Posted on: Sunday, April 24, 2005

Young designers put on fashion show

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Each year, a new crop of young designers is unleashed on the world after paying dues in the Department of Apparel Product Design and Merchandising at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

Before the students are allowed to graduate, however, they must pass an exhaustive final exam: designing and producing a full-on fashion show.

This year's show is called "Menagerie: a Collection" and features a preview of lines created by the junior class as well as senior designer lines, Red Carpet (couture), Eye Candy (men's wear) and Fantasy (an image-versus-reality theme).

These students hope to move on to careers as retail buyers, managers, visual merchandisers, textile and apparel designers and entrepreneurs.

The planning and execution of a major fashion event provides them with invaluable "real world" experience.

The show will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 24, in the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Tickets cost $28 and include lunch.

For tickets, call 956-2244. For information, write janmock@hawaii.edu.