High drama, urban attitude color fashions at HCC show

Left: Natasha McKenzie's "Ghetto Diva" collection gave off an edgy vibe. Center: The bride wore black in this piece from the "Park Avenue Princess" collection by Kini Zamora. Right: A flair for the dramatic was evident in this creation by aspiring costume designers Kini Zamora and Kawika Ganitano. Photos by Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Style Writer

It was all about attitude and asymmetry as students from Honolulu Community College's fashion technology program strutted their stuff in "Groove," a high-energy, heart-stopping show of original fashions.

The young designers tweaked the trends and made them their own with edgy urban collections that included Hawaiian wear, street wear, swimwear and evening gowns.

The unexpected Vegas-style show opener had two dancers in cellophane hula skirts and Hawaiian-print tube tops gyrating to a Tahitian beat. The skirts were thrown off to reveal low-rise jeans and kicks (sneakers), as the music and movement segued into street dancing. In quick succession came salsa, acrobatics and disco a la John Travolta.

The swimwear segment, "Carwash," was a nod to the fund-raisers put on throughout the year to support the show. Styles were distinctly Versace-esque, in neon brights with sexy cutouts, halters and bare-to-there backs.

HCC cosmetology students outdid themselves with outrageous hair from the '60s and '70s: beehives, up-dos and falls.

"Hawaii 5-0," the Hawaiian wear segment, was not matching mu'u mu'u and aloha shirts. Layers of hand-printed chiffon, lacy bustiers, a Carmen Miranda silk satin ensemble and a Roberto Cavalli-style jacket with lace-up back added edge to the aloha.

During the street-wear segment, the pairing of a denim pencil skirt with classic white shirt was spiked with a red satin bustier that laced up the back. Tailored jackets took on sex appeal when paired with fringed minis.

Striking kimono-style coats with floor-length sleeves lined in hot orange took to the ramp alongside gold layered lace and what looked like the waist bands of GAP men's briefs deconstructed and sewn together to make a tube top.

The piece de resistance was a "Bat Girl" confection with sculptural, spiky, diaphanous gray wings spanning the width of the runway.

These students, having paid their dues in a challenging curriculum under department head Joy Nagaue, seem ready for the tough world of fashion. The show was produced by 10 featured graduates and 20 underclassmen, with guidance from Nagaue and Tara Chanel-Thompson, the school's instructor in fashion production.