19 of Our Favorite Moments from HONOLULU Fashion Week 2016
A look back at the third annual HONOLULU Fashion Week.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtAsaf Ganot’s Tough Luxe: The New York designer’s show kicked the event off with a bang, sending models stomping down the runway clad in luxe leather outerwear and combat boots.Photo: Eli SchmidtAsaf Ganot’s Tough Luxe: The New York designer’s show kicked the event off with a bang, sending models stomping down the runway clad in luxe leather outerwear and combat boots.
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Photo: David CroxfordAsaf Ganot’s Finale Surprise: Who could resist the aww-worthy appearance by Ganot’s niece Zeza (daughter of UH Mānoa coach Eran Ganot), who nearly stole the show in a pint-size leather moto jacket.Photo: David CroxfordAsaf Ganot’s Finale Surprise: Who could resist the aww-worthy appearance by Ganot’s niece Zeza (daughter of UH Mānoa coach Eran Ganot), who nearly stole the show in a pint-size leather moto jacket.
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Photo: Gary SaitoWalk of Life: Celebrating their second chances, 20 beautiful survivors of life-threatening illnesses showed their stylish looks and amazing spirit, on the runway for Hawai‘i Pacific Health presents Beautiful Survivors.Photo: Gary SaitoWalk of Life: Celebrating their second chances, 20 beautiful survivors of life-threatening illnesses showed their stylish looks and amazing spirit, on the runway for Hawai‘i Pacific Health presents Beautiful Survivors.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtFlower Power: Alohawear brands paired their bold tropical prints with even bolder sculptural hairpieces, created by local floral designer (and our own events manager) Jeff Alencastre.Photo: Eli SchmidtFlower Power: Alohawear brands paired their bold tropical prints with even bolder sculptural hairpieces, created by local floral designer (and our own events manager) Jeff Alencastre.
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Photo: David CroxfordAn Air of Class: A show-stopping cape is part of Hawaiian Airlines’ new lineup of runway-ready uniforms. “We were delighted to once again showcase Hawai‘i’s burgeoning fashion industry and local talent alongside designers from some of the fashionable cities we serve, including Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and New York.” —Mark Dunkerley, ceo, Hawaiian AirlinesPhoto: David CroxfordAn Air of Class: A show-stopping cape is part of Hawaiian Airlines’ new lineup of runway-ready uniforms. “We were delighted to once again showcase Hawai‘i’s burgeoning fashion industry and local talent alongside designers from some of the fashionable cities we serve, including Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and New York.” —Mark Dunkerley, ceo, Hawaiian Airlines
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Photo: Eli SchmidtKini’s Cross-Cultural Connection: Designer Kini Zamora’s collection drew inspiration from Hawaiian and African culture, merging the two in a dynamic Laua‘e Ankara print that paired tribal and fern graphics.Photo: Eli SchmidtKini’s Cross-Cultural Connection: Designer Kini Zamora’s collection drew inspiration from Hawaiian and African culture, merging the two in a dynamic Laua‘e Ankara print that paired tribal and fern graphics.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtFantasy Island Wear: The Live Aloha show delivered back-to-back tropical ensembles created by four top O‘ahu-based brands: Manuheali‘i, ‘Iolani Sportswear (above), Noa Noa and Manaola Hawai‘i.Photo: Eli SchmidtFantasy Island Wear: The Live Aloha show delivered back-to-back tropical ensembles created by four top O‘ahu-based brands: Manuheali‘i, ‘Iolani Sportswear (above), Noa Noa and Manaola Hawai‘i.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtLocal Love: Featuring Island labels Malia Jones, Ari South, Ten Tomorrow, Allison Izu and Kojo Couture, the Local Luxe show had us making room in our closets for breezy coverups, easy knitwear and dramatic gowns.Photo: Eli SchmidtLocal Love: Featuring Island labels Malia Jones, Ari South, Ten Tomorrow, Allison Izu and Kojo Couture, the Local Luxe show had us making room in our closets for breezy coverups, easy knitwear and dramatic gowns.
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Photo: David CroxfordManaola Holds Court: Themed around the way modern-day ali‘i might dress, designer Manaola Yap’s Kōlani show delivered, with a striking procession of models adorned in the collection’s first looks. “The Kōlani collection has been a longtime dream of mine to create, so to see it realized and honor our ali‘i in such a grand way was surreal.” —Manaola Yap, designerPhoto: David CroxfordManaola Holds Court: Themed around the way modern-day ali‘i might dress, designer Manaola Yap’s Kōlani show delivered, with a striking procession of models adorned in the collection’s first looks. “The Kōlani collection has been a longtime dream of mine to create, so to see it realized and honor our ali‘i in such a grand way was surreal.” —Manaola Yap, designer
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Photo: Eli SchmidtManaola’s Golden Touch: As a nod to the royal women of ancient Hawai‘i who lightened their hairlines as a sign of chiefly status, the gilded beauty looks at Manaola’s show featured gold hair paint and shimmering flecks of gold-leaf.Photo: Eli SchmidtManaola’s Golden Touch: As a nod to the royal women of ancient Hawai‘i who lightened their hairlines as a sign of chiefly status, the gilded beauty looks at Manaola’s show featured gold hair paint and shimmering flecks of gold-leaf.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtFriends in High-End Places: New York-based Lindgard and Solywoda, all dressed up in Missoni and Dolce & Gabbana, embrace for a behind-the-scenes hug while waiting for the Neiman Marcus show to start.Photo: Eli SchmidtFriends in High-End Places: New York-based Lindgard and Solywoda, all dressed up in Missoni and Dolce & Gabbana, embrace for a behind-the-scenes hug while waiting for the Neiman Marcus show to start.
