Governor’s Fashion Award Winners Announced
Posted on Nov 1, 2013 in Helping Business, News
Hawaii Fashion Month culminated with the prestigious Governor’s Fashion Awards at The Modern Honolulu on October 30, 2013. Headlining the black-tie affair was Governor Neil Abercrombie, DBEDT Director Richard Lim, along with the movers, shakers and fashionistas of Hawaii’s fashion industry, to honor the past, present and future of the industry. The event also recognized Pua Rochelin of Surf Line with the Lifetime Achievement Award and celebrated major local fashion milestones including Hilo Hattie’s 50th anniversary and ‘Iolani Sportswear’s year of business.
The awards, held at The Modern Honolulu, and hosted by the Hawaii Fashion Incubator with support from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, were the finale to the inaugural Hawaii Fashion Month – a month that put Hawaii fashion in the spotlight and raised awareness of the potential to grow fashion as a billion dollar industry for the State.
“With established Hawaii fashion brands evolving and new generations of designers emerging from throughout the islands, we will soon be considered the ‘Paris of the Pacific’,” said Dale Hope, author of The Aloha Shirt, and MC throughout the evening. “Hawaii Fashion Month brought everyone in Hawaii’s fashion industry together for one action-packed exciting month.”
The evening featured a runway show produced by Ralph Malani capturing the evolution of Hawaii fashion from the colorful tropical prints and designs of the 50s through to the globally-inspired looks of today’s local designers. Guests were entertained by local musicians Mahi Crabbe and Aiden James.
The 2013 Governor’s Fashion Award Winners Include
Lifetime Achievement Honoree
David “Pua” Rochlen of Jams World
Established Designer of the Year
Fighting Eel
Emerging Designer of the Year
Coradorables
Major Retailer of the Year
Hilo Hattie
Boutique Retailer of the Year
Muumuu Heaven
Designer – Contemporary
Andy South
Designer – Aloha
Kealopiko
Designer – Couture/Formal
Anne Namba Designs
Designer – Jewelry
Jason Dow
Photographer of Year
Harold Julian Photography
Wardrobe Stylist of the Year
Amos Kotomori
Beauty Professional of the Year (Hair, Make-Up, Products)
Paul Brown Salon
Outstanding Professional (Production, Models, Talent, Manufacturing, Arts, Industry Advocate)
Don Kang of Hilo Hattie
About Hawai‘i Fashion Month (HFM)
HFM is a community-driven initiative of the Hawaii Fashion Incubator (Hifi) and the Hawaii state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), specifically the Business Development Support Division and the Creative Industries Division.
The month-long HFM celebration is an opportunity to raise the profile of Hawaii as a unique, creative and progressive fashion destination while bringing sustainable growth to the local industry, which comprises design, manufacturing, retail, art, education and more.
Hawaii Fashion Month supports the year-round efforts of the Hawaii Fashion Incubator. Hifi provides a central resource for fashion information, networking and advocacy. The Hifi COOP at Ward Warehouse is a hub for designers and artists to create, showcase and sell their collections, in addition to being a venue for fashion classes and workshops. Membership in Hifi is open to all members of the industry as well as those that want to support and grow Hawaii fashion.
To learn more at the Hawaii Fashion Month Website. Visit the Hawaii Fashion Incubator Website to join.
BDSD/DBEDT
The Business Development & Support Division (BDSD), promotes industry development and economic diversification in Hawaii by supporting existing and emerging industries, attracting new investment and businesses that can create more skilled, quality jobs in the state, and work to increase exports of Hawaii products and services. Business support provides new and existing businesses direct loans, licensing and permit information and referral, business advocacy, planning and coordination of programs and projects aimed at specific business sectors or economically-distressed areas (including rural areas and areas affected by natural disaster).
CID/DBEDT
The Creative Industries Division (CID) in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) is Hawaii’s lead agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s creative economy. Through initiatives, program development and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches expand the business capacity of Hawaii’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries. Comprising the Hawaii Film Office (HFO) and the Arts and Culture Development Branch (ACDB), CID connects creative communities locally and globally, in order to increase Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs’ capacity for export and monetization of their intellectual property. For more information, visit Hawaii’s Creative Industries Website.
Read more from the Hawaii Fashion Incubator.
