Snag These Local Goods at the HONOLULU Fashion Week Pop-Up Shop
Drop by the pop-up shop at the HONOLULU Fashion Week Marketplace, Nov. 20 through 22.
The second annual HONOLULU Fashion Week is coming up fast, so get ready for a program full of trend-setting fashion shows, hot, industry workshops and our special Marketplace. This pop-up shop will be stocked with more locally made designs than ever, including these covetable creations from Hawai‘i-born brands we love.
Photos: Odeelo Dayondon
1. kealopiko
Ane Bakutis, Jamie Makasobe and Hina Kneubuhl, the Native Hawaiian team behind the culturally conscious clothing brand Kealopiko, want to do more than just create fashion. These women look to the power of the ‘āina for inspiration: endemic, native Hawaiian ferns and flowers splash across a women’s pocket top, while the scales of the ‘āweoweo fish make for a regal men’s button-down pattern. Subtle details also set the jersey separates apart, such as in the precious Mā‘ohi‘ohi tee from the keiki line. Peppered in a colorful, all-over vine print, the shoulder seams are lit up with a fun pop of neon contrast stitching. Organic materials and ecofriendly dye methods add to this brand’s pono way of doing business. Plus, each item comes with an explanation of the mana‘o, or intention, behind each design. A portion of each sale is donated to groups supporting native Hawaiian plants, animals, cultural education and practices, so that the sources of their inspiration can live on for future kānaka maoli to appreciate.
2. matsumoto studio
You can take the girls out of the Islands, but you can’t take the Islands out of the girls—especially when they’re artists. Maui-raised Jen and Jes Matsumoto have lived on both coasts of the Mainland, but, no matter where they lay their heads, the sisters manage to pay sweet tribute to their Island home with Matsumoto Studio. The duo launched the stationery company in 2012 with an online store that includes a totally kawaii collection of cards, gift tags, calendars and invitations inspired by Japanese-style art and local culture. Smiling shave ice cones and cheerful musubi dance across pastel-colored backgrounds with punny sayings scrawled above. Some of our favorites come from the annie + flo line of notecards, inspired by and named after the Matsumotos’ mother and grandmother, which sport brightly colored sand dollars, stylized matsumotostudio.com surfboards and rolling waves.
3. blue bird jewelry hawai‘i
It all started years ago as a hobby for Jana Higa, who began tinkering with jewelry-making to create pretty accessories for friends, all on the side of her full-time job. Since then, Blue Bird Jewelry Hawai‘i has grown from hatchling to swan, ramping up business, expanding production and delving into new designs. In fact, this year, Higa quit her day job to pursue her bliss and dove into jewelry-making full-time. Higa’s pieces are delicate, feminine and entirely handmade, with a range of both minimal metal as well as semi-precious-stone-heavy pieces. Think strands of painstakingly selected stones strung on slender chains, or dangling chandelier earrings in precious peach, or iridescent gun metal shades. One of her newest, most popular designs? An elegant, of-the-moment lariat style, which sports pretty gems and a trendy tassel.
HONOLULU Fashion Week, Hawai‘i Convention Center, Pop-up Shop Hours: Friday, Nov. 20, 5–9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
READ MORE STORIES BY NATALIE SCHACK
