UH Manoa’s Fashion Exhibition returns with ‘In the Multiverse’

HONOLULU (KHON2) – It is that time again here at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Their Fashion Design and Merchandising program is having their 58th annual Fashion Exhibition here at UH Manoa next week Tuesday, but this year is a little different.

So, to find out more about this year’s Fashion Exhibition, we are here with PR Committee member Haley Locke.

What is so unique about this year’s Fashion Exhibition compared to others?

“So, ‘In the Multiverse’ will be showcased through museum like exhibitions,” says Locke.

“So, the audience will get to enter the booths of these designers and get transported into their worlds. The looks will also be showcased through videographies and salon like model walking. So, the audience can really interact with the event. And this year, we have three senior collections being showcased as well as thirteen junior collections.”

Awesome, and speaking of junior designer collection, we are here with junior designer Ryan Koon.

Ryan, what are the juniors bringing for this year’s Fashion Exhibition?

“So, this year, we made swim wear so that is our focus, and we have two separate themes which is celestial grace, which is a lighter goddess theme, and then we have Lunar Abyss which is a darker goddess theme. So, it is just centered around that,” says Koon.

As Haley mentioned, there are three senior collections within this year’s exhibition and we are so fortunate to have those three senior designers here with us today.

We are joined by senior designer Hokumalie Serna,

Hokumalie, what is your fashion inspired by for this year’s exhibition?

“My senior collection is inspired by music artists that I grew up listening to,” says Serna.

“This look actually inspired by the Latin artist called Selena. So, one of her songs is called “Como La Flor” and so I sewed all chiffon flowers just for this look.”

Now we have senior designer Quinn Curammeng.

Quinn, what is the inspiration for your fashion this year?

“The inspiration for mine is K-Pop aesthetic street wear,” says Curammeng.

“I really wanted to focus on something that can be stage presence but also be seen in a music video, perhaps. So, I used a lot of high-end, expensive looking fabrics. Something very shiny, eye catching, and I did a lot of interesting closures and cut outs on his outfit,” says Curammeng.

Finally, we have senior designer Khat Bautista.

Khat, what was the decision for all the garments that you guys have chosen?

“For this group collection, we decided to focus on sustainability,” says Bautista.

“So, here I chose Maui Island. So, I chose the lokelani and I used the pink hues, and this collection is basically repurposing clothing and aloha attire. This outfit is made from three aloha shirts.”

Again, this is the 58th annual Fashion Exhibition will take place on Tuesday, April 30th from 5:30-8pm.

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Doors open at 5pm.

For all the information and to get your tickets before it is too late, click here.