Despite a funding source drying up, the (fashion) show must go on

The show might not have gone on for the second annual FACE of Nuuanu Fashion Show, centerpiece of last year's Fashion Week, when a promised source of funding dried up.

Founders Takeo, Eric Eugene Kamakahia'ai Chandler and gallery owner Sandy Pohl seriously considered canceling the event as recently as two weeks ago, but that fashion world mantra, "Make it work," frequently reinforced by "Project Runway" style guru Tim Gunn, took hold.

Recalling the movie, "The 300," Chandler said, "We're like 300 fashion Spartans. That defines fashion because, first of all, you've got to do everything to make it work. You have to have the right shoes, the right makeup, you have to have that totality, and you have to have the greatest passion for people to follow you."

Takeo and Chandler got on the phone and raised enough funds throughout the community to allow the show to go on, though on a smaller scale than last year's event. There will be no stage, and the show will cover a shorter distance of Nuuanu Avenue, between Chaplain Lane and Hotel Street. But this year also marks the arrival of a guest designer, Michael Kaye, from New York.

Also key to the show is the energy of local designers young and old, about 30 strong, and their models, for whom the event offers an audience of 10,000 -- if the past is an indication.

This year, the youngest designer is 9-year-old Tiger Tam, who is creating a Chinese dancer-inspired ensemble. Designers will be vying for four awards of $500 each in evening, day, Hawaiian and resort categories.

The scope of the event may not be as grand as they had hoped, Takeo said, "But it still gives hope for the next generation of designers. Someone's life can be transformed with the encouragement of the community."

Even the prospect of October rains won't dampen their plans.

"We'll send models out with umbrellas," Chandler said. "There's lots of umbrellas in Chinatown."

Honolulu Fashion Week Finale Today » Hawaii Fashion Museum: Display of 1940s-to-current fashion by local designers, Pegge Hopper Gallery, 1164 Nuuanu Ave., during gallery hours through Monday. » 5th "Urban Pacific Fashion Show": Designs by Manovich, Leah Evans, Allisonizu, La Pistil and Lornnie Louie, 5 to 10 p.m. at Next Door, 43 N. Hotel St. (25 seated, $10 standing). After party ($10) for 21 and older, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. » "Huna Aloha: A Retrospective Aloha Shirts and Swimwear" display at Ramsay Gallery, 1128 Smith St., 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday » FACE of Nuuanu Festival: Free fashion show on Nuuanu Avenue, between Hotel Street and Chaplain Lane. Main show at 11 a.m., repeats on smaller scale at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.