieces was centered around fashion for riders. She looked to Bond girl silhouettes for inspiration.

Even though this was a UH show, the faculty of Honolulu Community College's Fashion Technoloogy program still claim Gouviea as one of their own. He earned his Associate in Applied Science degree there before pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising at UH.

Here's a look at the designs:


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A couple of menswear looks from the junior showcase.

One of the alumni designs, left, and a dress by fashion show director and junior designer Von Kaanaana.

One of the designs from the special collections segment, inspired by jewelry. Below, a detail.

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

Kauai hosts fashionable weekend

Photos by Patrick Kelley Worldwide Photography
Designer Sha Ali Ahmad, co-founder of Kaua'i Fashion Weekend, takes a bow following his Saturday runway presentation. At right, Maytee Martinez, from "House of DVF" was one of his models.

In Honolulu, we tend to look at our city of a million as the center of everything creative in Hawaii, from food to fashion. But, our neighbor islands no longer want to be ignored. There is amazing culinary work being done on Maui, and in distant Kauai, a nascent fashion scene is no longer waiting for Honolulu to come calling, when it's perfectly capable of attracting attention at home.

The 4th Annual Kaua‘i Fashion Weekend took place May 7, featuring Kauai designers' newest island-inspired evening couture, resort, casual and beach wear collections.

Co-founded by international fashion designer Sha Ali Ahmad of India, and Marynel Valenzuela, president of Inkspot Printing on Kauai, the red-carpet event drew more than 400 residents and visitors to the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club's Grand Ballroom.

Above and below, two more of Sha Ali Ahmad's designs.

Ahmad, who has created fashions worn by celebrities from Hollywood to Bollywood, showed his latest collection, AC 16, which previously debuted at fashion shows in Miami and California. He calls Kauai his home away from home, said he was inspired to help raise the island’s profile in fashion design internationally.

“I want to make Kaua‘i a destination for fashion lovers everywhere. The designers here have huge potential because of the diverse culture. Since my first visit, the people, culture, hospitality and beauty of the island have inspired me.”

Among the models was Maytee Martinez, an international model, designer and star of the E! cable network series, "House of DVF."

Swim and resort styles, below, dominated the Kauai collections.

Also featured were homegrown designers Chanterelle Chantara of Chez Chanterelle, Taryn Rodighiero of KaiKini Bikinis, Karla Bollmann of Karlota’s Tropical Clothing, and Wilma Bumanglag of Wilma’s Top Secret.

Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, hopes this focus on fashion will encourage more island residents to share their creativity.

“When people think of Kaua‘i, fashion isn’t always top of mind. There are some beautiful styles being designed by island residents that people anywhere in the world would enjoy wearing. Promoting Kauai’s fashion design is a beautiful way to diversify our island’s economy and show that Kauai should be known for more than sun and surf.”

More informatiion: facebook.com/kauaifashionweekend

Video link: vimeo.com/165754508

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