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.