TheBuzz Erika Engle

Hawaii fashion industry group struts its stuff

Co-founded by Melissa White and Toby Portner in 2006, the Hawaii Fashion Incubator, or Hifi, for short, has large goals.

"We started in 2005 basically as two people interested in fashion, meeting regularly and talking about how we both wished there was more of a community around fashion," said White.

There used to be such an organization. The Hawaii Fashion Industry Association was focused on the local fashion industry until its 13-year life span came to an end in 2003.

White and Portner begat Hifi through mentors, designers and friends, oh my. It wants to see establishment of a permanent home for the University of Hawaii costume collection.

"It is one of the largest in the country," White said.

It comprises museum-quality garments and textiles from the 1800s -- "maybe the 1700s" -- including Hawaiian and Polynesian textiles.

"It's really something -- and could be a great resource for both the fashion and the larger community," she said.

Development of a fashion district is another of Hifi's goals, as are expanding Hawaii's fashion week and getting Hawaii's fashion industry and scene greater international attention.

"Those are some of the big things we're thinking about. In the meantime, we're just trying to build the community and compile resources," White said.

Hifi obtained nonprofit status last month through Community Links Hawaii, "essentially a nonprofit incubator, providing 501(c)(3) status, organizational development and administrative infrastructure to help good projects get going the right way," said Josh Levinson, Community Links president.

Hifi kicks off its official membership program tomorrow night with a fashion show during the 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Candy Bar party at Pearl Ultralounge at Ala Moana Center.

It will feature works by five local designers including Hifi co-founder Portner. The fashion show is not for the faint of bedtime -- it starts at 10:30 p.m.

By participating in Candy Bar, Hifi hopes to reach some of the younger crowd, but they also plan "non-late-night events that cater to people that go to bed early, which usually includes me," White chuckled.

Memberships are for fashion enthusiasts, fashion professionals and people related to the fashion industry such as photographers and models.

Hifi can be joined online for $40 or $60, but people can also sign up for a monthly newsletter for free, at hifi.onefireplace.org.

The membership page will eventually be folded into the main Hifi site at www.hawaiifashion.org.