Hawai'i's fashion elite honored in ceremony
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Fashion Writer
The Hawai'i fashion industry strutted its stuff last week on a runway designed to look like a 1950s island-style living room.
Seventeen designers and manufacturers presented their latest collections in the 16th annual Governor's Fashion Awards.
Gov. Ben and Vicki Cayetano honored the industry by presenting the awards.
The First Lady's Best in Show award went to You and Me, Naturally. The company's prints were eye-catching, with dramatic tropical flowers floating on black, as well as fresh red-and-white pareo prints in sassy styles. A dramatic duster over cigarette-leg pants earned applause.
Adasa Hawai'i served up sexy '40s-style swimsuits as well as tummy-baring pants with tiny, layered silk chiffon tops.
Donna Loren's signature bright prints are now in French chiffon with nylon lycra.
Mamo went all white with necklines plunging to the waist (clever engineering kept them from being X-rated) and Dorothy Lamour-looking retro styles.
Other awards:
- Manufacturer of the Year, Traditional: Reyn Spooner.
- Manufacturer of the Year, Contemporary: Iolani/Young Hawaii.
- Manufacturer of the Year, Unique/Lifestyle: Leighton Lam Designs.
- Retailer of the Year, specialty: Martin & MacArthur.
- Retailer of the Year, general: Sears.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ruth Kerr, a retired sales representative for Robert Kaufman Co., a fabric converter (featured in Island Style Tuesday).
- First Hawaiian Bank's Power of Yes Award for Outstanding Achievement went to Linda Foley of Island Bias & Quilting.
In 1998, Foley bought the ailing Kaka'ako service business dedicated to producing bias and trim for Hawai'i's garment industry. She revived the company's idle quilting machines and put them to work creating a line of home fashions that include 100-percent cotton bedding, table linens, cushion covers and drapes.
Under the labels "Vintage Hawai'i," "In Full Bloom," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Postmarked Paradise," Island Bias & Quilting has grown from sales of $112,000 in 1998 to $1.75 million in 2001.
The work force has increased from two to 12 employees.
