Designers collaborate for Night Market fashion show
Sassy meets sweet is what you’ll find on the runway at Saturday’s Honolulu Night Market. It makes total sense that Angela Matsuo, owner and designer of Love at Dawn and Lynn Dagan, designer-in-chief at Chief Hawaii, will join forces to showcase their up-cycled fashions.
I recently visited the Love at Dawn studio, located on the second floor of the McCully Chop Suey building to preview both collections. Can I just say that I love how Matsuo takes an old mu’umu’u or grandmother’s duster and morphs it into a sundress that’s youthful with a hint of sexy. She’s not afraid to add an unexpected pocket enhancement to a gently used men’s flannel shirt that could have been worn at a Nirvana concert in the ’90s.
Accessories by Chief Hawaii add contrast and bold elements to the ensemble with rustic one-of-a-kind leather clutches; some with embossed messages, fringe or crochet accents. I love the collection of men’s crossbody bags with the large asymmetrical front pockets. I did some recon, and Dagan’s design and execution of her leather goods rivals Etsy’s best and prices are comparable,
Here’s a neak peek at some of the runway looks:
Love at Dawn transformation – before and after. One-of-a-kind vintage sea mint mu’umu’u with white polka dots, eyelet detail around the neckline & hemline halter with low back ($85). Designer Angela Matsuo.
A closer look at the dress re-work and details. Model Charyse Iseri.
Chief Hawaii full grain grape colored leather clutch with vintage poly fabric and crochet cotton fringe accents ($70).
Lynn Dagan showcases a Chief Hawaii navy full grain leather men’s crossbody with easy access to iPad and wallet, vintage olive army canvas strap and bullet rivets ($125). Love at Dawn vintage men’s deep green collar shirt with vertical lace print polyester front pocket ($45). Model Clayton Nelson.
Chief Hawaii navy full grain leather men’s crossbody with easy access to iPad and wallet, vintage olive army canvas strap accented with bullet rivets ($125). Love at Dawn vintage men’s deep green collar shirt with vertical lace print polyester front pocket ($45). Model Clayton Nelson.
Love at Dawn one-of-a-kind vintage mu’umu’u with lace bodice, backless with adjustable straps, pastel floral coral trim along hem ($75). Model Charyse Iseri.
Chief Hawaii snake skin embossed leather clutch with chocolate fringe burnt orange antique zipper ($90). Love at Dawn one-of-a-kind vintage mu’umu’u with lace bodice, backless with adjustable straps, pastel floral coral trim along hem ($75). Model Charyse Iseri.
Chief Hawaii olive full grain leather men’s crossbody bag with a vintage canvas army long strap, unlined for lighter weight and accented with bullet rivets. Fits small lap top or iPad, cell phone etc. ($125). Camel leaf embossed leather clutch paired with woven mocha leather, turquoise zipper and brown leather fringe ($90).
Production team cuts loose after a long work day: (left to right) Charyse Iseri, Lynn Dagan, Angela Matsuo, Kara Torres , Kiki Krog, and (seated) Clayton Nelson.
Honolulu Night Market – Passport
Fashion show begins at 8 p.m. Be there early to get a good seat.
Saturday, April 18
449 Cooke St.
On-site and street parking, Eat the Street lot at 555 South St., and paid parking at Restaurant Row
