Psychedelic Swell debuts at Surfjack

Nadine Kam photo
Models from the Psychedelic Swell fashion show posed for a group shot after the show.

Downtown denizens Roberta Oaks and Barrio Vintage's Bradley Rhea and Jonathan Saupe teamed up for a one-time, limited edition collaboration collection, Psychedelic Swell, that came to life during a fashion show at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club June 16.

it looked like the late 1960s and early ’70s all over again, with not only the models, but guests dressed in groovy retro-print garments, suede vests and polyester, echoing the vibe of the collection which featured Oaks' modern silhouettes, with garments sewn from Barrio Vintage's collection of era fabric.

“It was something we’d talked about for some time,” said Oaks.

Many of the textiles were manufactured in Honolulu in the 1960s and ’70s, and feature the bright color combinations of the psychedelic and neon generations.


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“To see them survive the test of time and find a new life has been both inspiring and exciting,” Rhea said. “For me, it was interesting to see this pile of fabric transformed.”

For Rhea, the experienced cured him of any desire to create a Barrio Vintage collection from scratch. “I was amazed by what’s involved in creating a collection and what it’s done is made me even more appreciative of people who do this for a living,” he said.

Usually, such a collection might be available for sale immediately after the show, but to make it fair for those who could not attend the show, the entire 26-piece collection of men’s and women’s wear went on sale online at 10 a.m. June 17 at RobertaOaks.com and Barrio Vintage.com., at prices ranging from about $120 to $150.

I was interested in one of the shifts, so kept checking the sites, even while out on a fashion shoot at Cromwell's. Most of the garments were gone by 1 p.m. And so, due to the mostly one-of-a-kind nature of the collection, these modern-retro collectible garments are destined to become tomorrow's rare vintage finds.

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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.

Shop: Barrio Vintage

Nadine Kam photos
Barrio Vintage curator Bradley Rhea, right, with Jonathan Saupe and shopper Tamara Allen.

While waiting Friday night for the Milk & Honey fashion show to start, I wandered upstairs to the Chinatown Artists Lofts in the neighboring Mendonca Building to stop by Barrio Vintage, which, like a rare blossom, opens but two times a month, on First Fridays and Slow Art Friday on the third week of the month.

While I was browing the racks, it was great to turn around and see the familiar face of stylist-owner Bradley Rhea who I'd met a couple weeks before at Nordstrom.

Having moved here from the desert and big sky locale of Tucson, Ariz., Bradley still marvels over some of the otherworldliness of Chinatown, but feels Barrio Vintage fits in with its combination of "style surprises and great prices."

Great prices is right. I was a little scared looking at a white sequin blouse with no price tag in sight. I was imagining up to $40 would be fair. So when Brad said $10, I was like, "Sold!"

Deena Frooman, who tried on one of Barrio Vintage's coats, while her friend Stacy Cowell tried on a vintage Hawaiian print blazer, said she had a ready caption for this photo: "We're vintage and so are the clothes." Thanks for that!

Another girl who was snatching up $3 pieces from a suitcase was more emotive, saying, "I love this place and I love you guys!"

Going through the suitcase, I found a cute polka dot skirt that reminded me of Marni's spring 2012 print for H&M, but had to pass because it might have been too small.

I didn't stay long because the show downstairs was about to start, but I look forward to seeing what's coming in months ahead since he has ideas of collaborating with like-minded artists, independent jewelry designers and apparel designers with a similar aesthetic.
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Barrio Vintage is at 1109 Maunakea St. #208.