Night Market fashion: Wahine Toa and Ava Sky

Saturday’s Honolulu Night Market will be a fashion-focused affair, with runway shows by Wahine Toa (starts at 7 p.m.) and Ava Sky + Issa De Mar (8 p.m.). We spoke with Nita Pilago of Wahine Toa Designs and Lan Chung of Ava Sky to find out what they’ll be featuring. Night Market runs from 6-11 p.m. along Cooke Street in Our Kaka‘ako.

See our full Honolulu Night Market guide.

Ava Sky Q&A with Lan Chung

Designer Lan Chung started Fighting Eel sister company, Ava Sky, with Rona Bennett in 2012. These comfortable and effortless island-inspired pieces for women — sold at Fighting Eel and retailers across Hawaii and the country — are simple, natural and utterly stylish.

What will you be showing at Honolulu Night Market?
We will be showing a little sneak peek of future collections from January, February and March’s 2015 collection. Kids clothing will also be included.

Do you have any favorite pieces from this collection?
I have many favorite pieces, of course. But one of my favorite styles is the Jumper Prana, which was featured on the cover of HONOLULU Magazine’s fashion issue. It’s playful and sexy, yet simple and casual at the same time. I’m bringing it in the elephant print for January, and I think it’s going to be a great seller. I also love the Moroccan Caftan; I feel like I can wear it all the time. I can use it as a beach coverup but also wear it to meetings or functions.

What kind of woman do you design for?
The Ava Sky woman loves to vacation to tropical beaches. She’s in shape and is spiritual, connecting her body and mind through yoga or zen meditation. She loves to dress up, but doesn’t want to look like she’s trying too hard. She has an effortless flair to her.

How did Ava Sky evolve from Fighting Eel?
Ava Sky is named after my daughter. I took her to Bali when she was two years old. and that’s where it all happened. It was obvious when I decided to do a sister line to Fighting Eel that it would be named after her. Fighting Eel is all about everyday wear, very casual, but the pieces can be dressed up with accessories and shoes to make a statement.

Ava Sky is a little more resort wear, what you would wear on your favorite tropical vacation or on the weekends. There are more flowy pieces, long dresses and caftans/cover-ups. I think the line complements Fighting Eel in that way, it’s not the same. So having both lines in our stores just made sense.

What are your personal fashion essentials?
Nice white tee or tank, sunglasses and an awesome pair of shoes.

Wahine Toa Designs Q&A with Nita Pilago

Nita Pilago is from Kailua-Kona and started Wahine Toa in 2008. Her coveted aloha wear designs are available for both men and women in a wide range of sizes and styles.

What will you be showing at Honolulu Night Market?
I’ll be showing women’s casual, everyday wear then transition into formal wear and silks. I’ll also have some kane dress shirts that I’ll pair with some of the women’s fashion.

How would you describe Wahine Toa? What sets it apart?
Wahine Toa is original wearable art. All of the art printed on my clothing is from my family – my husband, myself and my two boys. From there, I sew all the prototypes and then have a pattern made. I design for all women sizes XS all the way to 6XL, from teenagers to kupuna.

What is the story behind your Wahine Toa logo?
My logo is about how women wear so many hats and can multitask while staying focus and keeping things in order. As women, we give life have great strength. Like bamboo we can sway and bend but don’t break.

How has your clothing changed since you started in 2008?
Finding new fabrics is one way. I like working with soft, flowy fabrics, and I’ve found jersey and lycra, which I love because they’re easy care materials. I’m really lucky because when my sons ask me what I want for Christmas or my birthday. I ask them for new art. I like to keep things changing because I don’t have a big business. It’s small and I still do about 70 percent of the work.

How are you able to design for such a wide variety of women?
When I first started, I used to design for women around my age. My granddaughter was a big influence. She actually told me, “Tutu, this is for old farts, and I can’t wear it.” So I started doing a teen clothing line and she would help me do the designs. I also always try to ask questions while visiting with my customers. I like to see how I can improve. One woman on Oahu said I should make some of the slits a little longer because when she sits down, part of the seam rips. Little tips here and there help me make revisions to my patterns.

Where can people buy your line? Are there any plans to expand?
I love selling my designs at fairs because I get to talk to my customers. If I have inventory at home, I also take appointments for people to come to my home and shop. I used to have an online store that lasted about three months until I started selling out in all sizes, and I couldn’t replenish fast enough. It was giving me a negative connotation when sizes were sold out, so I eventually decided to take it down. I would consider starting it up again in the future if I decide to just focus on a couple styles and have it mass produced.