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Photo: David CroxfordReach the Runway Makes a Big Impression: Modeling student Seanalei Nishimura sashays down the runway in a look by fashion design student Jia Yi Liu in the benefit show for Reach the Runway, the official nonprofit of HONOLULU Fashion Week.Photo: David CroxfordReach the Runway Makes a Big Impression: Modeling student Seanalei Nishimura sashays down the runway in a look by fashion design student Jia Yi Liu in the benefit show for Reach the Runway, the official nonprofit of HONOLULU Fashion Week.
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Photo: David CroxfordReyn Spooner’s Style Time Warp: The alohawear brand showcased its most-loved fashions from the past six decades alongside upcoming styles—think bomber jackets and trench coats in its iconic Island prints.Photo: David CroxfordReyn Spooner’s Style Time Warp: The alohawear brand showcased its most-loved fashions from the past six decades alongside upcoming styles—think bomber jackets and trench coats in its iconic Island prints.
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Rinka Fever: It turns out that mega-model Rinka has a following here that’s just as strong as it is in Japan. The designer debuted her latest collection to a packed house in LeaLea’s RINKAgram show, then sat down for a Q&A with a small legion of fans.Rinka Fever: It turns out that mega-model Rinka has a following here that’s just as strong as it is in Japan. The designer debuted her latest collection to a packed house in LeaLea’s RINKAgram show, then sat down for a Q&A with a small legion of fans.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtModern Twists on Retro Hawai‘i: The Honolulu connection in Hawaiian Airlines’ Runway to Runway show, local couturier Jeffrey Yoshida dazzled with sharply tailored takes on ’50s and ’60s silhouettes.Photo: Eli SchmidtModern Twists on Retro Hawai‘i: The Honolulu connection in Hawaiian Airlines’ Runway to Runway show, local couturier Jeffrey Yoshida dazzled with sharply tailored takes on ’50s and ’60s silhouettes.
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Photo: David CroxfordGlobetrotting with Hawaiian Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines’ Runway to Runway show took us on a glamorous trek that included stopovers in (left to right) Pameo Pose’s romantic Tokyo, Marissa Web’s effortlessly cool New York, Dion Lee’s clean-lined Sydney and Greedilous’ trendy Seoul.Photo: David CroxfordGlobetrotting with Hawaiian Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines’ Runway to Runway show took us on a glamorous trek that included stopovers in (left to right) Pameo Pose’s romantic Tokyo, Marissa Web’s effortlessly cool New York, Dion Lee’s clean-lined Sydney and Greedilous’ trendy Seoul.
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Photo: David CroxfordSig Zane’s Lead Performance: Zane, along with son Kūha‘o, led a Hawaiian chant, Kū Mākou, to introduce the new Hawaiian Airlines uniforms. Kū Mākou is also the name of the pattern featured on the uniforms and represents all the employees standing together.Photo: David CroxfordSig Zane’s Lead Performance: Zane, along with son Kūha‘o, led a Hawaiian chant, Kū Mākou, to introduce the new Hawaiian Airlines uniforms. Kū Mākou is also the name of the pattern featured on the uniforms and represents all the employees standing together.
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Photo: Eli SchmidtThe Return of Hawai‘i’s Top Models: After an epic 2016—Ka‘a‘awa-born Keke Lindgard booked her first Victoria’s Secret fashion show, Kaua‘i’s Travis Smith wowed in New York Fashion Week presentations, and Kāhala native Louis Solywoda shined in a Versace campaign—all returned home to rule the catwalk.Photo: Eli SchmidtThe Return of Hawai‘i’s Top Models: After an epic 2016—Ka‘a‘awa-born Keke Lindgard booked her first Victoria’s Secret fashion show, Kaua‘i’s Travis Smith wowed in New York Fashion Week presentations, and Kāhala native Louis Solywoda shined in a Versace campaign—all returned home to rule the catwalk.
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Photo: David CroxfordThe Biggest Little Fashionistas: The locally designed keiki apparel from Big Bad Wolf and Rama Collection in the Ward Village show—hip varsity jackets, graphic tees and button-downs—proved that fashion is just as much for cool kids as it is for grownups.Photo: David CroxfordThe Biggest Little Fashionistas: The locally designed keiki apparel from Big Bad Wolf and Rama Collection in the Ward Village show—hip varsity jackets, graphic tees and button-downs—proved that fashion is just as much for cool kids as it is for grownups.

Modern Twists on Retro Hawai‘i: The Honolulu connection in Hawaiian Airlines’ Runway to Runway show, local couturier Jeffrey Yoshida dazzled with sharply tailored takes on ’50s and ’60s silhouettes.
Photo: Eli Schmidt
Our entire staff thanks everyone who made this event possible.
Click here to see more photos and videos from HONOLULU Fashion Week.
This article appears in the January 2017 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.