Hawaii Fashion Incubator opens Coop
Over the weekend, the Hawaii Fashion Incubator (HIFI), officially opened its new Coop at Ward Warehouse, a space they plan to hold workshops and classes. Headed by Toby Portner and Melissa White, HIFI is a membership-based organization whose mission is to inspire, promote and sustain an integrated fashion community in Hawaii.
While I missed the actual opening event on Saturday afternoon, I’ve been to HIFI’s physical location half a dozen times over the past several months for photo shoots, and just check on the progress.
Having worked in the local fashion industry for the past several years, I know what a feat Toby and Melissa accomplished by building a physical fashion hub that requires community support, resources and funding-from the ground up. As a resource center, working space and retail location, the Coop will hopefully will be a permanent fixture in Hawaii’s rapidly growing fashion scene.
To learn more about Hawaiis Fashion Incubator or to become a member, please visit www.Hawaiifashion.org.
Photos by Dallas Nagata White
