For decades, preparing students for the local garment industry meant having them design swimsuits, aloha wear and a few business-oriented pieces, which became the mainstay of the annual senior fashion shows.
A demonstration of creativity beyond the basics was a luxury.
But rote requirements have given way to individual collections as designers are just as likely to start their own lines as be absorbed into the garment-producing machine.
The newest wrinkle in the fashion world has been the collaboration, whether with fellow artists and designers or community organizations, and this year, part of the University of Hawaii’s Apparel Product Design & Merchandising program’s show will be three collaborative segments, including “Goodwill Goes Green” garments designed by the students with materials provided by Goodwill Industries of Hawaii.
The 46th annual show will take place on campus from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday on the Hawaii Hall lawn. Themed “Revolution,” the event will showcase the work of eight designers. Seating available at 6 p.m., with the fashion show starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet with the designers, refreshments and silent auction.
Among the special guests will be Yvan Rodic, a roving photographer whose influential Face Hunter blog captures faces, places and fashion around the world.
For the “Goodwill Goes Green” segment, students were given $50 and a 15-minute run of Goodwill’s Kaimuki store to choose materials for garments with a time-travel theme that includes stops in the 1920s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and the Renaissance period.
For several of the designers, the assignment offered a license to experiment with styles and textiles that have nothing to do with their personal collections.
Fiona Ng, a women’s wear designer, said, “I don’t usually do menswear but I wanted to try it,” creating an ’80s glam look with a sleeveless plaid jacket trimmed with fur and paired with denim shorts and a blingy, fringed T-shirt.
Her main collection will feature an array of China-inspired dresses and gowns.
Ryan Hanaoka, whose “Ro’maeve” collection is inspired by alien forms, nebulas and galaxies, sought out yukata, kimono and other Asian motifs such as as mon, for his Goodwill creation inspired by feudal Japan.
Avoiding duplication of eras was a no-brainer, according to designer Kathryn Stringer. “All of us have such different styles that choosing the decades was pretty easy,” she said.
Her choice was the 1970s, for which she bleached dark denim to come up with the fabric for a top fringed with blue suede and crochet details, to be paired with fringed denim shorts.
Meanwhile, Kate Hooven’s 1920s-inspired loungewear, comprising re-purposed slips and a dress-turned-negligee jacket, fits in easily with her laid-back, feminine aesthetic.
At Goodwill each student’s $50 went a long way, and they ended up picking belts, curtains, jewelry and other wares that added interest to their garments.
Amanda Stevens, public relations and communications manager for Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, said she was elated that most of the students were already Goodwill fans and showed up on shopping day with their previous finds, including clothing, a Coach bag and Comme des Garcons wallet.
“That’s what they were looking for that day — treasures,” Stevens said. “Students of this generation have a better understanding of Goodwill because of the culture that’s catching on here.
“The students had a lot to work with, and when it all comes together, we’re able to show how, with a little bit of creativity, we’re able to keep these items out of landfills. It makes people more willing to donate their belongings when they realize, ‘Other people can make use of these items I want to get rid of.'”
For Goodwill, also a sponsor of the student show, the “Goodwill Goes Green” segment offers a preview of its “Goodwill Goes GLAM! Talent Showcase and Treasure Marketplace,” taking place Aug. 23 to 26 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.
In addition to shopping events, there will be fashion shows, including an encore of the students’ Goodwill presentation.
