BY: AMANDA STEVENS MAY 22, 2016

Hidden gems were uncovered at this month’s Honolulu Night + Market block party with lots of food and fashion offerings. Many opted to have breakfast for dinner at the Wild Candy Bacon food booth, and the fashion marketplace was buzzing with veteran brands like Salt Liko and new vendors such as SantoFit.

The highlight of the evening was the debut fashion show by Yireh, meaning will provide. Designer Emily Valdez captures the essence of tropical bohemian chic with flowing silhouettes, and is noticeably influenced by her travels to Indonesia with the bold ocean inspired prints and fringe embellishments.

Here’s a look at our favorite marketplace moments followed by fashion show pics below:

-Photos by Amanda Stevens

10th annual MAMo Wearable Art Show

BY: AMANDA STEVENS MAY 19, 2016

Maoli Arts Month, known as MAMo, celebrated its 10th Wearable Art Show Wednesday night at Hawaii Theatre. Founder Vicky Holt Takamine has fostered a creative movement showcasing Hawaiian design talent, and in recent years has invited other Polynesian artists to share the stage.

This year, designers from neighbor islands had a strong voice in the show, with artists from Kauai to Hawaii island showcasing creations such as silver hand-etched jewelry, lauhala hats and avant-garde apparel. Although the program is so long that there’s always an intermission, Takamine and co-emcee Robert Cazimero continue to keep the crowd engaged with ad-lib banter and educational facts about Hawaiian culture.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this year’s Wearable Art Show:

Anna Kahalekulu – 

Lufi Luteru in collaboration with Po Mahina Designs and Tara Gumpac –

Wahine Toa in collaboration with Kahukalea, Keala Designs, and Na Maka Kahiko –

Hone Bailey from Aotearoa –

Maile Andrade in collaboration with make-up artist Jonathan Freitas –

Photo by Kyle Wright.

Photo by Kyle Wright.

Keoua Nelson in collaboration with Lahaole Designs –

Kehaulani Kekua –

Marques Marzan –

– Photos by Kyle Wright and Amanda Stevens

(from FrolicHawaii.com 5/3/16 – Amanda Stevens)

The Fashion Design and Merchandising Program celebrated 50 years of UH Manoa’s Senior Fashion Shows on Sunday night at Kennedy Theater. More than 500 attendees viewed collections from two seniors, eight juniors and 11 alumni designers including Matt Bruening of Matt Bruening designs, Terilynn Okimura of Volto Couture based in New York City and Joelle Perry, owner of a custom bridal gown business.

The two senior designers symbolized the wide array of aesthetics that have come through the venerable program.

Moses Gouveia, a graduate of the HCC Fashion Technology program, created a collection that is soft and feminine, inspired by the beauty of Manoa Valley. The rainbow hue swimsuits were his standouts.

Kari Begay channeled her inner adventurer and interest in motorcycles to create her collection. She dreams of building a brand that will provide riders with classic wearable clothing on the open road.

Here are highlights of the evening, shot by photographer Lyle Amine.

Hopefully this 50th anniversary milestone will bring more attendance, attention and funding to the Fashion Design and Merchandising program.

(from FrolicHawaii.com 4/26/16 – Amanda Stevens)

What happens when an adventurous, free-spirited singer-songwriter decides to update her onstage style? And not just any singer-songwriter, but one of Hawaii’s best. Kimie Miner, who’s toured with Barrington Levy and Anuhea, was just nominated for a pair of Na Hoku Hanohano awards for Best Female Vocalist and Best New Album of the Year for the self-titled “Kimie Miner.”

Miner describes her fashion style as “beachy island boho girl meets globe trotter urban dweller.” When I asked about her style influencer, she answered, “Erykah Badu, because her fashion reflects her lifestyle, and I think it’s important for your fashion to reflect who you are and what you believe.”

It was inevitable that she would be introduced to Kailua designer Emily Valdez.

The two are kindred spirits. Both have traveled extensively from a young age, look for ways to give back and are passionate about their respective crafts. In fact it was Valdez’ travels to Indonesia, where she met a girl whose family couldn’t afford to send her to school, that inspired her clothing brand. Valdez’ purchases of the shell necklaces made by the girl helped her raise the money for her education. She named her line Yireh – Hebrew for “Jehovah will provide.”

Here are highlights from Miner’s first style session with Valdez, followed by photos of what the singer wore onstage for her next two performances.

For Miner, philanthropy is part of her music. As a result of the style session, she wore Yireh at two benefit concerts at Makers & Tasters. The first helped a teen and his family offset some of his major medical expenses.

Here’s what Miner wore at Friday’s Mana Mele Festival concert, a benefit for Hawaiian-focused public charter schools.

Miner’s new music video, “Bottom of a Rainbow,” premieres this Friday, April 29. You can check out her music and her upcoming performances May 8 in Iwilei and May 26 in Monterey, California on her website, kimieminer.com.

(from FrolicHawaii.com 4/3/16 – Amanda Stevens)

On Saturday, the Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club was the site for OluKai’s soiree to showcase the launch of their new collection. It definitely was reason to celebrate, their new casual footwear collection is now exclusively sold at Nordstrom Ala Moana Center. A new design of their very popular drop in heel shoe was also on display.

The hotel will open to the public in mid-April and was the perfect location for the exclusive soiree, with its vintage North Shore surf vibe and decor. Kamea Hadar was on hand, etching his art onto OluKai collector tins, and the bar and kitchen were serving up refreshing and tasty drinks and treats.

Here’s a look at some of our favorite soiree pics:

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(from FrolicHawaii.com 4/1/16 – Amanda Stevens)

Through their job training programs, Goodwill is known for providing people with employment barriers a hand-up, not a hand-out. Thanks to a hand-up from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and the creative input from the 50|50 Agency, the Goodwill store in Kaimuki received an epic makeover to coincide with their rebranding campaign.

With “live mannequins” modeling in the windows, the store’s bright space accented with fresh hues of blue and modern industrial touches was revealed at Thursday’s private reopening for VIPs that included super shoppers, board members and media.

The new design formula will eventually be rolled out to all of Goodwill Hawaii’s program locations, donation centers, and stores on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii island and Kauai.

My fashion-partner-in-crime Rene and I styled the models (he did their hair and makeup) –we’ve both been volunteering our visual merchandising expertise for the past four years.

Goodwill Hawaii will commemorate the redesigned store with a grand re-opening this Friday through Sunday with special offers and prize giveaways for shoppers.

Goodwill Kaimuki
3638 Waialae Ave.