(From FrolicHawai.com 11/1/2014) – Amanda Stevens

Coming off a successful first year, Hawaii Fashion Month co-founders Melissa White and Toby Portner recently announced at a press conference the month-long activities that aim to cultivate, elevate, celebrate and promote Hawaii’s fashion industry. Fashion heavy hitters, including “Project Runway” Season 13 phenom Kini Zamora, converged at The Modern Honolulu along with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who proclaimed November as Hawaii Fashion Month.

Portner and White made it clear that last year’s month-long event was a success because it was community driven. This year, the focus will be on elevating Hawaii fashion and taking the industry to the next level. One way is through mentoring workshops that provide hands-on professional development opportunities. Hawaii Fashion Exchange (HFX) mentors are fashion professionals with international experience and ties to Hawaii. Their range of talent is pretty vast. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect: Mark Arbeit, a fashion photographer who’s shot for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar; Louda Larrain is a couture, art and textile designer; Bliss Lau, a jewelry designer teaches at Parson’s School of Design; and Roman Young specializes in model talent and scouting from Wilhelmina New York.

There is an eclectic range of event offerings this year, as part of Hawaii Fashion Month. They include:

Nov. 1: Fashion ForWARD – the opening event takes place at the IBM Building and coincides with the opening of the HFX photography exhibition at Ward Village throughout the month of November.

Nov. 1: Grey Goose Social Club at The Modern Honolulu.

Nov. 2: “Your Dapper” menswear launch party at Aston Waikiki Beach Coconut Club.

Nov. 2, 3:  Roque Cozzette bridal and beauty make-up techniques at the Hifi Coop.

Nov. 6-9:  Honolulu Fashion Week presented by Honolulu Magazine will assemble a creative team of industry experts to produce the event week to include fashion show producer/director (and HFX mentor) Lynne O’Neill and wardrobe stylist Don Sumada.

Nov. 6: Honolulu Fashion Week VIP Preview Night – “Live Aloha” runway show.

Nov. 7: Honolulu Fashion Week Neiman Marcus runway show.

Nov. 8: Honolulu Fashion Week “Active” runway show, and Hawaiian Airlines presents Maoli Arts Month Wearable Art Show

Nov. 9: Hifi Connects at Honolulu Fashion Week – Industry panel and networking presentations. Honolulu Fashion Week closing events.

Nov. 15: Kailua designer showcase with Hannalei Taylor at Global Village.

Nov. 20: Indie Visual List presents Iconica – Fiber Hawaii Meets Fashion at the Honolulu Museum of Art School.

Nov. 22: Waikiki Roots and Royal Style fashion show and reception at The Grove at Royal Hawaiian Center. The event will honor the achievements of Hawaii fashion designers, stylists and business owners at Royal Hawaiian Center. Ensembles styled from locally owned businesses from the center. The event will begin with a special kick-off, followed by a runway show and VIP reception.

Nov. 22: Our Night Out – Kona at the Brewery Block at Kona Brewing Company in Kailua, Kona.

Nov. 28: Fishcake presents Fishmarket – features a designer marketplace and fashion show curated and produced by Reise Kochi at the Fishcake gallery.

Nov. 29: Art+Flea present Outfit at Ward Village – this event features local designers and artisans, perfectly timed for Small Business Saturday.

Follow Frolic Hawaii and I’ll take you behind-the-scenes getting you the latest scoops about Hawaii Fashion Month.