STYLE FILE
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
University of Hawaii students Robert Reed, Noriko Kawamoto and Nora Khoury waited in line to model their flamboyant creations at the Fresh F.A.C.E. of Nuuanu festival.
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10,000 turn out for Nuuanu fashion event
The inaugural Fresh F.A.C.E. of Nuuanu fashion competition Saturday brought 10,000 people to Nuuanu Avenue and surrounding streets for an all-day celebration of art, entertainment and fashion.
Three fashion shows were presented, with the bulk of the crowd showing up for the last one at 4:30 p.m., which had the fewest designs. Judging had taken place at 11 a.m., and many of the designers and models, with nothing to lose and already wilting in the humidity and heat, simply decided to go home.
Even so, the audience cheered Honolulu's biggest show featuring home-grown talent.
Although the show involved many students from Honolulu Community College and the University of Hawaii, as well as recent graduates, experience seem to have paid off for a handful of winners.
Frieda Hulse and Michele Henry, owners of downtown boutiques, tied in the evening gown category. Hulse created a gown with a purple bodice and billowing mauve skirt, corseted in the back, modeled by singer and actor Tani Lynn. Henry created a wispy, romantic beaded slip dress, with a plunging back line accented by a bow and flowing length of fabric.
COURTESY FRESH F.A.C.E. OF NUUANU
Sharing Most Promising Designer honors were, from left, Allan Carrell, Joyce Furuya and Dan Weaver.
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As a longtime member of Puamana who also designs for stage performances, Aima McManus won in the Hawaiian wear category for a blue strapless dress with a windowpane hem that swished and swayed to reveal layers of mesh underskirt.
The prize for day wear was shared by Kini Zamora, an HCC graduate who returned after studying in New York, and Aja Correa.
Zamora updated a three-piece women's suit with pleated details, a cropped hem and cropped sleeves that made it modern and feminine, lifting it above typical office drab.
Correa went playful with shorts and a halter top with bow detail in the back.
Also winning in the Most Promising Designer category were businessman Allan Carrell, 10-year-old Joyce Furuya and UH student Dan Weaver. This award is sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin to promote fashion design in Hawaii.
Designer Takeo, who conceived the event with Louis Pohl Gallery owner Sandy Pohl, promises "a bigger, better" event next year.
COURTESY FRESH F.A.C.E. OF NUUANU
The day's three red-carpet shows drew about 10,000 people to Nuuanu Avenue between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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COURTESY FRESH F.A.C.E. OF NUUANU
A dress of bottle caps and men's shirt adorned with fresh flora were among the designs featured in the design competition. Media judges ultimately chose more wearable garb.
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