Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, February 2, 2017 9 models walking throughout the venue,” says Kierkiewicz, who co-chairs the Zonta Fashion Frenzy events with Elyse Robinson. Tickets are $65, which includes food and a wine bar by Kadota Liquor. Next up is the second biennial Friday Night Market from 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 10 at Sangha Hall. The market features nearly 45 fashion, art and food pop-ups, specialty cocktails (including a shiso mojito and a cherry ginger mule), craft beer and wine, live music, photo booth and mini fashion shows each hour on the hour. There is no cover charge and all ages are welcome. “In 2015, we did the night market in an old warehouse,” Kierkiewicz says. “There was a hurricane advisory and it was pouring rain, but during the course of three hours, a little over 800 people showed up. This year, we will be doing it at Sangha Hall, but it will still have that same night market feel.” She adds that many designers and boutiques will be featuring their latest lines during the fashion shows and releasing new products at the market. Participating vendors at the Friday night market include Cherry Blossom Bottoms, Coconut Girl Jewelry, Cultivar, HANAXSWIM, Peace of Hawaii Ocean Trends, Simply Sisters, The Boutique, Wehi Designs, Stay Humble Pray, Sassy Wahine Designs, Hokuao Creations, Jana Lux, Sugar Cane N Coconuts and many more. The Zonta Fashion Frenzy finale runway fashion show caps off the weekend Feb. 11 at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, featuring some of Hawaii’s leading and emerging designers. Zonta Club of Hilo provides the models for the fashion shows. Some of the models have professional experience, but there also is a fair share of women who represent a wide age range and body types. “It’s important to us to show the diversity of our community,” Kierkiewicz explains. “You can identify with these models: They look like me. I could definitely wear that. Fashion has the ability to empower. When you feel good, you feel like you can tackle anything.” Headliners of this year’s show are Koa Johnson of Kojo Couture (Maui) and Lauren Hayashibara of 19th & Whimsy (Oahu). They are joined by Alohiwai, Wehi Designs, Colors of Life, Simply Sisters, Vested Interest Hawaii and Hana Hou Hilo. Tickets are $60 and include the show followed by a pupu reception and exclusive shopping experience with the designers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the show starts at 6 p.m. “Both Kojo Couture and 19th & Whimsy bring a special ‘wow’ factor to the show so we’re very excited that they are participating,” Kierkiewicz says. “Even the local designers that have participated before will be bringing something fresh to the stage.” Johnson, the owner/ designer of Kojo Couture, has an edgy aesthetic and focuses mainly on bridal and pageantry gowns. After earning his associate’s degree form the University of Hawaii Maui College fashion technology program, he became a teacher in the same program. “I would do fashion shoots with my friends on the side to build my own portfolio, and I’d post my stuff on social media,” says Johnson, who was one of 10 featured designers for the Honolulu Museum of Art’s “Hawaii in Design” exhibition. “The owner of White Hot Hawaii bridal boutique on Oahu saw my photos and contracted me to do custom gowns.” It was everything he ever wanted to do but didn’t know how to do it from Maui. “It was never appealing to me to see my stuff on a rack,” he says. “I went into fashion more for the art aspect than how I could make money quickly.” Johnson’s creations are one-of-a-kind handsewn pieces with lavish details such as imported lace and hand beading. “I enjoy fashion shows and doing things on the other islands to bring awareness to the fashion scene here in Hawaii,” says Johnson of his desire to participate in the Zonta Fashion Frenzy. “We have to find places to have events like this to promote the artists in our communities. Fashion in Hawaii is moving in a greater direction.” California native Hayashibara, the owner/ designer of 19th & Whimsy, moved to Oahu even though she was living in Los Angeles — considered a hub of the fashion industry. Although the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising was nearby, she opted for a bachelor’s degree in apparel product design and merchandising from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She returned to L.A. to work as an assistant designer and assistant merchandiser for a short time but came back to Hawaii in 2011 to start 19th & Whimsy, a clothing line where contemporary fashion intersects with an element of whimsy — be it an exclusive print, embellishment or a bit of sparkle. Hayashibara sells her creations on Etsy and at several small Oahu boutiques. For the Zonta Fashion Frenzy show, she will feature her spring/ summer 2017 collection which is full of neutral colors, contemporary basics and textured knits. She also will launch her exclusive rainbow pineapple print in tanks, dresses and high-waisted shorts. “If I had stayed in L.A., I don’t think I would have started my own line,” Hayashibara says. “I draft all my patterns, cut and sew almost everything myself, and I use local printers and manufacturers. So many companies go overseas and I think there’s a value in having things made in America and also having handmade items.” The Zonta Club of Hilo is hoping to build an event in East Hawaii that is similar to Oahu’s Honolulu Fashion Week, eventually adding workshops, panel discussions or presentations by visiting designers, as well as engaging downtown Hilo businesses in hosting fashion exhibits and conducting walking tours. “Beyond that, Zonta Fashion Frenzy vendors donate a portion of their proceeds to our foundation,” Kierkiewicz says. “The idea is to eventually create a fashion institute — an incubator or co-work space for those interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry. It’s all about creating new industry, and people like the idea of buying things made right here in paradise.” She adds that the Zonta Club of Hilo is creating a venue for local designers and women operated businesses to showcase their unique talents and products. “In addition to spotlighting local creatives, the Zonta aims to position Hawaii Island as the ideal manufacturing hub for all things fashion across the state,” Kierkiewicz says. The Zonta Club of Hilo aims to make the Zonta Fashion Frenzy an annual event in the future, and even add more events to the lineup. “I think there’s enough interest for us to do this on a regular basis,” Kierkiewicz says. All event proceeds go to the Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation to support local service projects, including “Pay it Forward,” a program that provides micro-grants to women starting or expanding a business; scholarships for young women furthering their education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business and nursing; and a “Dress for Success” program to benefit Hawaii Island women in need. In 2015, as part of the Zonta Fashion Frenzy, the club commissioned a mural of Malala Yousafzai, a children’s and women’s rights activist, and plans to do another mural this year of Amelia Earhart, a Zontian and trailblazing aviator. “We want largescale, public art portraits of strong, empowering women throughout the community to inspire all of us to do good,” Kierkiewicz explains. The Zonta Club of Hilo was founded in 1950 and is part of Zonta International, a global organization whose mission is to empower women through service and advocacy. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ZontaFashion- Frenzy.org. FASHION From page 6 Koa Johnson Lauren Hayashibara
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