It's time for Honolulu fashion designers and would-be designers to come out of their closets and strut their stuff on the streets of Chinatown. The Fresh F.A.C.E. of Nu'uanu Street fair, scheduled for Oct. 14, will feature a creative fashion design competition organized by Chinatown-based designer Takeo.

It's being touted as Honolulu's version of "Project Runway," the hit reality TV show on Bravo in which designers compete for prizes and exposure that can catapult them into the New York fashion world.

"Fashion is art to me, so let's show it in Chinatown, Honolulu's art central," Takeo said.

A red carpet will stretch down Nu'uanu Avenue from Hotel Street to a stage in front of the ARTS at Marks Garage for three runway shows on Oct. 14 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Takeo is pleased to offer a free fashion show to the public, especially since most major Honolulu fashion shows are held in big hotels and cost upwards of $40 to attend.

"Hawai'i has a strong fashion heritage, but where are all the up-and-coming designers?" Takeo asked. "Maybe they just don't have a place to show their designs. This will give them a venue to show what they can do."

As in "Project Runway," the winner of the evening wear competition may have an opportunity to dress a local beauty pageant contestant, Miss Hawaii USA, in the national pageant. Winners may also have a design adopted by a local manufacturer.

Organizers hope to attract 30 to 40 designers to the Fresh F.A.C.E. show. Each designer may submit one creation in each of three categories: day wear, Hawaiian wear and evening wear. Winners in each category receive $250.

"Fashion reflects communication, history and this moment," Takeo said.

Oct. 14 could be a major fashion moment for several Island designers.

Reach Paula Rath at prath@honoluluadvertiser.com.