Hawaii-born Keke Lindgard models a Bliss Lau volcano bead dress, Matt Bruening evening gown at HONOLULU Fashion Week. Photo credit: Eli Schmidt

Wherever Lynne O’Neill travels, she sees Hawaii. The Honolulu-native has spotted men sporting Hawaiian-print blazers in Singapore, Hawaiian-print backpacks in Japan and vintage floral prints in numerous store windows. “Hawaii has a wide reach and influences so many designers around the world,” she says. “It’s an exciting time … I wanted to share that with the world.”

So it was a dream come true this past year when O’Neill was asked to be the executive producer of the first ever HONOLULU Fashion Week, a three-day event showcasing the Islands’ emerging and established designers.

O’Neill works with a talented team, such as fashion stylist Don Sumada, to execute the fashion week (as well as the editorial team comprising HONOLULU Magazine and sponsor Hawaiian Airlines). The two have impressive resumes, including a combined 40 years experience directing, producing and styling shows such as the elite New York Fashion Week. For the Hawaii-born New Yorkers, it was not only the prime opportunity to highlight local talent, and the Islands themselves, but provide a welcome homecoming.

“Hawaii is having its moment,” says O’Neill. “There are a lot of designers who are redefining Hawaii fashion and Aloha wear.”

“I feel so lucky and grateful to work with Hawaii designers,” adds Sumada, who grew up in Hilo.

 

Project Runway star Kini Zamora and partner Dinko Satta unveiled their new Spring-Summer 2014 collection at HONOLULU Fashion Week in 2014. Photo credit: Ross D. Hamamura

This year’s HONOLULU Fashion Week takes place from November 20 through 22 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The second annual event builds off its debut by featuring more designers, including international designers, and an exclusive shopping marketplace featuring more than 50 Hawaii vendors, selling clothing, jewelry and home decor.

Although it’s nearly 5,000 miles away from New York City, O’Neill, Sumada and the fashion week team have replicated a true Big Apple feel for HONOLULU Fashion Week; it’s why they were hired. “We’re trying to recreate the New York fashion week runway for Hawaii, so that people in Hawaii and visitors can experience a New York style runway at the HONOLULU Fashion Week,” says O’Neill.

 

Hawaii-born Keke Lindgard models a Malia Jones Marrakesh one piece cut-out swimsuit at HONOLULU Fashion Week. Photo credit: Ross D. Hamamura

Perhaps one of the biggest differences, she says, is the sense of ohana with the local fashion week team and participants. “It’s great working with people with the Aloha spirit,” she says about her experiences thus far. “We’ve created a Honolulu Fashion Week ohana."

One of the most popular shows is the “Runway to Runway,” presented by Hawaiian Airlines. This year’s fashion show features four international designers, hailing from trendy destinations to which the airline carrier flies—as well as Honolulu-based Kaypee Soh. “It’s a diverse show, and you’ll get a taste of what they each do,” says Sumada, who has been working with each designer on the show’s looks since June. Each designer will premier 10 looks. “Runway to Runway” features menswear from New York-based Todd Snyder, eveningwear from Lie Sang Bong from Seoul, Kym Ellery from Sydney and Yukimi Kawashima from Tokyo.

HONOLULU Fashion Week’s two signature shows are “Live Aloha,” celebrating Hawaii’s diverse designers and their inventive takes on locally inspired fashion, and “Get Out!,” highlighting Hawaii’s street style and athletic and swim wear. Both shows spotlight the collections of local designers, including Allison Izu, Bliss Lau, Cameron Hawaii, Florencia Arias, Ink & Tailor, In4mation, Kini Zamora, Language of the Birds, Mahiku Activewear, Malia Jones, Matt Bruening, Moon Collective, Reyn Spooner, Roberta Oaks, Salt Liko, Sig Zane, and Tiffany Chou.

“The designers are very happy and proud to be a part of Honolulu Fashion Week,” says O’Neill. “We are able to showcase them in a different way.”

Angelo Bruno models a Saturdays Surf NYC and Sig Zane collaboration sweatshirt, Forest Cloud By Sig Uluwehi oxford shirt, Saturdays Surf NYC jeans, Cameron Hawai‘i bucket hat at HONOLULU Fashion Week. Photo Credit: David Croxford/Pacific Basin Communications

HONOLULU Fashion Week will also feature additional fashion shows, including a show featuring new looks by designer Danene Lunn, the owner and designer of Manuhealii and Hawaii Pacific Health’s “Beautiful Survivors” show featuring cancer survivors of all ages modeling Hawaii designs. And on Sunday, an open call for models will take place.