GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Members of the Velocity Circus of San Francisco rehearse for a fashion show running tonight through Saturday on the Ala Moana Center stage.

Spring looks star in
stunt-filled shows

Fashionably dressed performers
go aerial at Ala Moana Center

Models rolling in paint? No.

Fashion shows staged in different parts of the mall? No.

'Art of Style' Acrobatic and aerial fashion show: Where: Ala Moana Centerstage When: 7 p.m. today, tommorow and Saturday Admission: Free

But it was the sixth or seventh idea that caught Ala Moana Center's attention: a fashion show combining high-wire acts and the mall's new spring line of clothing from Ann Taylor, Crazy Shirts, Cache, Tori Richard and more.

Performers will be draped in bright colors and fashionable garments while performing stunts 35 feet in the air. There will be no professional models at this signature fashion event, staged tonight through Saturday, save for Tina Kasuya, who will be working strictly behind the scenes, offering tips on wardrobe and styling.

The show, dubbed "Art of Style," promises a spectacle, combining aerial acts and diverse music, including dashes of jazz, swing, Broadway, opera, hip-hop and classical.

The performers and musicians, dressed in retailers' key looks for spring and summer, will be visible from all three levels of the mall.

Ala Moana Center wanted a colorful showcase to open Hawaii Arts Season, so its planners turned to Tim Bostock Productions.

"They wanted something splashy," said Andrew Meader, Bostock's business partner. "We knew who to call."

Enter the high-flying Velocity Circus from San Francisco, featuring former Cirque d'Soleil members. "Most of the performances are created elsewhere and brought to Hawaii, but we created this one from scratch," Meader said.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Members of San Francisco's Velocity Circus will be dressed to thrill during Ala Moana's theatrical fashion show tonight through Saturday on and above Centerstage. They were photographed rehearsing on Tuesday night.

"Every show has its challenge, and this show allowed us to use our creativity."

This isn't the first time Velocity Circus has been involved in fashion shows or product launches, but Ala Moana might be the first outdoor airspace they will be performing in.

"One of the great aspects of the Velocity Circus is that they can adapt to any theme or venue," Bostock said in a news release.

"The company has the ability to fuse together elements from ancient, contemporary and futuristic world cultures, dance, circus arts, visual arts, science, astronomy and more."

As for the other ideas proffered for the show, that might have to wait until another time, Meader said with a laugh. "We might still use those ideas."