The Best Moments of HONOLULU Fashion Week 2015

“It was fun working in one of the most beautiful cities! Also, being able to meet talented designers from different cities was great. Everyone that we worked together with during HONOLULU Fashion Week are so welcoming and friendly.”—Lie Sang Bong, designer.

“This year at HONOLULU Fashion Week the highlight for me was casting for Lie Sang Bong, whose work I greatly admire. As a manager for many of the top Korean models, it was a pleasure to get to know one of Seoul’s most respected designers.” —Damon Rutland, President of Nomad Management.

“You can feel the love for fashion that Hawai‘i has. Collectively, we are definitely moving forward and up. The designers, the writers, the photographers, the models, the next generation ... all artists ... all Hawai‘i fashion. It’s that feeling that I loved the most this year. We’re getting there, Hawai‘i!!”

“My favorite aspect of fashion week is being able to witness the public’s reaction when they see all of our work on the runway. It really is a team effort and it’s nice to see the audience receive what we produce with open arms.”–Rava Ray, designer, peacock dress.

“I was going into HONOLULU Fashion Week thinking it would be more on a small scale, but when I was at the show I realized that it was a big deal! Not even all the shows in NYC are on that level. It’s run by some of the best in the fashion industry. The turnout was amazing and I can’t wait to see how it turns out next year.”—Travis Smith, model.

“What’s exciting about HONOLULU Fashion Week is that it suggests that there is enough critical mass here—a lot of local talent in Hawai‘i—to stage such an event.”–Harold Koda, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute curator in charge. “I am very proud of what I’m seeing here in Honolulu. This looks like a fashion week that has legs. And I think it’s one that’s just going to get better and better. There is a lot of talent here in Hawai‘i.”—Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week.

“Since last year, we found more new and interesting designers to feature. And I had more time to work with them. I was really happy with the way all the runway shows turned out. They were all very different but in their own way they were all special.” —Don Sumada, fashion show stylist.

Photo at left, Harold Koda and Fern Mallis. Below, international designers Todd Snyder, Yukimi Kawashima, Lie Sang Bong, show executive producer Lynne Hanzawa O’Neill, Kaypee Soh and Kym Ellery.

Designer Bliss Lau and Meleana Estes collaborated on the Get Out! show’s closing look, this floral body lei of bozu flowers worn by model Keke Lindgard.

“The feeling of ‘ohana with the HONOLULU Magazine team reminds me why I cherish this fashion week more than any other around the world.”—Roman Young, creative director, Wilhelmina International.