Design Intervention

A brainstorm came over bellinis this weekend – the perfect LBDD (little black dress design). It’s cute as a button and it looks like your entry into the style world is all sewn up except for a few things –  You don’t know anything about fabric, patterns, or sewing.

Your dream is unraveling. It will take a solid plan of fashion to get in the stitch of things.

Enter the new Hawaii Fashion Incubator Coop.

Tucked away on the second floor of Ward Warehouse, the 1,500 square foot working/retail space is a hub of inspiration from the floor newly decoupaged with fashion magazines to a shop stocked with local designs. Sign up for classes such as making your own lacy boyshorts, prom dresses, and even expert advice on building your fashion portfolio. Work on your own projects in the airy, fully-equipped workroom.  And when the creative process hits a snag, you can seek stimulation in the retail store full of finds such as Maui Thing tops, Umee dresses, Organik tunics, Arkotec shirts and onesies, silk scarves, limited edition Hifi and Sierra Dew collaboration pieces, and Salty Girl jewelry.

Hifi members can also take advantage of the photo studio, meeting and event spaces. Hifi founders Toby Portner and Melissa May White encourage connecting and collaborating so beginners and professionals alike can find a helping hand.

Meaning you know where to turn if that new idea falls apart at the seams.

Now that’s how to stay one step a thread for good.

The Hifi Coop opens this weekend at Ward Warehouse, second floor above T&C Surf. The grand opening is Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The first workshops are Fashion Portfolio RX and Prom Dress Redux . To register, for more information, or to read more about the Hifi Coop, visit the Hawaii Fashion Incubator's website.