Half a world apart, Hawaii and New York maintain a mutual fascination. The Hono­lulu Community College Fashion Technology program has a standing invitation to send its graduates to "Project Runway" producers due to strong finishes by former alumni Ari South, Kini Zamora and Jay Sario, and the students are responding with a New York-themed senior show, "Juxtapose: Central Park After Dark."

The show — at 7:30 p.m. April 25 on campus — will feature 10 student collections presented against a backdrop of New York park­scape, complete with trees, bridge, park benches and city lights.

The designers offered a peek at their collections:

KYLE WOOLSEY
"From Me, to You"
Model: Keilahri Anioroso

Kyle Woolsey was raised to be a master of the universe, studying tae­kwondo, writing essays and dreaming about becoming a lawyer. Then, during his senior year at the Myron B. Thompson Academy, he decided to create a miniature fashion show for his final project and became hooked on the proc­ess of draping and constructing gowns, which he learned with the help of mentor Ari South.

Woolsey will be presenting a collection of dramatic and extravagant ballgowns and formal wear worthy of any female master of the universe.

Raised by a single mom, he said, "I love women and how resilient they are. I want to help elevate them and help them to feel good, confident and strong."

KAREN DULATRE
"The Minimalist"
Model: Makeda Morris

Karen Dulatre is a daydreamer and people watcher who enjoys observing people and making up stories about their lives, based on what they’re wearing.

"I would imagine them going out to dinner or going to a tea party," she said. That has translated into her own collection of basic pieces that can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion "so they can be at-school cas­ual, more flirty for parties or add a little more for evenings: a nice jacket or heels."

Considered the "shy, quiet girl" while growing up, Dulatre said, "Fashion is the one outlet where I’m slowly not afraid of showing people who I am." Her aim is to help others express themselves through clothing choices.

VERONICA HENDRICKSON
"Amaizing"
Model: Tjan Hall

Veronica Hendrickson took inspiration from her Mexican heritage in creating her collection of wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses from manta, a traditional Mexican cotton fabric she imported from her home country, accented with a maize, or corn, print.

"Corn represented more than food to the Aztecs and Mayans. It was seen as something spiritual and life-giving," she said.

Although she owned a special-occasion custom clothing shop while living in San Diego from 2002 to 2012, her HCC experience marks her first time sharing her own beliefs and handiwork.

"When I came here I didn’t speak English. I have three kids and want to finish my education and show them that anything is possible."

ALEXANDER PROPIOS
"Street Bangers"
Model: Leilani Ramos

Two generations are represented in Alexander Pro­pios "Street Bangers" collection, an ode to his father’s artistry as much as his own creativity.

"My father and grandfather were both artists, so I grew up surrounded by design," said Pro­pios, who discovered a passion for fabric design after taking a course in textiles last year. Using a Kindle, he was able to create his own graphics, which he had digitally printed on fabric in Los Angeles and turned into a visually stunning line of sports and cas­ual wear separates.

Propios’ father died at age 50 six years ago, leaving him with his sketchbooks. Propios incorporated some of his father’s illustrations into his own designs, saying his father would be proud to see his work given such public display.

"He worked as a truck driver but at home was always drawing in front of me. He did screen-prints, too, but it was all a hobby. He never took it outside the house."

SHAILANNE AH LOO
"Chiology"
Model: Jiordanne Ah Loo

The idea of balance, in life, work and enjoyment of outdoors, appeals to Shailanne Ah Loo, whose meditations brought her to her "Chi•ology" collection, based on the Chinese belief in chi, a life-force energy that flows through all living things.

Ah Loo attempted to capture the free flow of wind and the abundance of nature’s colors in a collection that is playful and full of life, and adjustable to suit an individual’s needs and whims.

"I wanted to make clothes that are fun, that can be worn day or night but have a different aspect to it, such as a cross-back dress with an adjustable top so you can do anything you want with it.

"I want it to look good but be comfortable."

IRENE CRAMER
"Mediterranean Dreams" (white lace)
Models: Samara Keuma and Bridget Saifoloi

Irene Cramer already had a career as a speech/language pathologist, but after caring for her mom after she became sick from cancer, Cramer adopted the philosophy that life is too short to not pursue your dreams. "I needed to be doing what I really love to do, and that is designing clothes. I wanted to see what I could do and challenge myself."

As an avid surfer, paddler and former collegiate swimmer, the ocean has played a big part in Cramer’s life and now in her senior collection, created in soft, ocean-blue-colored and eco-conscious bamboo fabric. "It’s made to travel well; it doesn’t wrinkle," she said.

Her dresses and separates are made with island-style, day-to-night transition pieces created from lightweight white eyelet to look like bubbles on ocean crests.

JOLIBER ALBANO
"Watermark" (blue dress)
Model: Noelle Victoria

In the fashion world there are designers who love structure and those who love flow, and the two styles rarely merge. Joliber Albano is the rare designer capable of marrying the two aesthetics to a woman’s best advantage.

"I like to accentuate a woman’s body. My styles have features that create the illusion of a slim waist, pleats to add volume to a small bust, or to make it look like you have a perfect hourglass figure."

Her philosophy grew out of her own problems finding suitable clothing for her petite frame.

"I have a small bust and found clothes that just accentuated what I don’t have, or dresses with back plunges that couldn’t be worn easily without a bra."

Now, if she does create a plunging back, she builds in a bra, and even a simple sundress has figure-shaping princess seams.

SAVANNA RAINS-COLE
"Free Rain"
Model: Michelle Targonski

Savanna Rains-Cole grew up wanting to be an artist, and now expresses herself through her retro, carefree designs created to suit the modern vintage girl.

"I love taking something old and bringing it to life again," she said of breezy minis that appeal to those with a nostalgia for past decades, "when it looked like people had more fun."

With her artist’s eye, Rains-Cole is drawn to the bright colors and prints that fuel her collection.

"I just want to create things that people will look at and be inspired by."

CHERRI LYN BELTRAN
"Cherrie Amor"
Models: Haleina Beltran and Daniela Metcalf

Perhaps the second time’s a charm for Cherri Lyn Beltran, above center, who joined the HCC fashion program in 2003 but left to raise her daughter Haleina. Beltran’s earlier focus was on women’s fashion, but her daughter has inspired a line of girls clothing that allows them to look like girls, not pint-size strumpets.

"My daughter’s at that age, between 8 and 12, when she’s past the cutesy tutu dress age but not a teenager. What I notice when I’m shopping is that a lot of clothing for girls her age show a lot of skin. I know I’m not the only parent who doesn’t like that."

While she’s still able to control what Haleina wears, she’s creating girlswear that keeps her daughter covered. "No midriffs and risque clothing."

In the process, she’s created some clever convertible pieces and separates, and a signature triangle motif.

CHARAE LELEO
"Forever Lace"
Model: Maia Miller

Charae Leleo grew up surrounded by plus-size women and knowing their struggle to find clothing that allows them to look good and feel sexy and confident. "We all know that bigger clothing just isn’t cute," she said.

So Leleo set out to do something about it. "I want to make things that fit them and make it easer for them to shop,"•she said. "Plus size doesn’t seem as important because the fashion shows always feature skinny models, but they want to look super cute, too."