Bella Project will outfit girls for formals
The next Bella Project dress giveaway takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Capital One 360 Cafe, 1958 Kalakaua Ave., in advance of schools’ winter formal events. High school girls will be able to pick a free dress, pair of shoes, accessories and makeup simply by stopping by and showing their school ID.
Appointments are strongly suggested. Email the student’s name, high school and preferred time to charise.thebellaproject@gmail.com. Time slots are available every 15 minutes.
Valerie Schmidt started the Bella Project as a Hawaii-based nonprofit to promote self-confidence, individual beauty and diversity among teens. It provides formal dresses and accessories to high school students unable to purchase their own prom attire. Dresses and accessories are collected throughout the year during donation drives.
Celebrate fashion exhibition at HiSAM
Adding to First Friday festivities tomorrow night will be the HiSAM bridal and formalwear fashion show and "The Way We Wear" exhibition, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum.
During the free event, one of the signature events of Hawai‘i Fashion Month, designers will showcase evening and bridal gowns in the open air of the HiSAM sculpture garden, with a soundscape by DJ Teley Brandon. Featured designers include Nicole Vermillion, Lauren Tiburcio, Beverly Horton, Bernard Foong, Sarah Yamashige, Randy A. Leano, Jaclyn Mae Santos, Chun Hui Chen, Sahra Indio, Feliz Salas, Ryan Hanaoka, Erin Midori Ludolph, Breanne Lee, Alegra Matsuo Mossman and Michele Y. Matsuo.
Attendees are encouraged to don black-tie and evening attire in keeping with the theme.
The event marks the opening of "The Way We Wear," an exhibit offering a glimpse into local culture through clothing from various times and places, with garments from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Art in Public Places Program and on loan from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Historic Costume Museum.
The free exhibition will continue through Jan. 18 in the Diamond Head Gallery. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, except state and federal holidays. The museum is also open for First Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. (galleries close at 8:30 p.m.) monthly.
HiSAM is at 20 S. Hotel St. Call 586-0300.
Fundraiser marks 60 years of ‘IOLANI
‘IOLANI Sportswear will mark its 60th anniversary with a fashion show Oct. 10 to benefit the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.
The event at ‘IOLANI’s Kona Street factory will feature music by ManoaDNA (whose members are ‘IOLANI’s second-generation President Lloyd Kawakami and his sons, Nick and Alex) and Kapala, and food from neighboring Side Street Inn.
Early-bird tickets are $30 and available at iolani60.eventbrite.com, or call 597-1044. Tickets will be $40 at the door.
Edith and Keiji Kawakami started the company in 1953 with four sewing machines and a cutting table, after Keiji returned home from studying merchandising at New York University and working at Gimbel’s Department Store.
Manufacturing continues to be done in ‘IOLANI’s 1234 Kona St. factory to keep jobs in Hawaii.
Snap up sales at Mu‘umu‘u Heaven
Mu‘umu‘u Heaven celebrates its nomination in two categories for the Governor’s Fashion Awards with a sale on items in its Vintage Room through Oct. 31.
Boutique hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays at 767 Kailua Road. Call 263-3366 or visit www.muumuuheaven.com.
