(From FrolicHawaii.com 06/13/2013) – Amanda Stevens

Hawaii’s fashion industry is being infused with a dose of New York flair for a great cause. The Lawrence Blake Group International recently organized two runway shows to benefit Afterschool Art, a nonprofit that encourages art appreciation among Hawaii’s at-risk youth.

Last Friday, the Honolulu Fashion Invitational event featured runway presentations from up-and-coming designers, hand-picked by wardrobe stylist Summer Shiigi, of Summer Style Hawaii at Chinatown’s new The FIX Sports Lounge and Nightclub. The First Friday event featured a unique melding of fashion, music, dance and art. One highlight was the presentation of locally made paintings and sculptures walked down the runway by models wearing looks by emerging designers such as Bejan Moers, Nicole Vermillion, Feliz Salas, Jenna Sato, Gina Brown and Ryan Hanaoka.

The night before, at Thirtyninehotel, the inaugural Fashion Front Awards Hawaii honored individuals and businesses that have positively affected Hawaii’s fashion and art communities. Honorees included; Bob Grossman PhD., Kim Taylor Reece, Roberta Oaks, Allison Izu Song, Lyle Amine, Lance Tsuchiya, Summer Shiigi, Nickie Q, Gelareh Khoie and members of the Cherry Blossom Cabaret. Throughout the evening, the runway show/competition featured segments by Urban Gypsy, Unleash Studio, Honey Girl Water Wear, Tiare Teiti, and Missing Polynesia.

During both events, the music was as diverse as the fashion, with performances by Ethereal Monkey, IVO, Erin Smith, Summer Derrickson, Super Groupers, Chuck Davis, Genius PHAACE and Nikki Nansen.

Lawrence Blake Group International plans to hold monthly Hawaii Fashion Weekend events on Oahu to benefit various community organizations. The first of these monthly events kicks-off on June 27, at The Fix Sports Lounge and Nightclub.

Hawaii Fashion in the Forefront

Hair and Make-up artists prepping for the show: Jason Victorino and Sheldon Yamauchi of Salon 808 with Guillermo Sanchez-Diaz (G Dolce) and Chloie Abeyta

Photos by Lyle Amine