Two different fashion shows are being held in Hilo this week to coincide with the Merrie Monarch Festival.
With support from the Merrie Monarch Festival, the fifth Hawaii Fashion Showcase will feature wearable arts by Hawaii’s designers, local musicians, beautiful lighting and a sidewalk that will work as the runway for models at Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens on Tuesday.
After producing the Royal Ball for the first time on Easter Sunday, the crew from 222 Productions will be lighting up the park for the Hawaii Fashion Showcase, the theme of which is “Jewels of the Land and Sea.”
According to Noel Ross, founder of 222 Productions and the Hawaii Fashion Showcase, Merrie Monarch’s beginnings on Coconut Island inspired this year’s natural runway at the park.
The show will feature a fog machine, lighted trees all around the runway, and a red glow that will represent the volcanic energy of the island.
“Lili‘uokalani felt like the perfect way to bring in the natural beauty of the ‘aina while also lighting it up in a special way,” Ross said. “The dynamic (of) all of the elements will truly show off what’s in our back yard.”
Designers featured in this year’s show include, Simply Sisters, LexBreezy, Sig Zane and Coconut Ave collaboration, Kahulale‘a, Aaron Kai and Amos Kotomori.
While each designer will have their unique pieces, they will all be tied together with the “jewels” of the land, such as kukui nuts and feathers, and the sea, such as pearls and shells.
Each designer will also be paired with a Hawaii musician, who will perform as models show the wearable art on the runway. Performers include Wehilei, 8RO8, Dillon Pakele, I.A. 808, Brittni Paiva and Chardonnay.
“We are featuring some musicians who have never been to the Big Island before and we’re so excited to include these multigenerational experiences during Merrie Monarch,” Ross said. “To have the support and create a platform for these artists is exciting and the energy will be so high.”
Miss Aloha Hula 2016, Kayli Ka‘iulani Carr, also will be performing a hula to open the show and may be seen on the runway later on. Ross is encouraging the models to bring the fashion to life in a different way and embrace the fun as they walk or dance.
“This idea goes back to honoring King Kalakaua, as well. He loved dance, and he saved the Hawaiian language and hula because he wanted to celebrate Hawaiian culture,” Ross said. “Ultimately, this is a Hawaiian fashion show and that energy gives us a sense of place and honors the beauty of the culture.”
According to Ross, this year’s show will be the largest production for a fashion show that the state has seen, and all of the profits will be donated back to the Merrie Monarch Festival.
“The whole team and I love working with Merrie Monarch and embracing the ultimate platform that it has provided our community. It’s been 61 years, which is longer than the Super Bowl, and it’s still going strong,” Ross said. “Over the years, all of us have realized that it’s not about one of us, but about supporting each other and what Merrie Monarch has given our community.”
Rain or shine, the Hawaii Fashion Showcase will be on the makai side of Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens by Lihiwai Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Ticket-holders can keep the energy going with an after-party concert and marketplace at Nani Mau Gardens from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The Royal Ball will be from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at the Hilo Yacht Club, with the Royal Court arriving at 6 p.m.
Tickets are still available for both events at hawaiifashionshowcase.com.
Hanau Hou Arts and Fashion Show
After the success of the inaugural show last April, Hannah Preston-Pita and Raynn Dangaran have paired up again for the second annual Hanau Hou Arts and Fashion Show to show the artistry created by eight Hawaii-based designers.
“When we first developed the idea last year, we only had about three months to prepare for the show with four designers. We were surprised, but so excited when we sold out,” Dangaran said. “This year, we wanted to do the same thing with more designers while still focusing and encapsulating the artistry and talent of Hilo and Hawaii.”
The origin behind the show came from Preston-Pita’s dream of showing her own creative pieces and giving others the opportunity to express themselves through their wearable art.
After making sure they could set the date to coincide with the Merrie Monarch Festival, Preston-Pita and Dangaran started planning for a bigger, more dynamic show.
“There is so much fashion that is part of Merrie Monarch, and we’re so excited to showcase so much talent through the wearable art show,” Preston-Pita said. “This year, one of our designers is an 11-year old girl from Oahu who has created 10 beautiful pieces for the show, which is unbelievable.”
The designers featured in Hanau Hou this year include Laha‘ole Designs, Anela Wear, Te Manu Designs, Ho‘oilina, Waikini, Alohiwai, Hale Hala and Nohie Hawaii.
About 40 models — keiki, men and women — will walk down the runway in the Crown Room of the Grand Naniloa Hotel with live performances interspersed between designers.
“We decided to move to the Grand Naniloa since it’s the heart of Merrie Monarch with so many visitors staying there during the week,” Dangaran said. “People attending the show can expect amazing designs, taiko drums, singing, hula, food, drinks and a fun time for all ages.”
Preston-Pita and Dangaran hope to continue the work of Hanau Hou throughout the year by providing a network of support that empowers designers to thrive and provides a space to celebrate Hawaiian culture.
The Hanau Hou Arts and Fashion Show will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday at the Crown Room at the Grand Naniloa Hotel.
Tickets are still available at tinyurl.com/cty4cu3d
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com