Honolulu designer targets girls with glitz on their minds

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Debra Wolfnagle's poodle, Nicholas, models the latest in canine chic from the Attitudes by Debra designer. Models Aubrey, 9 (in lavender), Maile, 5 (in green), and Autumn, 3 (in pink), show off sequined party dresses that sell upward of $150. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kids like Mick and Bianca Jagger's granddaughter, who wore an Attitudes by Debra dress to a London event and had her photo featured with Grandma Bianca in the July 2000, issue of Vogue magazine. And Jasmine Jordan daughter of Michael Jordan, whose daddy found her sequined dress at Purple Turtle in Palm Beach.

These little numbers are not for wallflowers. They're all about glitz, with sequins from neckline to hemline. Nor are they for the pocketbook-impaired, at prices of $150 to $250.

Wolfnagle said her primary children's market is on the Mainland, in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, South Beach and Houston. She targets upscale boutiques where celebrities shop, such as Space Cadets in New York and Fred Segal in Los Angeles.

She introduced Attitudes by Debra in 1994, with a sexy line of women's evening wear. A couple of years later she made a little red dress for Aubrey, the 5-year-old granddaughter of boyfriend, Peter Moix. It was such a hit that Wolfnagle was encouraged to go for the glam, expanding her women's business into a unique line of over-the-top party dresses for girls sizes 1 to 14. Moix is vice president of Attitudes by Debra and Little Attitudes by Debra.

Wolfnagle designs from her home-based studio in Kane'ohe. The clothes are manufactured in Indonesia and shipped to Honolulu. After scrutiny they are sent to the Mainland, Japan and Europe.

It's not easy maintaining her fashion business in Hawai'i. Wolfnagle travels to New York seven times a year, Dallas and Atlanta three or four times a year and Las Vegas twice. However, she said, "I love Hawai'i and the beauty here. It would be traumatic to live anywhere else."

Little Attitudes by Debra dresses are available in Honolulu at Melody Collection in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center; Hush a Bye Baby and Daniella in

Aloha Tower Marketplace; and Today's Little People in the Outrigger Reef Hotel. They are also online at AttitudesbyDebra.com.

In addition, Wolfnagle has launched a new line of canine chic. It can be ordered through SuperGroom on South Beretania Street: 949-4123.